tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post4687199961478515142..comments2024-03-29T02:56:06.019-05:00Comments on The Glamorous Life of a Housewife: On Housekeeping.Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-22807864206079964192012-02-07T17:11:42.629-06:002012-02-07T17:11:42.629-06:00Thanks for posting this - I have really been strug...Thanks for posting this - I have really been struggling with my to-do lists and time management lately, and this really helped!Pamela Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400529992270041824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-73508667037460585662012-02-07T12:38:10.417-06:002012-02-07T12:38:10.417-06:00I always chuckle to myself when I get the question...I always chuckle to myself when I get the question from my non-parent friends: "What do you do at home all day?" It was definitely easier in the beginning when I just had my daughter to care for, rather than now with three small children and one on the way. My trick to keeping things running is this: work first, play later. So I do my chores in the morning. Things like dishes, cooking, tidying up, and laundry have to happen every day of course. But things like dusting and mopping are scheduled. <br /><br />Also, it helps if I restrict myself to getting on the internet only a couple times a day :) Amazing how much time that frees up!Chelseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10932759208314380525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-31020868168950610972012-02-07T12:22:22.561-06:002012-02-07T12:22:22.561-06:00Man, this post kinda convicted me... I haven't...Man, this post kinda convicted me... I haven't been on top of things lately, and have been getting lazy... I really need to figure out a system for myself. =)Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03749551128987426700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-22213417385884567312012-02-07T00:34:10.614-06:002012-02-07T00:34:10.614-06:00Whew I needed this today!! Thanks!Whew I needed this today!! Thanks!Stacy @ Cardigans and Crayonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12128719196982029156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-28077628117847580742012-02-06T18:51:41.158-06:002012-02-06T18:51:41.158-06:00I love that you wrote a post on this subject, beca...I love that you wrote a post on this subject, because keeping up with my housework on the days that I am home is something I struggle with! I love how you focused it back on work that we do "unto the Lord" as well. Thanks for this!Calliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177545285954715021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-74878648966738939382012-02-06T16:07:19.658-06:002012-02-06T16:07:19.658-06:00I stay at home with my three year old and I watch ...I stay at home with my three year old and I watch her best friend every day and I'm 29 weeks pregnant too! What works best for me is that I take one day a week to clean everything. I keep things tidy every day so that all I have to do is dust, vacuum and take out the trash. Mondays are our grocery shopping day, Tuesdays and Wednesdays the girls have activities, Thursday is laundry/stay at home day and Friday mornings we hav gymnastics then I come home and clean the house so I can enjoy th weekend.Adrienne Gomerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09903283859887025249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-13958246399315661662012-02-06T16:00:01.812-06:002012-02-06T16:00:01.812-06:00I've been growing in that area over the last f...I've been growing in that area over the last few weeks (which goes along with the post I wrote on getting up before my boys) and it is amazing the change it is bringing about in me and our home! My biggest lesson has been that if I am diligent in the basic routines of maintaining my home, the huge messes/cleaning overhauls don't happen, and then I have more time to be fully present with my family! There is freedom in the discipline, for sure!Lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09525890489342635502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-73708198577174379232012-02-06T15:48:29.579-06:002012-02-06T15:48:29.579-06:00What an awesome post! I struggle with the same th...What an awesome post! I struggle with the same things, and am pregnant as well. It gets tiring. Thank you for the encouragement!Moosey Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00632406332404644828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-89603232480443069032012-02-06T13:13:14.637-06:002012-02-06T13:13:14.637-06:00What a great post!
Seriously could write a novel ...What a great post!<br /><br />Seriously could write a novel on this topic because it strikes such a chord. <br />I do not feel at peace when my home is chaotic (Chaos to me can be a blanket unfolded just flung on the couch - it can drive me nuts!). I've learned to refine the art of keeping a clean home. I've not always been this good at it, but it HAS TO BE a balancing act because I can get a little out of control on both ends of the spectrum...basically because I give myself a guilt trip.<br /><br />The MAIN THING I've done is put away the thought, "I'll get to that later." (to a degree, I'm not a nut about it) It is SO MUCH easier to keep my house picked up and organized because when I see something out of place, it takes just a second to put it up. (Toys excluded).<br /><br />The balancing act between play time with the kids and keeping up my home used to be a war in my head. I sometimes felt a bit of guilt mopping the kitchen floor on a pretty day. Or playing in the yard with a sink of dishes.<br /><br />BUT for me, what I've learned about my personality and the structure of my home over the three years of being a Mom to two little ones - I am a better Mom when the home is minimally cluttered and minimally dirty. But if we go outside on a pretty day and track in mud and leaves...so be it. I don't think perfection is key...I think the key is refinement.