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: 03-27-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:58pm

Honestly? If someone called me and asked me, I'd tell them we are not fussy and not to go to too much trouble. I'd feel weird giving them any sort of list of likes/dislikes. It would embarrass me if someone brought over that much food.

I had meals brought to me when two of my kids were born, mostly from a church group. I actually was the organizer of it for a couple of years. No one ever gave a list of likes/dislikes when I called. The only specifics I ever got were how many people in the family and if food allergies were involved. Other than that, you got what you got. Most people are just grateful to have anything so it doesn't occur to them to actually give any sort of list of things they would like. I certainly can't imagine telling someone, "Well, I'm craving XYZ..."

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 1:59pm
ha! Your Mom and my Mom would have gotten along. :)

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Kitty

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Kitty

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:00pm
However you do it is fine. I've always asked because I want to specialize the meal. I like to ask if they are really craving something. Sometimes after being in the hospital and not having an appetite for a few days once they return home they may say "you know, I'd love to have some good ol' fried chicken" then I want to be sure I take care of that for them. That is WHY I ask.

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:02pm

.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.

so your earlier answer to my point blank question "People request flowers with their meal?" was a lie? You said they don't, you just spontaneously ALWAYS bring flowers, it's The Southern Way.

Why don't you mull it over a bit, pick one of those answers, and get back to me.

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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 .

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:09pm

But, my point is ... I. don't. want. people cooking for me.


Yes, you'll say "But I'm speaking of what I would do if a preference of food was put on the list".

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:10pm
I. hate. sweet. tea.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:12pm
nicely said.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:13pm
Not exactly.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:16pm
You know, I'm exhausted just from reading all the information I'd have to provide to the association ... can't imagine taking the time to do all that if I truly was in a crisis and needed help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:18pm

I wish I could remember where I was last weekend when I saw dried flower arrangements stuck in the little alcoves where the pay phones used to be.


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