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: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:20pm

<< Like I said, whatever works for the person in need is high priority.>>


That is not the way your posts come across.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:21pm
Or elderly people. Or once, me. I am quite capable of changing a tire under normal circumstances. Once, though, I got a flat, and no matter what I did, I could not get those stupid bolts to turn. I ended up calling AAA, and I was glad that the big burly guy there also had trouble getting them to turn. He finally had to resort to some machine thing to get those bolts loosened and he told me that a lot of garages are tightening them too tight with power equipment.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:22pm

<>


Only after you were pushed on the issue.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:23pm
I love flowers, and I always have fresh flowers in the house, but I have them delivered monthly or cut them from my own garden. I appreciate the gesture, really, but again, they are more meaningful from the gardens of friends or people I care about rather than from strangers.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:24pm
I do not like to ask people to do for me what I am perfectly capable of doing myself. I do not play "damsel in distress" with any degree of believability since my family and friends see me as a fairly competent human being.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:26pm

Then you would decline flowers. simple.


I enjoy them. Many do.


When you put together something for people you find out these things before you get everyone organized in their efforts to do something. It really is easy that way to do only what is a pleasure and to save time, effort and dollars for things you have no use.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:30pm

Again, we ask! One of my girlfriends is having surgery next week. We ask may we bring you dinner. What are you favorites? Would you like us to bring and serve it? Would you prefer we bring and you take care of it yourself? Give us an idea of your favorite flowers. Do your kids need movie rentals? (w/the world of on demand movies and pay perview this is not something that is usable much these days). We ask for favorite desserts and I know this family well but I am careful about allergies (for example people know no peanuts, tree nuts, or peanut butter products or even products than contain peanut oils in this house due to allergy).


That is how we do it. That is how I do it personally. This is how church does it. Apparently this is the way the neighborhood association does it in reading those emails.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:30pm

I'm competent myself and yet, no one i know would even think to look down on me for calling AAA to service my car -- for a flat or for any other reason.


LOL.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:32pm
No, initial response was directed from my own personal experience. I can never speak for others, locally or otherwise. Only w/what I know and what I see before me.

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 12:35pm
Yes, as I've stated several times, I don't. I'm quiet. I"m a very private lady. I'm very independent. For us my dh and I would rather he prepare something if I'm sick. He brings me flowers all the time. The thought is appreciated and I'm thankful for wonderful friends and a fabulous family but really we (dh and I) prefer to take care of ourselves.

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

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