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: 02-04-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:43pm

I make exceptions for physical disabilities. If she's wheelchair bound or missing her arms or legs, then I apologize. I should have been more clear.

If however, her argument is "I'm just a weak, puny girl", well.... tough. I have, in every statement on this topic, been quite clear that this is my own personal opinion, to which I'm entitled.

Harmony knows me well enough to know I have the occasional one to which she disagrees and the reverse is also true.

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Kitty

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Kitty

"If you can't annoy somebody with what you write, I think there's little point in writing."-- Kingsley Amis, British novelist, 1971 t .

Avatar for turtleemom
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:43pm

My son is adopted from overseas and the last thing I wanted was people (friends or family) stopping by while we were getting adjusted to a jet lagged baby, sleep deprivation and interrupting our family time.

Avatar for mommy2amani
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:46pm

<Yes, I know. My friend works for WW as a director herself.>


Yes, you know MY reaction to a thin person at a WW meeting?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:46pm
I wouldn't refuse the flowers; that would be rude. I would throw them out once you left and then spend the next hour or two cleaning since you just infested my house with pollen.

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Kitty

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Kitty

"If you can't annoy somebody with what you write, I think there's little point in writing."-- Kingsley Amis, British novelist, 1971 t .

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:48pm

People are different and how they do things and how they want things and how they live is all different. I'm thankful for that. Makes for a wonderful world imho.


Then the people should decline the

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:50pm

I was stating that I doubt that would really be some one's reaction I would think. At least if they thought it I don't think they would really say it out loud or even give any type of unfriendly or questioning look.


Not distracted by the tv, I have no idea what is on the tv or what channel the tv is on.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:53pm

As far as the neighborhood emails go then they address if flowers are okay and place any restricitons (please don't take roses, there is an allergy). Or no flowers please.


As far as friends, I know the girlfriend having surgery next week loves hydrangeas so that is what I'll be taking post-surgery to her home and will be coordinating a meal of all her favorites.


Another girlfriend I asked to see what her favorite flowers are (and that it would be okay to bring flowers to her home)


Everyone knows you can always bring me flowers and I'll put them by the latest flowers my hubby has brought me


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

Avatar for mommy2amani
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:54pm

It's obvious that Dot does these things for her own pleasure, regardless of the impact on the recipient.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:54pm

As should everyone.


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:57pm

It's the method of infusing the sugar (or sweeteneer because it works with Splenda and Equal, too) in the tea solution while the water it still very hot, so once the mixture cools, the sweetener remains fully infused (and doesn't sink to the bottom where you have to keep mixing it).

Most Southerners who have adopted this relatively new affectation act like it's some huge Southern mystery, but basically all they have discovered is what happens when you make a simple syrup (which is really common in traditional French cooking, but in French cooking it usually gets reduced to an actual syrup (for making tarts, pies, fruit sauce reductions, that kind of thing).

Basically, you boil the water, take it off the heat, add the tea bags let them steep and then while the water is still quite hot, add buttloads of sugar (or sweetener), mix very well and permit it to cool. Et voila! Sweet tea.

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Kitty

Proud member of the Rainbow Poop Debate Squad

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Kitty

"If you can't annoy somebody with what you write, I think there's little point in writing."-- Kingsley Amis, British novelist, 1971 t .

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