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 - 3:26pm

Can't speak for Ms. Bookay, but I believe that I've been driving probably about as long as she has and I am sure that I've changed at least 15-20 tires during that time.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:26pm
ITA and I don't think it means one is less independent either.

Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2008
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:27pm
Part of driving responsibly, imo, is being able to change one's own tire. When I went through Driver's Ed, you couldn't pass until you changed the tire in under 15 minutes.



I would have taken drivers ed somewhere else then. I've had drivers licenses in four different states, it's never been a problem to get my license and I totally disagree that it's part of driving responsibly. When you are changing your tire, you aren't driving at all.

Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.' -Kahlil Gibran



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"The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding."
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:29pm
Do you not think they *could* learn these things as an adult? How often have they had to change a tire, sew on a button, iron a shirt as children?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:31pm
I have had one flat tire in decades of driving and it was so close to home that I just walked.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:32pm
I thought I was the *odd* one out too as I took drivers education decades ago and we never changed a tire. Maybe that was before AAA?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:32pm

ITA


-Arranging to have it done demonstrates just as much responsibility as doing it one's self-


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2008
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:36pm
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.



Wheelchair bound and those missing arms and legs are not the only disabled people. There are plenty of people with arthritis and back problems who are disabled, but able to walk, and have all their limbs, and can drive.



If however, her argument is "I'm just a weak, puny girl", well.... tough.



Not "tough." I could have the garage keep the bolts loose enough that I can untighten them, but then it would probably be unsafe to drive. And not tough because it's totally unnecessary, since this weak, puny girl always carries her cell phone and a credit card, and is a capable, independent woman. I have never had a flat I couldn't get someone else to change for me; either out of kindness or for a fee, I get it done just as well as anyone who can do it on their own.



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



And I thought you knew me well enough to know I have physical limitations due to a chronic illness, that even without my size would prevent me from doing something that required that much gripping strength.

Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.' -Kahlil Gibran



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Ten Rules for Being Human


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"The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding."
Malcolm Gladwell Blink

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2008
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:37pm
How is she intruding? She said she asks if they want it or someone asks what they need first.

Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.' -Kahlil Gibran



Photobucket

Photobucket


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Ten Rules for Being Human


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"The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding."
Malcolm Gladwell Blink

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 3:40pm
Same here. It was a family requirement to learn before we got our driver's license.

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