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 - 9:15pm

I make my iced tea with saccharin and Joel's with sugar. We don't do sun tea, we just make it the way I've always made it (and yes, it's always been with the syrup rather than adding sweetener to tea) and use different sweeteners.

Personally, I prefer saccharin to other artificial sweeteners. The potential health risks associated with saccharin are less immediate and require far more exposure than those associated with other sweeteners.


Zombie-proofing.jpg picture by Lauren1063



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:16pm

My questions were prompted by the amount of food you seem to consider necessary for one meal. Since I can't see you (and ftr, I am about 35, down from 40, pounds overweight), I asked. And I did mention that even when I cooked for 8-9 people (4 adults, one pre-teen, 3-4 small children, and one grandmother), we didn't have 3-4 protein entrees and all those sides. Except for Thanksgiving, which I mentioned in a previous post. And even then it is only one meat dish. Apologies for my offense.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:17pm

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Yes. Glad you finally see things my way.


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Yes, that would be a nice thing to do.


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Yes *for the amoutn of time they have done it at mom and dads*.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:19pm

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Yes. Glad you finally see things my way.


I never said an adult

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2000
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:20pm

I think that in that situation, I'd be more concerned about them telling each other.


Zombie-proofing.jpg picture by Lauren1063



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:20pm

Pssst! They talk to each other you know ...


And while we don't tell *everything* that happens with everyone everywhere ... we don't keep secrets either.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:22pm

I accept your apology. I am assuming you are taking about my example we would take to a family menu (pot roast, baked chicken, etc) w/the sides, selections of desserts, selections of breads, salads.


That is more for the point of "variety" for the people at that house that will be having that for supper. Maybe little Sally and little Kate will want the pot roast but Mom and Dad will want the baked chicken while Granny & Grampa want the meat loaf and sides I would think would vary too. Of course, yes, Aunt Joanne may be sitting down and having some of all of it ha


Many times w/my friends they will say oh my brother and his wife stopped by so they ate too, she loves your meat loaf recipe and wants you to email that to her but my brother was all about the pot roast and again, selected sides, breads, dessert.


When we take a meal we want a large variety, a large quantity (often there are people in and out and leftovers during these times are wonderful). Whatever we can do for the family to make things good for them during their time of need.


Polkadots&FlipFlops

Polkadotandflipflops

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2010
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:23pm

And if you are willing to help out the first, wouldn't you do the same for the 2nd?


Yes, it might not be a surprise if they do talk to one another, even though once they are adults and out of the house, they might not communicate as much as they used to as children.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:26pm
geesh. God forbid little sally be forced to eat chicken like the rest of the family.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2009
Thu, 07-29-2010 - 9:28pm

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Maybe. Maybe not.

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