Time mgmt issues -productively challenged!!

**kimmee** · 01-21-2005, 01:19 PM

I don't know how you guys get it all done - I know I have lots of time "holes" were I could be more productive and efficient but I do work pretty hard and fairly quickly. My house is good sized and I never get it all done - but when I do make it all the way around all of the major living areas (only excluding the kids bedrooms) then the area I started on is already destroyed again. I never get to enjoy a neat clean house. I have tried fly lady style but she is not thorough like I like to b. I also know that I am alot like (someone here posted it) the story of the lady who is trying to take the trash out and by the time she has finished she has started a million little things everywhere and completed nothing and the trash is still sitting next to the door at the end of the day.

I wish I could get a glimpse into your smooth running homes to see how it works for you.

Do you mind sharing a snapshot of your typical daily schedule?? Like when you do what types of things and when your breks are and when do you do family time and how long you basically spend in each area...

TIA

**kimmie** · 01-21-2005, 02:41 PM

I have the exact same problem you described! Maybe we really ARE twins. You know what I found out?! I have adult ADD! I used to get so frustrated because I'd do just what the lady with the trash did. Right now I'm working on ways to combat that and I've come up with two good ones so far. Here's my humble opinion:

1. Tell my DS (5) what I'm doing and either ask for his help or ask him to remind me. It sounds strange, but he loves to help me in any way he can. So the other night when I started cleaning out the closet (a project that had to get done so DH could get in the bed when he got home from the evening shift) I asked Jacob to help me. He did. You know what? We were having so much fun I didn't get distracted once!

2. Repeat aloud what I am doing the entire time. This one will get you strange looks from husbands, children, and the UPS guy standing at the door, but it does work. To be kind to those around me, though, I try to only do that for the quickie jobs. Sometimes when I'm in an especially silly mood I will make up a crazy song about it and drive my 5 year old crazy singing it. (Hey, turnabout is fair play!)

**kimmee** · 01-21-2005, 02:49 PM

I do the song thing too - kindof Adam Sandler style - way off tune and really ridiculous!!

**Early Bird** · 01-21-2005, 03:24 PM

Try the yahoo group Motivated Mom. She has an everyday list and a list of new chores for each day. I'm still working on getting through the everyday list (1 load of laundry each day), but I can see that it's more 'me' than flylady.

**dmvezina** · 01-21-2005, 03:31 PM

OK, you asked for it!! lol

Here's my day:

Morning Routine: (starts at 6:15 am)
get dressed
start laundry
get kids up
fix breakfast & dh's lunch
check email for 15 mins
look over tasks for the day
clean up kitchen
run dishwasher, if needed
plan/start dinner
laundry check
make bed
clean up diningroom
feed cats
take vitamins
shower
s/s both baths
brush teeth
dress to shoes
laundry check
clear a hotspot
take trash out
30 mins computer time
do room of the day (mon-fri I thoroughly clean a room and Monday is also my weekly home blessing-change sheets, clean mirrors, wash floors etc)
misc items to do--anything else that may come up
empty dishwasher

Afternoon Routine: (start around 11:30)
lunch
laundry check
computer time
free time
check/start supper fixings
plan tomorrows meals
clean up kitchen
place/relist items to ebay
watch GH
fix coffeemaker for tomorrow
make Jason's sandwich for tomorrow
finish fixing supper
clean up kitchen
hotspot check
computer time

Evening Routine: (start around 9)
tidy kitchen
round up dishes
shine sink
lay out clothes
set alarm clock
hotspot check
check calendar
online time

Before Bed Routine: (whenever I'm ready for bed)
fill water glass for the night
kitchen lights out
brush teeth
wash face
tidy bathroom
bathroom lights out
livingroom lights out
check front door
turn tv off
bedroom lamp on
bedroom lights off
relax
lights out

**kimmee** · 01-21-2005, 03:47 PM

Dawn - its kindof a little bit fly lady and your own style - it looks so efficient. What are your typical "hotspots". Does anyone try to change your meals after you have planned? How long did it take you to establish your system?? Did you do a thorough once over on the house before you implemented your system/schedule?

Sorry lots of questions I know...

**dmvezina** · 01-21-2005, 04:06 PM

That's ok. I'll do my best to answer and and all questions!

First, it did take me years to establish a good routine that worked for me and every now and then I still might change it around a bit. Especially from summer to winter & vice versa.

Flylady is the basis of my routines. She does a thoroughly room cleaning once a month, however, myself & a couple of friends decided that just wasn't enough. The room would be absolutely filthy by the next month. So, I end up cleaning each room about 2x a month now.

No one really tries to change my menu plans because they don't know what I'm making until almost the last minute!! lol
I change my meal plans at the last minute though. Sometimes, I'm just not in the mood for what I had planned.

