Let's Talk Time Management

Hi A.,

I definately "feel your pain" so to speak. The other moms have made some great suggestions but I will add to them with what I do with my 2 year old daughter. I work from home so I always feel like I have to keep my office and house organized.

However, I have also learned that I kind of have to give up control and accept that everything does not have to be perfect and that nobody is going to die if the laundry sits out for a day or two or the dishes stay in the sink longer than I would like!

I have really tried to get my daughter to help and make games out of doing the laundry or picking up the house/toys. I also find that if she is well excersised, my daughter is more likely to play quietly for a little while. Also, what about finding a neighborhood girl who could come over and just play with your daughter while you are there getting a few things done around the house?

My husband and I met another couple in our neighborhood and we try to (every once in a while) to "swap kids" for a night. The girls love playing together and it gives us a free night and a free babysitter.

Good luck!

We recently got one of those Roomba robot vacuum cleaners. It's not as powerful as a high-quality upright vacuum, but the fact that you can easily run it every day if you want to means that it keeps the house just as clean. Emptying it is extremely simple too. We found one on sale (I think it was the 4150 model) for $100 and it was an incredible steal. Definitely consider getting one if you want to cut down on your housework time.

My advice: Get a model that comes with the battery-powered virtual walls so you can easily control the area being cleaned. Also, I heard that the older models weren't very good (I knew someone who had one), so look for one that has a model number starting with 4 or 5.

As a side bonus, my 2 1/2-year-old really enjoys watching it go and we let him name it. It's like having a pet that cleans up after you instead of the other way around! :) (Oh, and speaking of pets, one of the Amazon reviews mentions that you have to be careful because the Roomba will spread dog poop around if it runs over it.)

This post sounds like an ad. . .I am not affiliated with Roomba or anything! We're just very pleased with our new little helper. :)

Hi A.! It's A..
Funny thing is, I have been meaning to respond to this posting and reply back to you about the vacinations email (i have a lot to think about before we go to the doctor on Monday) but... I haven't had time either:)

Yes, I can definitely relate to the feeling of both needing and wanting to "get it all done". I don't think it ever is really "all done". I do admit though it sure is hard for me to be at "peace" when the laundry basket is full or the sink has dishes in it. I am working on letting things go a little more, but it is certainly hard to fight those urges to have everything, well, look "perfect". Along the lines of what one of the other moms said though, the happy noises of my girls and spending time playing with them will trump my need to clean almost every time. I also found the tip from the mom about having a mother's helper to be a great one. THat is one tip, I have to say, that has given me some extra time. I have some help (from the neighbor's daughter and from a neighborhood grandma) a few afternoons each week. They come to play a little with my girls and help me get dinner started/finished, so forth. Another tip that I'll suggest is to have Star begin to "help" mommy as best she can. I know she's 18 months, but see what happens if she sits with you to "help" you while you fold laundry (okay, so you are REALLY just giving her a pair of socks to "help" with and you really do the folding :). Or, have her "help" mommy cook (giver her some spoons and a pot or two and have her play along side you in the kitchen). Point here being that if you include her playing with your "work" (I use a lot of "quotes", huh? :) that when she gets a bit older, she really will be a little helper too. My oldest has become such the little wonderful helper! Emmy (almost-gasp- 4!)puts her dirty clothes in the washer or hamper, puts away her clean laundry, sets the table... I could go on but I know Star is much younger. I have always had Emmy "help" me and now I am starting to do the same with Ellie (14 months). By telling you about Emmy though I thought I'd give you a glimpse of what may be to come. Em even helps with her little sister! So sweet they are together!

Thanks again for all of your "help" getting me to think more about vacinations. I hope you find some extra time for things for you!

Warmly,
A.

Sounds like you could use a "mother's helper" one-half day a week--a neighborhood teen who could help with chores while you played with Star--or who could take the baby out for a walk while you mopped the floor--or who could fix dinner and do the dishes on the evening you wanted to work on your business. If you are the only one doing the housework and baby things, maybe hubby could volunteer for the role.

Or, you could do what I do and settle for a less than perfect house that is always humming with activity and warmth (with 3 boys and their wives/girlfriends, grand dogs and "adopted daughters" stopping by frequently and making themselves at home I've given up on having a perfect house. It always makes my day when visitors tell me how wonderful it is to be around us.