A Neat and Clean House vs Children

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
A Neat and Clean House vs Children
2597
Tue, 07-27-2010 - 8:35am

For those of you who like a neat and clean house, how do you keep it that way with children?

I find that if I am tied to goal of having a neat and clean house, I become a raging shrew against my children as they proceed to undo all the neatness I have worked so hard to attain. If I made a "neat and clean house" my goal, my children would not have their messy projects that take days/weeks to complete. My children would not pick up a book (casually left out)as they walk through the family room and browse through- discovering once again the mother actually knows about a few good books. I would let them watch more tv/computer time, as they don't make things as messy when they do. I would squash their ideas if I thought it would make too much of a mess. I wouldn't let them cook/experiment in the kitchen- as it is usually more work for me to clean up after they have "cleaned up". So, how do you inspire creativity and imagination in a neat and clean house? Are you on top of them to put things away as soon as they are done even if it is temporary? Where do you put the legos?....... Have you ever allowed them to take over the living room with all of their toys arranged in a city complex (thomas the train things were the Metro, legos and blocks were the buildings....)? How long would it stay up? Would let it be up for the summer so they could add to and change tings around as they got new ideas? Or allowed them to take over half of the family room for a month+ while they build and live in a beaver lodge (using all the empty shoe and other boxes and some that weren't empty)? Even if you have to walk around it everyday to get to the kitchen? Or do you require that all toys be put away everyday?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:25pm

I'm looking forward to Target's school supplies going on clearance, I stock up for the next school year when those go dirt cheap.


Since we have to provide so many postits, dryerase markers, etc it is really good deals.


I bought a game about fractions there the other evening for just a few dollars, yes, I'm Christmas shopping!


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:26pm
I know! Gotta have them.

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:26pm

You get coupons for meat?


We don't eat much frozen vegetables, frozen pastas, frozen bread items, french fries or tater tots, potato wedges, etc.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:27pm

If the grandparents get the kids a gift that requires batteries, they always include a package (taped to the back) with said gift.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2009
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:27pm

Got it - you don't wish to analyze. Let me know if you'd like to be able to compare - My teen math wiz lives for this type of stuff.

Rayovac double As vs Duracell double As. We go Rayovac every time for real time 50% savings.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:27pm
lol!! I buy 5 lbs. of ground meat from Costco (range from $11-13) and just divide it into 2 freezer bags when I get home. Costco sells steak in 2's, I divide that. I divide the pork chops. I don't get to divide the veal cutlets as I bought 16 for $16 one day and we ate them ALL for dinner that night-lol!! They were not very big but oh so good.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2009
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:27pm
Well, if anything, that proves you're not Max Chandler. Max always finished her Christmas shopping in January. (Well, that and she always got up at 4:30am sharp)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:28pm

Oh yes, I often have $5 off Angus steaks, $5 off chicken, etc


Store sends them based on what I buy using my savings card and all meat is bought at that particular store so abundance shows up.


Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:28pm

Yes, I do that when I buy gifts too.


Sometimes their one grandparent (who sends them gifts) will remember batteries.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Tue, 08-03-2010 - 8:29pm
What?

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

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