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: 03-02-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:49pm
I love me some sweet tea. The *sweeter* the better.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:49pm

Just wondering.


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:49pm

Um no, but you implied that it was unusual for someone to feel like I did.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:50pm

I was talking about close friends, you were not?


As far as the neighbors again (as I've stated several times to you) if they aren't interested then they should decline the board member when they are asked if they would like this done for them. I do it all the time. Very simple.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:51pm
n/t

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:56pm

How does the need get addressed without awkwardness if the sweet tea has already been served?


I'm truly curious, as a person with special dietary needs who often feels awkward about raising the subject after being served something that I really can not have.


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:58pm
Well see, that's how we always made tea.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 2:59pm

I just love doing these things for people. I think delivery is the best part. It is so exciting!


I like to make sure I have people's favorites. Like one girlfriend loves this special kind of shrimp so I want to make sure she gets it. I know shrimp is one of her big favorites because there is a restaurant that has a special shrimp dish and she will call me at 9 and say lets go get some shrimp and tea and we go ha


I also like to try out new recipe ideas. One girlfriend loves to try new things so I made her my Paula Deen recipe baked beans and she was calling my mobile phone before I got out of the neighborhood ha She said surprise me on the dessert and knowing she would just love it I made her a pina colada pie, yeah, she called me later that evening again to rave over all of it and discuss that dessert that was wonderful.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:01pm

of course it doesn't and my circle isn't small that hasn't been my experience over the years


Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:03pm
i don't like sweet tea.

 

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