Kimber Works on Juggling Parenting and... all that Other Stuff
Wednesday March 29, 2006
Kimber got a visit from her parents this weekend and finally got some things done that had been on the back burner. She says,
"It's just impossible to do more than vacuum and get a couple loads of laundry done any more without the help of other people. Am I the only one that can't seem to get the deep cleaning done and all the errands? I feel like I am failing at some aspect of motherhood by not being able to juggle it all."
I know when I was a new mom, I nearly killed myself those first few weeks trying to accomplish everything, and finally, I just gave up. I learned to live with everything half. Half-read books. Half-cleaned house. Half-done laundry. But all those halves led me to a much more whole and happy existence. I know some parents, however, who still seem to manage everything and like Kimber, I wonder how they do it and stay sane.
So, what about you? Has parenting hindered your housecleaning? Does it seem like you just can't get it all done or is it a walk in the park? Leave a comment below and let us know how you do (or don't) manage everything.
Comments
I definitely can’t get everything done anymore. And like you and Kimber, I spent the first few weeks killing myself to do it all, not wanting to accept any help. But, the older my son gets the more demands for attention he makes, and I just don’t want to miss all of his firsts cleaning!
When your kids are tiny its all about a “half cleaned house and jobs half done” But as they get older you find that the easiest way to get things done is to let them help. The going is slow but the end result is the same. Clean house , Happy parents and Happy Kids. I have 4 children between the ages of 13 and 4.
I totally agree. My husband lives in a disillusional world where he thinks that only he is allowed to come home from work and sit down and mellow out, because that is “how his parents house ran”. I have been trying to get it through his head that IF we both work, then we both need to help each other with the household chores so it’s not just me doing everything. If I had all day do get everything done, than that would be a different story. As it is, I have 4 hours from the time I get home from work to cook dinner, play with our son, clean up the kitchen, get lunch ready for the following day, bathtime, bedtime and if I’m still able to stand by 9:30, do a load of never-ending laundry. If someone knows a secret to doing it all, other than omitting sleep (like my M-I-L), please share.
I am married with two babies my son just turned a year and my daughter was born two months ago and things have been INSANE! Me and my husband work full time and it seems like we both come home and the day is never ending, I just went back to work after being on maternity leave for eight weeks and I am feeling more than ever physically exhausted, being only 24 years old I feel as if I’m 50 right now, will this exhaustion go away or is it always this way with children?
I was remembering back to the first few months and yes my house work did get put off but by the time the little one was 3 months i was back on track.
I think if your a working mom then your going to have a hard time getting it all done since your out of the house all day and when you do get home you need to spend that time with your child since you dont see them any other time. Stay at home moms have no excuse though. I am home and get the house clean. There is a difference between clean and messy thought my floors will be washed/ vacumed dishes put away ect. but there will still be a trail of toys left from my kids around the house so dont sweat the toys thown about if you make sure your house is clean no mother can fault you for your house having proof that a little one lives there.
I have a 10y, 2y and 1y. We’re fortunate enough for me not to have to work outside of the home, but I still can’t everything done. There’s always an endless pile of laundry to wash and put away, numerous trips to the grocery store for this and that. I feel like I constantly clean all day long. I feel lucky if I can stay awake past 10PM on any given day. I worked full-time when we had my son and let me tell you, being a stay-at-home mother is the HARDEST job I’ve ever had!!
I am a financially-struggling single mother of 2. I don’t have help… I never get my house completely clean… or it never stays that way! I don’t have time for myself, and WHEN I DO WORK, it’s usually “bank hours”. So I don’t get regular errands done. Single mothers are treated worse than homes with 2 parents. We’re no different. We all need help too!
well in order to get it all done. it takes two. my husband stays home with the baby and cleans the house. but i stil feel like i do all the house work. i do a load of laundry a day and i am either the one that loads or unloads the dishwasher. and cook 3/4th of the time. or so it feels.and i pick up after me and the baby and change the baby. but if my husband didnt do the vac and so forth the work would be double if not tripled.in order to get some things done all the way i let other things go that are not priority.
sounds like linda march31st.2006 has a chip on her shoulder. there are lots of moms with small children who simply cannot manage to keep their homes tidy. as the children get older, you will have more time for tidiness. small children constantly demand your attention and if you dont stay up til midnight cleaning everynight, there is no way to do it all