Other things I thought about after my post on cleaning:
1. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor will your house be cleaned in one.
2. Only ONE project at a time!
3. If you get it out, you put it away.
4. Don't pull out more than you can put back in one hour.
5. Some of us gravitate towards order, while others of us gravitate towards chaos (I do!), but children do better with order and a schedule.
6. Food is to be eaten in the kitchen and dining room ONLY!
7. Take care of the "have to's" so you can get to the "want to's"
8. Try something for 3 weeks...form a habit...if after 3 weeks it isn't working, try something else!
9. Take a week off and clean, one room at a time. Start with a clean house. A clean house is easier to clean, than a messy one!
10. Cut down on toys, clutter, and clothes.
11. Deal with each load of laundry as it comes out of the dryer...the bigger the pile of laundry, the more overwhelmed everyone feels!
12. When giving chores to children, do not be vague by saying "clean the bathroom," instead list everything that should be done while cleaning a bathroom. You might think the children would know what to clean, but by being vague, you overwhelm them.
13. In each room of our house, we have a detailed cleaning list for that room taped in a spot, such as a cabinet door, a drawer, or the entertainment center...this really helps the children remember what needs to be done in each room.
14. Make daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, and yearly chore lists (inside and outside)...and break them up and add them to the motivated mom planner if they aren't already on there.
Good websites:
Happy Homemaking and Home Keeping!
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