<br /><br />And balance...balance, balance, balance.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05727726208722605779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-59964500837806560732012-02-06T13:10:44.312-06:002012-02-06T13:10:44.312-06:00Such an inspiring post! I want to go throw away a ...Such an inspiring post! I want to go throw away a bunch of stuff and begin a more simple lifestyle =) <br /><br />I struggle so much with how to divide my time between housework and the children. I, too, feel those "sticky floor" housework quotes can be an excuse. Our kids ultimately are more important than a perfect home, but there does need to be peace and order. And like you said, it's good for them to see us work hard! <br /><br />Plus, a clean home tells my husband that I respect him (he's a very neat and tidy person), so when I let the housework go to the pigs, my husband isn't able to relax after a long day's work, and I certainly don't want that.<br /><br />God is a God of order, so we should certainly try to reflect that in our homes.<br /><br />Thanks for this post! Loved it!Karihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10117627426101498744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-24819601430544625002012-02-06T13:09:34.477-06:002012-02-06T13:09:34.477-06:00Thanks for sharing this! It served as a great remi...Thanks for sharing this! It served as a great reminder to me as a stay-at-home mom, that this is my "job" (and one I'm SO thankful for!), and instead of making excuses and letting laziness creep in, I should take on the chores and tasks little by little everyday... as if unto the Lord. Things won't ever be perfect or spotless or "caught up", but it is possible for our home to be somewhat neat and orderly. And I'll be checking out Fly Lady today too. =)Meggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01408573099786554451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-26033419218935198792012-02-06T11:48:44.758-06:002012-02-06T11:48:44.758-06:00Really enjoyed reading....I have been convicted to...Really enjoyed reading....I have been convicted to purge and rid myself of un-needed items so overall maintenance is low and I can focus more times on kiddos and husband:). Our house is always somewhat is disarray...4 kids under four will do that :). But I had found myself lazy, so I felt in my heart to get in gear for the Lord...it is all His anyway:).kkbccguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07245808515407832438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-3031546246213194522012-02-06T11:09:40.630-06:002012-02-06T11:09:40.630-06:00Thanks,Whitney! I needed that! God's timing is...Thanks,Whitney! I needed that! God's timing is perfect as usual.lynngweenyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07569114516585972221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-22581410166073717882012-02-06T10:55:49.396-06:002012-02-06T10:55:49.396-06:00I'm mixed on this post. I mostly agree with y...I'm mixed on this post. I mostly agree with you. I do see keeping up the house as my job. And sometimes it is laziness that gets in my way. Those quotes are great and really will give me a lot to reflect on. But the bottom line is - some moms truly can't do it all. My hubby is also a resident, so as you probably know too well, I do just about everything for the home and kids. (We are in a very different situation currently) but usually there is no family in town. I choose to let the housework go when things are busy and we are busy most of the time. For me being an attentive wife and involved mom rank WAY above being a superb housekeeper. Sometimes I think those poems can be good reminders of priority. It's easy to turn the TV on so you can get that kitchen scrubbed. But I also see the other side on how those poems could be used as excuses. Don't get me wrong - there's never an excuse for having a disgusting house, but on a normal basis in my life there is usually something that is not clean. I have to be okay with that to stay sane even though I wish it could be different.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07816349610108217763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-74750663233754540812012-02-06T09:59:24.815-06:002012-02-06T09:59:24.815-06:00I've been fighting this recently too......I th...I've been fighting this recently too......I think it got worse because we are living in a tiny rent house while we are building our house. No excuses though right? We should be moving in a couple weeks anyway and then I will do a better job! <br /><br />I often have thought of the poems as excuses haha......also toddlers LOVE helping folding laundry or other things we can give them while we work to feel like they are helping. Many times I've even played peek-a-boo with the baby while folding laundry just to keep him happy AND productive done at the same time.Charihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09016553715852916194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-54087655001707874372012-02-06T09:51:48.265-06:002012-02-06T09:51:48.265-06:00I am also much happier, peaceful, and calm when ou...I am also much happier, peaceful, and calm when our home is clean. The last time we moved, it was awful - we had accumulated so much junk. Over the past year, I started picking one day a month to deep clean one room. Just one. It doesn't take much time and it's not overwhelming, and it gives me a "clean space" to admire. We are in a rental house right now, so it is really helping me continuously purge and keep things organized until we buy a place and have to move out. But I think this is something I will continue doing - it really makes me so much happier to have a clean home :)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13942184140824055969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-42156075236084620212012-02-06T07:06:42.394-06:002012-02-06T07:06:42.394-06:00This