September is here! School is back in full swing all over the city. It's now time to buckle down and get back into a routine! Out of that lazy summer swing of things!
I used to HATE routines. Mainly when it came to food and such but that was pre-children! I often gave my husband a hard time about his "Routines". I'm now pushing 30 and begging for a routine! Structure! Help! A kick in the ass to get me out of this tired and lazy hole I've managed to dig myself into and can not get out! My life feels like one big beautiful disaster! And that needs to change!
I posted on Facebook the other night about how I do not know how working single parents do it! Hats off to them! I get the working, picking up the kids and cooking dinner and bed time routines... but then there's the house! The chores! Organization! My business! Me time.... and the non-existing Date Nights! Now those who were or are actual single working parents said it's not easy! It's hard! My mom said, and I quote "Why do you think I'm such a shitty housekeeper!" And she really is. LOL She can cook a damn good meal but omg she can not clean! I give her props for trying to help me once in a while around my house tho! The most amusing part to my post to me were all the Stay at Home Mom's who piped in! No offence to all my SAHM friends but it wasn't aimed at you! I don't know how you keep up with housework either but like I said it's like having any job... If you stay on top of it then it's doable! BUT most of you are at home all day. Working Parents are not! I want to hear from the people who are not at home all day! What kind of systems work for those who have 2 or more jobs to keep their head above water! How do they teach their children (or spouses) to help out and not be bitter about it! Do they sleep? Have they given up on "Me" time... "Our" time? Like I have? I do know a lot of SAHM that leave most of the cleaning until after bed time! It's easier then trying to keep up with kids running around! So I guess in a way it's the same! But again. What are you giving up to keep up?
I am not single but there are days I feel like I am and just have an extra child to take care of. My husband is an amazing hard working man but when it comes to household chores it's like asking our 5 year old to pick up his toys! I get the "In a Minute", "I'll get to it when I get to it", "Yes Dear" or the dreaded eye roll and heavy sigh! I try and point out that he freaks when our son does that to him! That if he can not help me when I ask then he can not expect the same out of our boys! There are times where I just let it go. I don't ask. I just do it all on my own. And then it gets to the point that I'm too tired to care and just stop doing it all. My house then looks as if a tornado went through. And then pms kicks in and I freak out about once a month! I cry and yell and beg for help! Things are good for about a week and then the cycle returns! Once in a while Steve will have a PMS fit about the house and I'll just sit there with a smirk and chuckling in my head! It's pretty entertaining at times! Especially when he makes me laugh when I'm trying to freak out! Ugh I hate that! I just want to get mad!
So that being said. I need to find a routine that works for us! Simple, to the point! Back to Basics type of thing! Something we can all do together to avoid Erin's monthly break down!!!! I can call it The Save the Family from Monster Mom Program! ha!
I am going to need supplies to help me create a system that works for the Working Class Parents who have two hours to fit in a days worth of chores!
Deepfreeze, bins, baskets, labels and possibly a big as cluttering cleaning job!
Some days I feel like we are hoarders that hide it well! We have boxes full of shit we haven't seen in over 6 years and yet it's still there! Then there's the papers, cd's, clothes and toys. Oh gawd the toys. WE DO NOT NEED ANY MORE TOYS!
I need to tackle one room at a time! My my shopping list and schedule in the time and JUST DO IT! Now this is where I ask for help!!!!
I would love to hear from the Working Class Parent (Single or Couples)! I want to hear about your fantastic duties and organizing tips and tricks! (Other then just drinking a lot of wine which was a facebook comment I absolutely LOVE! lol)
And which products do you, have you found useful?
Here's to another School Year!
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I am a "pet parent" to two rambuncious dogs and four cats - one of which is geriatric has lots of "accidents." The house gets messy. And quick. There is fur, there is mud, there are toys everywhere. And sometimes I come home to baseboards, doors or walls that need a bit of sanding and some fresh paint. My partner and I both work full time. He is also in two bands on top of that, and I have a side business that I tend to evenings and weekends. Add to that foster parenting and volunteer work and, well, I can relate.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself very lucky to have someone that helps around the house, and without me having to ask 95% of the time, but it's still super tough to keep up and find time for myself and us. My "fur kids" will never be able to help, although the chewing (cross your fingers) will eventually stop. Too bad the mess won't!
Taking a deep breath when you get overwhelmed is a good place to start. But it doesn't make things go away or clean themselves. For me, simplifying was a huge help. Unclutter closets, thin the dishes cupboards. Open those boxes and anything you didn't miss - donate to a charity or post on Kijiji.
Need help? Take the toys and games away. With all that new closet space, you'll have a good place to stash 'em ;) Need hubby's help? No dinner until it's done. Or hide something he can't do without. Hairdryer? TV remote? Or just sit down and have chat. Explain how trying to keep up with everything is wearing you thin. That you want a date night but you need help to make it happen. Marriage or partnership has a lot to do with teamwork. Helping each other. Supporting each other. Sometimes people just need a reminder. And of course, there are always friends.
Good luck!