[maxkinzie]

Wow, I am so in these posts. I fight with feeling like I should be doing more cleaning/cooking etc OFTEN! The hardest for me right now is the food thing. Particularly "why can't I make his lunch like all the other wived do" (only said once, in a disagreement), and have dinner on the table (never said, but I FEEL it). I DO feel bad if he comes home from work and I'm sitting on the floor playing with or reading to DD, doesn't happen all the time but...He would be happy if the house was a total disaster, that would drive me crazy. I try hard to at least keep it reasonably clean/safe for DD and her little friends. I think at least when they're little there is something to be said for neatness and their safety.

So, I could probably live with that, BUT, it's the women with more than one kid, who work outside the home, yet manage to at least keep their house "spotless". I'm sure there's a balance there, I don't for a minute believe these friends neglect their kids, but I sure feel like I'm put in my place if they come to my house.


max

[redbonec]

Yes, I also often wonder how some people keep their house going with children. We don't have children yet, and it still takes concentration and will power on my part just to keep it decent. I just wish I could follow someone around for a day to learn some tricks of the trade.

I second what Aspenhall said--
the Flylady helps A LOT! I finally got a routine down, even if I don't do it everyday. Her book helped me a lot.

[aspenhall]

I certainly don't have all the answers.......BUT....I grew up in a home that should have gotten us put into CPS care and then the house condemned and bulldozed. Any cleaning we did would have had to have been deep cleaning. THEN I married a perfectionist...me "the procrastinater"

I spend my days fighting my lazy habits and not to spend time with my child either...I have attahcment issues myself

But along the way (because of my laziness) I have mostly figured out the quickest and easiest ways to do whatever task I am faced with.....Sooooo....ask away....whatever task has you beat and I'll tell you what I do or have done and maybe it will work for you too.

[redhedded]

Karen, That is awesome! We flew our kite 4 days last week and tried today but there was not enough wind. Not only much fun but lots and lots of laughter when it crashes or gets caught in the trees.

I do not know if you have heard of Dan Zanes. (His Hello song is on between programming on Playhouse Disney.) Anyway, we sing all of the lyrics to that song and look around for places to say hello, opening closets, looking under bed, in drawers. B loves it.

I have thought often about why it is so easy for me, as a Type A personality, to let go of so much stuff to ensure that fun and laughter is what my kids experience everyday. I think the answer is within your support circle. I have my dh and parents who say I am the greatest mother in the world for singing, dancing, reading, listening and laughing. They would not appreciate if my house were dirty/messy but constantly reenforce through their words and actions that they agree and appreciate that my primary goal everyday is to is to provide love, attention, fun, positive reenforcement, guidance and intellectual and emotional stimulation to my kids. So: surround yourself with those who agree, think your approach is perfect and brag on you.