is wonderful for SAHMs and working moms(that ...This is wonderful for SAHMs and working moms(that would be me). It's so hard to do it all and so easy to get caught up in the lazies when we feel overwhelmed. Thanks for the encouragement.chadandnikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16910288209862052652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-50148242110530218722012-02-06T06:44:51.894-06:002012-02-06T06:44:51.894-06:00Thank you for posting this. Keeping house has been...Thank you for posting this. Keeping house has been my struggle since becoming a SAHM a little over a year ago. I have been trying to see being a mom and wife as my mission field, but it's still a struggle. The quotes you shared are quite motivational!Jaime G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02462088980672365029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-31415615523934685152012-02-06T05:46:42.277-06:002012-02-06T05:46:42.277-06:00Amen! I have been convicted to meet mundane, chee...Amen! I have been convicted to meet mundane, cheerless tasks with thanksgiving and joy lately as well. Thanks for posting! You can do it! :)Kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08751248753985305387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-26612476696919777282012-02-06T03:40:54.517-06:002012-02-06T03:40:54.517-06:00What a great post! I am thinking similar things as...What a great post! I am thinking similar things as I prepare to have (and stay home with) my first baby in June. This post was inspiring and uplifting to me. <br /><br />Ps I also recommend Flylady! She has changed my life.Ellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15174815273626198994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-25579844131549585842012-02-06T03:30:33.705-06:002012-02-06T03:30:33.705-06:00I have been struggling lately with keeping up the ...I have been struggling lately with keeping up the home and I was greatly encouraged by your post. Like you, I get anxious and stressed when my home is disordered and I am definitely not the mum I should be when I'm feeling like that. I need to have the discipline to get back on top of things for the sake of my family and my own sanity! I love the idea that we can use our lives as homemakers as a way of honouring God.<br /><br />I completely agree with your 'excuses' statement. Not only would I disagree that children won't remember the mess (I have a long memory myself!), I believe that neglecting our homes sets a terrible example to our children. We are basically telling them that it is okay to neglect your work if there if there is something more fun we want to do.<br /><br />Loved this post. Thank you so much.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03050098322558700410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-23655645038071742542012-02-06T02:47:59.674-06:002012-02-06T02:47:59.674-06:00Thank you for the encouragement, I too have been g...Thank you for the encouragement, I too have been going through all the closets & drawers and de-cluttering. It is a wonderful feeling to have everything in its place. But even in doing that it feels like I am neglecting so many other chores I should be doing (it really is a never ending cycle). But thank you for reminding me what a blessing it is to GET to be here, doing this, with my babies by my side. I am very, very blessed. :)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863438436831673555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-83901408504602861052012-02-06T01:33:26.047-06:002012-02-06T01:33:26.047-06:00Thank you so much for addressing those quotes! Th...Thank you so much for addressing those quotes! They drive me crazy! Sticky floors aren't a sign of a good mom - they're just plain gross! It's one thing to have a little dust because you'd rather play with your kid, but there's no excuse for slovenliness.SplendidlyImperfecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03798649697960237749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-42749222359661867802012-02-06T01:09:51.843-06:002012-02-06T01:09:51.843-06:00Have you ever looked into the FlyLady system (www....Have you ever looked into the FlyLady system (www.FlyLady.net). It is a loosely faith-based system that is designed to help women develop routines to keep things tidy, and to break the cleaning into small pieces - the point is that then it doesn't feel so much like work (and thus it is much easier to do joyously if it doesn't feel like something you have to suffer through. I have used the system for the better part of the last 4 years, and my home never runs smoother than when I am on the "flylady wagon". Flylady also has a great book called Sink Reflections, available in the home organization section of most major bookstores.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02791394391501010295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-52775455328356673692012-02-06T00:47:46.529-06:002012-02-06T00:47:46.529-06:00I love everything you've shared in this post! ...I love everything you've shared in this post! I've been going through the same thing lately. For me, it just feels like I can never get things cleaned up, and I've been so frustrated with the toys everywhere. We all go through phases, and phases are good. We have days, weeks when we are more lax about our home. Life throws many different things at us. It is NEVER okay to be lazy or neglectful of our homes and our families! Sometimes we will feel like cleaning all the grime out of the corners...go with it! Other days we'll feel more like organizing papers OR cooking up a storm...go with it! Somedays you just need to go have fun with the kids. I think we're much more effective when we're in the mood. So that's my two bits, JUST GO WITH IT!!!Jenn Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11874424010295631691noreply@blogger.com