What do you do when....?

[mommaadams]

Hey Ya'll! I know everyone has got to be very busy about right now, I know I sure am. I know I'm new to this whole experience and maybe I am doing something wrong. No, not in the Education Dept., at least I don't think so yet, but in everything else. It seems that when I started homeschooling that my house looks like a hurricane hit it! Dishes always fill the sink, clothes are usually so far behind it is pitiful, and my days are filled, but the only thing that is getting done is my job (which is a MUST) and Lottie's schooling. Does anyone else go through this? What do you do? Hiring a maid is out of the question, although I would love one, but who wouldn't? Tell me how you get everything done in a day or week. Maybe we can give each other some ideas. Oh, another thing...Do you like the reference that so many give me as being a SuperMom? I particularly don't because it makes it sound as if I am some sort of Above Other Mothers type of person:rolleyes2 . I would love to hear ya'll's ideas on these 2 subjects.

Happy Monday Morning,
Gwen:wave:

[Dianna]

Gwen, your question reminds me of a great article a friend of mine wrote about her house and homeschooling. I'll see if I can dig it up and post it here (with her permission). I think you'll be reassured by it. One of my favorite sentences in the article goes something like, "yes, my house may be a mess, but more importantly, my children are not." I'll try to find it... remind me if I don't post it in the next few days.

In the meantime, I recommend visiting the Fly Lady website at http://www.flylady.com I don't follow her system, but many of her tips are very worthwhile. Her decluttering advice is dead on - the less you have, the less cluttered your mind and life will be, and the happier you'll be. I have much less stuff than I use to have, and am much happier because of it. And my house stays a lot cleaner simply because there's less clutter.

And, my second recommendation is to get your kids involved in cleaning. There are quite a few jobs around the house that I just don't do anymore - they do them. It cuts down on cleaning time, and builds their sense of contributing to the family, as well as teaches them important life skills.

Hopefully others will join in with tips and tricks, too. :smile2:

Dianna

[Dianna]

Oh, another thing...Do you like the reference that so many give me as being a SuperMom? I particularly don't because it makes it sound as if I am some sort of Above Other Mothers type of person:rolleyes2 .

Oops... I didn't answer this part. That makes me feel uncomfortable, too. I just tell people that homeschooling is a lifestyle choice for me and that it doesn't make me a better person, just someone who has made different choices.

Dianna

[yellowpiano]

Gwen,


I have been there myself. That first year was hard trying to figure everything out. I ended up giving more responsibilities to my children. They now clean their own rooms, take care of pets, dishes, sweeping etc. That has made daily life a lot easier.

I also changed our school schedule. We school for 4 weeks and have the 5th week off. This lets me have a couple of days a month for some good deep cleaning. Otherwise, the only time the house gets cleaned is when people come to visit. :lol: HA! Having the fifth week off also lets us do unstructured school. We can do more field trips or a project.... what ever they are interested in at the moment.

Hope these ideas are helpful. Be proud that you have a house that is lived in and well loved!

[martylamarche]

I know you posted a couple of wks ago, but I recently got this from newsletter that I'm subscribed to: http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/teacherslounge/articles/homeschooling_and_housecleaning.php

They also offer a wkly menu newsletter to help w/ meal planning called Menus4Moms.com.

Marty