https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:20:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2861132 Sun, 09 Dec 2018 12:08:38 +0000 looch 2861132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I am going to try washing the clothes by family member...right now, I do a few loads a week all mixed, and it's a jumble to get them folded and put away. I am thinking I could literally just either go in my son's room or mine to fold and put away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2861126 Sun, 09 Dec 2018 10:31:24 +0000 Foodnerd81 2861126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyoung: one thing that helps me with laundry is I try to wash the kids clothes by themselves- I’ll combine the two kids, but don’t combine with mine or DH’s. I find that makes folding organizing and putting away a little easier than when they are all jumbled together. Then i also wash DH and mine together. Generally if i do this once a week it’s a lift and dark load for the kids combined, then a light, dark, and socks and underwear load for DH and me. Plus towels or sheets whenever the hell I get around to them. (To my point above- we actually definitely have too many towels, but I have the space in a linen closet to store them and it’s really nice to have the option to put them off a few more days). </p> <p>But other than that I’m following along for more advice because I’m definitely not a neat person by nature and it’s a constant struggle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2861125 Sun, 09 Dec 2018 10:26:31 +0000 Foodnerd81 2861125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: to this laundry/ too many clothes thing- won’t you just have to do laundry more often then? Like, for my kids I pretty much have to wash everything they wear (unlike me who will rewear a pair of jeans 20 times before washing). So whether they are wearing the same ten outfits every time, or 20 outfits over the course of 20 days, I’m still washing and folding one outfit per day. I would just have to do it every week instead of having a little leeway to stretch it to two weeks. (Exaggerating these numbers for easy math). That would help with storage but not with laundry itself. I do try and do their laundry once a week at least but it’s nice to have enough clothes that i don’t absolutely have to. </p> <p>I can see more for adults- I have trouble storing all most clothes and definitely wear one tenth of my clothes. But my laundry isn’t the problem, it’s never ending kid laundry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860274 Wed, 05 Dec 2018 12:10:25 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2860274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve allowed two places in the house to be messy for long as in I won’t do anything about it for awhile- my room (clothes) and the area where LO eats his meals (I’ll pick up big stuff, but not vacuum each night. I tidy as I go and have gotten LO (2.5) in the habit. Every thing has a home and always a place it can go back to. Now actually cleaning is a different story, but the house is neat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860210 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 23:05:32 +0000 Hypatia 2860210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Slob Comes Clean book was life changing for me. Really. My house was always messy, even before kids (though kids turned it from messy to gross). I thought I would never be able to make a lasting change. But I have! It’s not like I’m a neat freak now—but if you gave me 15 minutes notice, I could have company over. So definitely check out the book or podcast!</p> <p>Here’s the the thing about laundry. There’s a high chance you have too many clothes. You and your family are probably only wearing a small percentage of what you own. I really think that no person needs more than one or two weeks worth of outfits. Here’s a post that talks about the merits of a minimalist wardrobe:</p> <p><a href="https://www.younghouselove.com/minimal-closet-wardrobe/" rel="nofollow">https://www.younghouselove.com/minimal-closet-wardrobe/</a></p> <p>So my advice would be to separate all the clothes by person, choose maybe ten outfits, and store the rest in trash bags. Just keep those few outfits for a 30 day trial, to see if you run out or clothes or if there is some item you’re missing that you’d like to take back out. Then, if it turns out you really did have too many clothes and you don’t need the extras, donate them (or store them if you want to save them for a sibling). I know going through all the clothes one by one sounds exhausting, but it doesn’t even take as long as folding and putting them away really. Tell yourself, “Tonight after the kids are in bed, I’m getting rid of this laundry problem. I’m stopping this revolving door.” I feel like unless you reduce the number of clothes, you are always going to be trying to bail yourself out of a sinking boat. At least, that was the case with my family, and while I still hate laundry, it’s made things a lot simpler. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860198 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 21:30:44 +0000 SweetCaroline 2860198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When you leave a room, take something with you that does not belong in that room and put it away (or at least get it closer to its final destination--we keep a basket by the stairs).</p> <p>Gamify your chores. If I have a bunch of crap to put away because we had a crazy day, I'll tell myself "Pick up 15 things and then I can sit down and drink a glass of water." It's amazing how fast it goes when you make random stuff up like that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860191 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 20:47:22 +0000 Iced Tea 2860191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Roomba has saved me SO much time. We have the high end one and the cheaper one from Costco. I actually like the one from Costco better because it is quieter. </p> <p>I keep on top of dishes, laundry, and general toy pick up first (mainly because I feel anxious if these are behind). Everything else just happens eventually, which is probably not the best plan. </p> <p>Make sure your kids are welcome to help. You can take a section out of your Swiffer to make it child sized (my kids LOVE it). I allow them to clean surfaces