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: 11-22-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:04pm

The only place I've ever been unable to get unsweetened tea was Philadelphia.


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:05pm
It's funny, I never, ever drink sweet tea at home. But if I am in the southeast, as soon as I drive over the state line into Tennessee, I am all about the sweet tea and barbecue.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:05pm

I'm always open and welcome to offer other selections. If I receive a "no thank you" I then will ask "would you like ice water, coffee, lemonade or pepsi".


When I put a meal on the table I always say please look over the buffet line and see if there is anything that is not here that I may provide for you. Of course if I'm serving hashbrown casserole and grits asking me for mashed potatoes at that moment isn't something I can help you with (although I'd love to) but the idea is that everyone is accomodated, maybe someone wants sour cream w/their hashbrown entree for example.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:07pm
oh the bbq, oh yes, love us some good bbq!

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:09pm
Are you a teacher?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:18pm
I think where Polkadot lives this is a very common & popular drink. If she is as consederate as she sounds she will know or ask if you would like some sweet tea and then you would be able to tell her why you can not have it.
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:18pm
I agree. My dad taught me to change a tire some 35 years ago, but I haven't had to change one in years. I could probably figure it out if I had to, but I'd be more comfortable calling AAA. I don't see anything unsafe or irresponsible about that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2008
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:21pm
If I can go almost 24 years driving without having to change my own tires on my car all by my wee little self, I wouldn't call changing one's own tires a "basic life skill." Feeding, sheltering, clothing yourself, but not changing tires. I might go for "the ability to arrange for the work to be done" as a basic life skill. I never just abandoned my car on the side of the road forever because it got a flat. Arranging to have it done demonstrates just as much responsibility as doing it one's self.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:23pm
I disagree and count things like being able to change a tire, sew on a button, iron a shirt, etc as basic life skills. I do not want my children leaving home without these skills.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:23pm

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


ok, this makes more sense.

 

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