I really didn't do a "once over" before I began. It took a while, but eventually it is always pretty much neat & tidy. Mind you, my house is far from spotless, I have four kids!! lol
But, if someone stopped by unannounced, I really wouldn't be embarrassed by anything. Maybe the slipcovers that the children "ruin" when they jump into the furniture! lol

My hotspots are basically any flat surface in my house!! It's amazing the stuff that can collect in one place in a short amount of time!! End tables, coffee table, certain spots of the kitchen counters, nightstands, etc. I try to clear up 3 a day and that makes a big difference!

If you have any more questions, please ask me!! I love to help someone else out if I can!!

**matt&roxy** · 01-21-2005, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by Early Bird
Try the yahoo group Motivated Mom. She has an everyday list and a list of new chores for each day. I'm still working on getting through the everyday list (1 load of laundry each day), but I can see that it's more 'me' than flylady.

I couldn't locate Motivated Mom on Yahoo Groups. Could you post a link?

Also, I don't know where I have been since being here at the Village, but what is flylady?

**dmvezina** · 01-21-2005, 04:30 PM

My friends and I have a yahoo group also that is based on how we do our cleaning, if you're interested.
It's called ALovingHome.

**matt&roxy** · 01-21-2005, 05:49 PM

Okay, I googled flylady, I had heard of her, but didn't really understand the concept!!!!!! I really like what I have read on their! Yes, I signed up!!!! I even headed straight to my kitchen sink and now it is all shiny!!!!! I must admit, I did smile when I looked at the finished product.........

**kimmee** · 01-21-2005, 05:52 PM

yay - Roxee!! I was trying to find the site to post the link but I got distracted by a hawk circling my chickens!! Reference back to my origional post - I will probably have a chicken sitting by the door at the end of the day cuz I started so many other things that I forgot to take him out!!

**AmyBoz** · 01-21-2005, 09:23 PM

Kimmee,
I don't think a house has to be spotless to be organized. Here's a very general run-down of my day.

Get up 5:00 a.m.
Shower/get dressed
Get up Patrick - get him dressed - feed him breakfast
Empty dishwasher-refill with any dirty dishes
Sweep kitchen floor
Make/pack lunches for everyone
Get up Julia - get her dressed - feed her breakfast
Eat my breakfast
Toss load of laundry in washer
Go to work 6:30-4:00
Pick up kids from daycare, pick up girls that I watch in the afternoon
While kids have their snack:4:10-4:30
switch laundry
do a different cleaning chore each day (vacuum or dust or bathrooms, etc.)
go through mail
get dinner started
At around 4:30-6:00
play with my kids while the other two do their homework
play with my kids while helping the other two study for tests
6:00 eat dinner
Rob gives the kids their baths while I clean up the kitchen after dinner
Play with kids some more, read them bedtime stories, sing them bedtime songs, both kids in bed by 8:00
Rob and I hang out, watch tv, do some straightening up, putting away laundry during commercials, just generally spend time together
I'm usually asleep by 9:30-10:00

I do big decluttering projects on the weekends, or do part of them during the week. Julia really loves helping me out with things, and as long as we keep the door closed while we work, Patrick can safely crawl around while we work on something.

Again, I don't do DEEP CLEANING of my house. Just take a little time to clean something different each day. That keeps my house clean enough for company and enough for me to feel like I'm on top of things. Because I am constantly decluttering and organizing, I don't have too much stuff to worry about anymore.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-21-2005, 09:54 PM

Kimmee, delegate, delegate, delegate!!!!!!

Amy is right, a how doesn't have to be spotless to be organized. You also don't need to do everything in one day.

Here the kids look after their own rooms. Once a month I go through it to pick up odds and ends but its their responsibility to keep their room clean and has organized as possible. (Thats 2 rooms down.) Even Michael makes his own bed and does a pretty good job.

They also fold their own clothes. Again it means less for me to do.

Dd helps me at the post office clean, so dh and ds#1 take turns washing dishes. I do them on the weekend.

If the kids make a mess in the living room or kitchen, they clean it up. In order for them to be responsible adults they need to know they are part of the family and its their responsibility to help in keeping it running smoothly.

btw - I don't have the most organized house but its what we feel comfortable with. I'm not worried about when or if company comes. I make them welcome in whatever situation my home is in (unless its my mom).

Just remember Kimmee, you can't be anyone of us. You need to find YOUR comfort zone. You need to find where you feel the most organized. And then just do what makes Kimmee feel best. I couldn't follow Sara's cleaning plan. I was so overwhelmed and tired by the end of the first day, I bowed out. Also I don't have a dryer, I wash on Monday, I bake bread on MOnday and I homeschool all week. But I did implement a few things she does and its made it easier for me. Does that make sense.

Please don't feel pressured because others get so much done. They aren't taking care of 2 kids, a mother who at times is difficult, a s/o and umpteen animals. Just do what you can.