with baby wipes whenever they want. My daughter started learning to fold at two, and even the one year old likes to move laundry to the dryer and put clothes into the dresser drawers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860190 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 20:15:56 +0000 ALV91711 2860190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lowered expectations, this is what I’ve done. I have a 5.5 year old and 3 month old. These days I pretty much can get meals made, dishes done, the main floor swept/washed, laundry and groceries bought. Anything else is bonus. </p> <p>I’d pick on bigger chore you want to do each week such as bathrooms and hope to find time to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860143 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 17:36:50 +0000 gotkimchi 2860143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@smuckers: yes! Someone here recommended this to me and actually sent me her book and it has made a huge difference. Now I listen to her podcast lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860133 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 17:09:26 +0000 cyoung 2860133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: omg I just reread my title and realized what you and @kiddosc: ment ....sorry I'm so brain fogged lately lol. Haha yeah no I want to stay on the ground. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860125 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:44:28 +0000 agold 2860125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyoung: I have unending wood floors also! The need to vaccum is constant. I don't sweep inside. (I sweep rollie pollies off my back patio all the time, but that's a different issue. :silly: ) You seem to have a good attitude about it. I'm trying to have a good attitude, too! Turn on a little music to have playing in the background. It really does help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860124 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:44:10 +0000 Ajsmommy 2860124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can I just say that when I read the title i thought you meant climbing on to your roof!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860118 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:27:57 +0000 snowjewelz 2860118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyoung: Oh I know, when it's bad I just move the chore down the list. And I learned sometimes it's just gonna have to be okay. And I literally will follow them and try to clean up as we go along b/c I find that it is less time consuming to clean up at the end of the night vs just leaving the mess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860117 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:25:46 +0000 cyoung 2860117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I make lists but I HAVE to learn to stay on top of them lol </p> <p>@Lindsay05: yeah I can for sure. He will definitely help out. Itll have to be weekends for right now till peak season is over. </p> <p>@agold: dang I really need a dyson then. We have neverending wood floors!! Qlso it really does never stop. My kids are constantly making messes. They are making memories and having fun at least Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860114 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:20:46 +0000 agold 2860114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I'm hoping to manage a cleaner back into my budget. I just do not want to clean the bathrooms aside from small every day cleaning. Hey - do you have a roomba? I can't figure out how to get mine into the routine. Do you pick up EVERYTHING off of the floor before you turn it on? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860112 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 16:19:23 +0000 agold 2860112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have great advice because I'm in this exact same situation with two littles (not pregnant though!) and a husband who works nights. I also work full time! I'm finding that keeping up the house is just an unending job. It. Never. Stops. </p> <p>I agree with keeping clorox wipes under every single counter. Wipe up on the regular. A little wipe here and there will save you from having to dedicate a block of time to cleaning that area. </p> <p>Put extra trash bags inside of the trash can under the current trash bag. So you can take out the trash and replace the bag at the same time. </p> <p>GET THE DYSON CORDLESS VACCUM! You must get it somehow. Amazon has deals. Worth every single penny and more. You will vaccum all day, every day and it will become your favorite chore to do. You could use this vaccum with a baby strapped to you in a wrap, a bigger baby on your hip and your biggest baby on your back. The dyson will be the easiest thing in that situation. :silly: </p> <p>For laundry, have bins that are for clean clothes. Then you can fold the kids' clothes at night after you put them to bed, and put them folded back into the clean bin. Then move the clean bin to in front of their doors. And then bring the bin into the room in the morning and put the clothes away while the kids are waking up in their cribs. </p> <p>Ugh. Its never ending. Good luck. I need luck, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860107 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:27:09 +0000 Lindsay05 2860107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyoung: well the good news is that your oldest is almost at the age where they can actually help with small tasks. Can you do the laundry washing and have your husband fold? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860103 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:14:44 +0000 snowjewelz 2860103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh I am sorry! I do most of it at night since I WOH, but if you're so tired, do you stumble upon them napping at the same time often? I would def start by making a list; a list always kind of centers me a little. Make a list of MUST DO TODAY and MUST DO THIS WEEK, and another list that's not as urgent, but nice to be able to get done. Then just start tackling the list one by one whenever you can. And at this stage I would def just lower my expectations a lot too; you have a lot on your plate! </p> <p>I love my cordless dyson too; I vacuum multiple times a day! I also don't sort any colors for laundry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860102 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:12:48 +0000 cyoung 2860102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: unfortunately we are kinda tight right now but maybe in the future. I may have someone come before our 3rd baby gets here next year.