Confession: During the past 2 months since Madeline was born, household chores have been completed mostly by my darling husband or on the weekends.
Although this is wonderful (he really is wonderful *dreamy sigh*)— it is also tinged with guilt… I want our weekends to be spent enjoying our family time together… not scrubbing counter tops and washing/folding/putting away several tons of laundry…
Also I have found, that when I clean, I start in one place and end up all over the house… ie cleaning kitchen counters – then taking papers to file in the bedroom – then putting away some of my laundry – then carrying a random toy to the boys rooms – then picking up toys in their rooms – then answering the phone in the living room —– stop me if this sounds familiar??
Nothing gets finished – I end up going from one room to another and doing a little here and a little there…
Now I have to tell you — I am an all or nothing type of girl…
I don’t create “schedules” for my life unless I know I can keep them.
I would be stressed and feel pressured to KEEP said “schedule”.
But I think I need to create such a “schedule” to help LESSEN the overwhelming urge to clean my house from top to bottom… to help LIGHTEN THE LOAD on my shoulders that I need to have a nice clean house because I am home all day – and what DO I really DO all day?!?!!
*time out* I need to go breath in a paper bag now…
OK – So I have decided to focus on ONE ROOM a day…
This way there is no PRESSURE to clean the entire house…
AND I can start to see results right away…
Weekly Cleaning Schedule
Monday – Kitchen
Tuesday – Living Room/Dining Room
Wednesday – Kids Bedrooms
Thursday – Master Bedroom
Friday – Bathrooms
I also need to confess to all of you that I am horrible about brushing my kids teeth.
*cringe* Yes I know – stone me now…
I know this is supposed to be done twice a day – and yet life always seems to happen and it never gets done!
SO – here is our new Morning and Evening schedule – Much of this already happens mind you, but having it in black and white (fingers crossed) will help me improve our dental hygiene. LOL.
New Morning Schedule
0600ish–Wake up – Nurse the baby.
Make my bed
Make Coffee and read emails
0700ish–Boys to Rise and Shine
Time for Breakfast
Brush our teeth
by 0900–Everyone gets dressed
New Evening Schedule (24 hour clock)
1900ish–Clean up toys and Vacuum
Take a Bath
Brush our teeth
Pajama time
Story/song then Lights out Boys!
—-Clean up Dinner dishes, start dishwasher
Walk Cookie-dog
Take out trash
Take a shower
Blog/internet no later than 2200
So! I am sharing my plans with all of you to hold myself accountable!
And I am going to print out these plans and hang them in highly visible places!
And I will be reporting back on my progress!
(Disclaimer– All schedules are subject to change due to baby girl’s nursing schedule and nocturnal waking patterns… Mommy will not be held responsible if certifiably sleep deprived…)
Feel free to leave me some encouragement!
(I’m feeling kind of naked now. LOL)
This post has been linked to Tackle it Tuesday from 5 Minutes for Mom.
And I am checking in on Mondays with “Get a New Habit Going” from Life as a Mom
November 3, 2009 at 7:00 am
This is great, Ann! You know I love a schedule. I think you've got a really good plan in place.
I am feeling so lost with ours getting slammed by the move, but it will be okay in the end. We'll get back on track in about six weeks.
November 3, 2009 at 7:41 am
Ann Marie,
I urge you to check out FlyLady.net. She helps those of US (yep, you're not the only one!) who need a nudge to get going in this direction. In fact, she has divided the house into zones, just like you did. **You can do it! You can do it!** As FlyLady says, "There's nothing you can't do for 15 minutes."
Katie
November 3, 2009 at 8:41 am
Good for you!!! I resist schedules for some reason. But it makes so much sense to do it that way. Way to GO!
November 3, 2009 at 9:48 am
Lovin' your schedules!
You can do this!!
November 3, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I also do a cleaning schedule with one room a day and even if I get off track I can get right back on next week. I see a lot of myself in everything you said. I also am horrible about brushing my kids teeth. I definitely think this is a doable schedule. You haven't listed a million things and I think that is what makes it doable. Great job!
November 3, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I like your schedule. Inspiring me to make a schedule for us. The girls are 3 1/2 and I think it would be good for them and ESPECIALLY me!
carol
November 3, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Good luck on that new tackle schedule:-)
November 3, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Honey, you need to take it easy. The schedule looks good for now but guess what, it will change again when baby girl gets older.
There is nothing wrong when the men in our lives give us a helping hand. I taught my boys that moms/wives are wonder women. We get sick or something and need that help too. I have dropped everything to help my hubby out when he needed it. Don't you do the same? That is what being a team means. Don't feel guilty. It won't last forever. You'll be back in the drivers seat before you know it. Those little people can wear you out.
God bless!!!
November 3, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Kick booty, Annie. I have faith in your plan because this is exactly what I started doing after we got through the honeymoon phase and it has worked wonders. One word of caution: I got a little too worked up about the Tuesday=kitchen thing and it stressed me out. Now if I don't get to something, I just shrug and say "oh well, it'll get done next week". GOOD LUCK!!!!
November 3, 2009 at 10:19 pm
After my baby girl was born last year I had the same problem with getting everything done in one day. So I split everything up into daily chores and I love this new schedule. Now with baby #2 on the way it is needed. Hope your schedule is working as well for you!!!
November 3, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Aw, give yourself a break. Everything is off schedule with a newborn. But I understand your desire for one & the reasons behind it. I used to have a great cleaning schedule – daily tasks and then other things assigned to days. Somewhere I got off of it but I must get back on soon. Thanks for the inspiration! Kuddos to your hubby for helping out too.
November 4, 2009 at 11:03 pm
LIke you I have 3 kids under 3. I tell you I didn't get much done as far as housework until the baby was 1.
Don't feel bad…
Seriously not until she was one did we get much of anything seriously accomplished!