Tell the truth...is your house clean?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2003
Tell the truth...is your house clean?
24
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 12:38am
Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I thought I would introduce myself and ask a question about a dreaded topic--housecleaning!

I'm a SAHM to two girls, ages 4 and 2. They're 15 months apart.

My husband read a quote from an article about housecleaning, and how the average number of hours spent housecleaning has declined. I was shocked to hear that in the 1950's, the average woman spent 4 hours A DAY (yes, one day!!) cleaning the house. My husband and I chuckled because I don't spend 4 hours a week cleaning!

My house right now is so so clean. It's not a total disaster area, but if someone called and said they were coming over, I would spend at least 20 minutes picking up and making the place look presentable.

I'm very humbled and ashamed to say that I do not sweep the kitchen floor daily. I vacuum every other day and dusting....what's dusting?

I am just so busy with the girls, but I think I really want to change this.

I'm wondering if I'm the only bad housekeeper. I just have the notion that most people have close-to-spotless homes and that I'm the only irresponsible one who neglects the housework.

I do make efforts to clean. By the time I spend a half hour picking up toys, and doing basic straightening---I'm tired! I feel like I could hire someone--FULL TIME--to pick up toys off of our floor!

I am anxious to hear what everyone else has to say about this topic! I look forward to hearing your opinions and stories.

Angela

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-08-2004
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 1:59pm
*Innocent Look* It might piss him off, but at the same time, you most likely won't be dealing with crap on the counter anymore :) Good Luck!

(Another tip is making a mess out of *his* areas by cluttering them with *your* crap... Nothing like a guy going into his workshop or home office to a pile of tampons, makeup and perfume bottles ;)




Wytchy

Avatar for cghnasa
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 2:27pm
um a broom is that thing that is over there n the corner with the stick on one end and the straw on the other right ???? lol cleaning whats that !! I am soo lazy.its aweful. I clean when I'm gonna have company

Beth SAHM to Brianna 2 yrs old, and Jr (edd 10/28/04)

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 2:50pm
I already took over his desk. It is covered with my school books, notebooks, magazines, and knitting supplies. Oops... ;)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-08-2004
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 3:17pm
ROFL! ;) Well- maybe he's using that tactic on *you* to get you to clean off that desk! LOL! ;)



Wytchy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 3:48pm
Ha, yea right....Well, it used to be before my daughter turned 1 and was able to walk and carry toys from one room to the next. One of her favorite things to do is crush crackers into the floor. My husband and I vacuum at least twice a day on most days, and AT LEAST once a day, but if you came in the middle of the day to our house it would look like we never ever clean because of that. I just hate having to have her sit in her chair to eat. We have a very small house and not even enough room for a table to eat at. So we all eat in the living room, and to be honest, that's the way I grew up, so we probably wouldn't eat at the table anyways. Someday I would like to have that become a habit though because of the closeness. But, the DISHES...oh heck no. I hate dishes with a passion. I put them off, and then I am always sorry because I have to spend 1/2 hour doing them. My DH helps out a LOT I must admit. He works full time and does help clean. I also have Fibromyalgia so that makes me extremely tired most of the time. But it doesn't help with the guilt I feel. I don't think toys should be taken into consideration. Baby has to play. But I know there are those "Martha Stewarts" out there, like one of my friends who even used to have her clothes color coordinated to colored hangers. Amazing. I never understood that, even before kids, LOL!

Toni
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-30-2003
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 4:46pm
My house is always clean. Of course that is only because I'm a little spoiled and DH hired a cleaning lady. She comes monday and thursday and in between I do keep the house clean because I'm a neat freak.

Shelby

SAHM to Haylei

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2004
Fri, 03-19-2004 - 11:45pm
Beth,

I was feeling a little alone and guilty until I saw your post. I am not the only one who just doesnt get cleaning done. I should but, ugh!!! I try but it just doesnt seem worth it, it will be a mess as soon as my son(age 3)wakes up or my 2 girls(ages 8 and 7)come home from school. I guess because my husband doesnt really complain so much I am not always cleaning. I must say bathrooms are the worst!!!!!


Anyone,

I try to keep the house picked up but it is in no means CLEAN.....HELP!! How much do those of you who have house cleaners pay?? I told my husband I want one. So we just need to find one. What all does your house cleaner do??? Any advice would be appreciated. i hate having a dirty house but I guess not enough to get off my butt :(

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2003
Sat, 03-20-2004 - 4:15am
To tell you the honest truth i think my house is to clean...

I have a 9.5months old son and another one due in july (they'llbe 13 months apart). as soon as dylan goes to sleep i jump in a clean absolutley everything that i can. I hate it but i can;t stop myself. and to tell you the truth i get very tired too. especially now that my pregnant state is getting the better of me and chasing a 9 and a half month old around is exhausting as it is!

I fear that i won't have time to even keep the ouse tidy let alone clean when this little one is here. I feel terrible about it but i like ot have a clean house.

Any way, just my story

Naomi (19)

Jeff (20)

Dylan (9.5months)

Beansprout EDD 10/7/04

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 1:24am
I am a bad person to answer this question. I married the worlds greatest man. He cooks everyday, and LIKES to vacuum, and clean bathrooms. He always has. I try to do it, and he comes in and kicks me out because it's not done "his way"

I am not complaining. But I still attempt to have it done before he comes home from work... I don't want him to think I am not doing anything. Laundry is my job. And my god... the way he changes clothes in a day, I can barely keep up. he showers in the am before work, as soon as he comes home from work, and again before bed. 3 CHANGES A DAY.... not counting baby clothes. Jeeze, I'm lucky if I get a shower every couple of days, you don't want to see my legs right now!!!!

We live in a small home, everything is everywhere. I had an unexpected guest a few days ago, and while dh was showing him in, I tossed all the toys in a bin, wiped the glass top coffee table with my sleeve, threw papers in a neat pile and ran to the bathroom, where I hid for a while, finally having my alone time!!! lol... in the end it doesn't really matter. But it is a pain in the butt, I am all for hiring someone to do it for us!!!

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2004
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 7:17am
Hey Angela,

It's so good to hear from other women how they have a hard time keeping there house clean. I have a son who is turning 3 next month and a DD who is 9 months. So needless to say my house gets trashed quite frequently. I also watch my God daughter twice a week who is a very naughty 2 year old. So his room is trashed at least most of the week. Cause as soon as I clean it they will go in there maybe they will wait til the next day.lol. My dishes seem to get neglected alot. I wash laundry but they might sit in a pile in my room for a while until i can get them hung up. I try to keep my living room and main bathroom clean so when we have guests. But the rooms seem to see the brunt of my kids. It's very hard. It really was alot easier with one kid. Once you have a toddler and a baby who needs you so much your house just doesn't get the ATTENTION it really needs. But at least i know my kids are well cared for. The only thing that i find helps me is first thing you wake up is when you try to clean. Cause that sets the day on your energy and motivation. I found if i sat down first thing that i did not want to clean at all. So good luck. Being a stay at home mom is the hardest job there is out there. We can all do it. maybe..lol

Sheri

Jeremiah 4-21-01

Eloura 6-2-03