</p> <p> @kiddosc: yeah sometimes I want to climb onto my roof but knowing my luck my kids would figure out a way to get up there too lol. </p> <p>@KT326: will definitely look into it. We have all hardwood floors and I hate sweeping cause i feel i miss stuff. </p> <p>@Lindsay05: I need to start putting away a load of laundry a day. I can wash it no problem. Its folding it that gets me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860096 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:01:36 +0000 Lindsay05 2860096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to start by tidying up. Picking up things off the floor, organizing papers on the counter, load/unload dishwasher, etc. Once things are tidied up then I start laundry. I don’t attempt to fold until it’s all washed and dried. May as well fold and put away everything at once. Once I do all of that then I feel like everything is clean enough for now. If I’m looking to deep clean well it has to happen when I have no kids around otherwise it’s 1 step forward and 2 steps back. I also try to focus on one room at a time so I don’t feel like I have to get the whole house done and then get defeated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860090 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:45:53 +0000 KT326 2860090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyoung: It is so worth the cost. DH was skeptical about spending so much on a vacuum. But I've used it daily for just about 2 years. Plus we have a really small house with no storage, I hated how much room our normal vacuum took up in the closet. Now this one lives in the corner in the kitchen (or charging in my room) and I hardly notice it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860089 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:45:43 +0000 kiddosc 2860089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have great advice because at this stage I've just accepted my house will not be clean while there are tiny people tearing it apart... but I read the title of this thread and kept waiting for the part where you asked for tips on how to get on your roof :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860087 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:42:51 +0000 cyoung 2860087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: a Dyson sounds amazing!! I may ask for it for my birth day or anniversary. They are close together </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860086 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:42:17 +0000 erinbaderin 2860086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This may not be an option but could you swing a cleaner? I had a hard time accepting the idea of paying somebody to do something I could do myself, but having somebody come every other week has made my life so much better.</p> <p>Or a Roomba? Then vacuuming is off your list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860085 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:39:09 +0000 KT326 2860085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One thing I do is keep clorox wipes in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. It makes it easy to just grab a wipe and do a quick wipe down wherever I'm at. Sometimes I do the bathroom counters while I'm brushing my teeth, the toilet while the kids are bathing, etc.</p> <p>I'm usually so tired by the end of the day but I try to dedicate just 15 minutes to cleaning. It can be running the vacuum, folding some laundry, picking up the toys. I've found that helps me stay on top of the clutter a little bit.</p> <p>Also, a cordless vacuum. I splurged on a Dyson when I was pregnant with #2 and it gets used daily. Even my 6 year old can use it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860082 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:33:42 +0000 smuckers 2860082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the "A Slob Comes Clean" podcast :) She's very realistic, and does a good job laying out just WHERE TO START when you're feeling overwhelmed. I'm not anywhere near what she would classify a "slob", but I was feeling really overwhelmed and it gave me some really nice checkpoints that have really helped me feel like I've been more on top of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-to-get-on-top-of-my-house#post-2860080 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:30:30 +0000 cyoung 2860080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First I just wanted to say I love this site and people are so kind and helpful! </p> <p>Okay so here is some background info. I'm 5 weeks pregnant and I have a 2 year old with a speech delay and a 1 year old. My husband works night shift most the time and a manager of sorts. Right now he is working "peak season" cause he works for a major packaging/ shipping company and things are busy. I dont see him all week except the weekend. </p> <p>I need help with some household balance. It feels a little chaotic right now. I'm normally a very clean and organized person, but the past few months I've been really slacking. Not cause I dont care but because mentally and physically just feel out of it and exsaughted. I am bipolar and on meds and ADHD so I cant get a bit overwhelmed sometimes. Hubby helps when he can on weekends but right now I have to do a lot. I have a TON of laundry that I need to put away and organize. I also just need to deep clean and declutter. I just dont have a ton of time cause my kids are still at that stage where they need my attention a lot. I try to clean at night when the kids go to bed but I'm so tired I dont do it. I think I'm just out of sorts and need some tips on how you ladies stay on top of everything. I'll have a 3rd baby come next year in August and I need to get on top of everything. Any cleaning schedules, videos or tips would be great! I need some motivation!!<br /> Pic of my kids just cause I think they are cute! </p> [attach=9403/18/pj88uu.600x600.PhotoGrid_1539382550322.jpg]