https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:57:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432696 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:02:37 +0000 KayKay 2432696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, that's about right. Laundry (they can play in the basement while I put a load in...and then they "help" by sorting and unfolding whatever I fold) and meals are all I plan on getting done on any given day. On top of, you know, caring for &amp; entertaining children :)</p> <p>I also try to keep the dishes put away as we go (some days are better than others), but otherwise clean up the kitchen at night when DH is home or in the morning before they get up.</p> <p>Now that they are sleeping in a bit, I have been getting up early to shower &amp; get ready for the day before they are awake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432693 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:00:32 +0000 Ree723 2432693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're similar to @lamariniere: My 3.5 yr old and 23 month old are fairly good at playing independently, although I do spend a lot of time playing with them, and they both still nap every day (3+ hrs for the younger one, 2hrs 15 min for the older) which gives me a nice break in the afternoons. DD1 doesn't sleep every time but she's really good about playing quietly in her room and reading books in bed until her tot clock tells her she can get up again. I do the vast majority of the housework during the day but always take at least an hour of nap time to sit down on the couch and either watch mindless television or read a book. Now that I'm pregnant, that tends to be more like 2 hours of their nap time is spent relaxing, but meh, whatever.</p> <p>The evenings hours are when it gets hairy - making the girls dinner, doing bath time and getting them to bed whilst solo parenting is where things generally fall apart. DH oftentimes comes home to our dinner not yet having been started, the kitchen not cleaned from the girls dinner, and the playroom still a mess. I always feel like I need to justify all that I did during the day and emphasise the fact that the house was clean before they woke up from their naps because you never can tell after nap time!</p> <p>Once our third arrives in June though, I fully expect absolutely nothing is going to get done. Ever. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432684 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:56:49 +0000 yin 2432684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds about right. I have an almost 5 year old and 2 year old at home this week. My house is always a mess, and I just focus on the basics to get through the day - cook meals, wash dishes, laundry when necessary, and caring for the kids. I give myself a break and don't mind the mess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432660 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:44:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2432660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 4 yr old and a 18 month old. They do well that sometimes they will play together but I still have to be close by. Or sometimes I can bring the little one in the kitchen with me while the older plays alone for a bit. But its not super productive by any means. If they are playing in the room, I try to just stay close and put clothes away or clean up toys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432659 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:41:40 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2432659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I barely accomplish the minimum. I just told DH that I don't sit down all day but I have nothing to show for it. My kids are 2 and 9 months. I usually get at least 1 hours worth of double nap a day but I usually spend about 10 minutes on my phone, 10 minutes reading my bible, clean up from the morning/lunch, do a short workout and it's over. I know that's more than a lot of mom's get but it's still exhausting. When I just had one kid I often got to do all those things during naps plus complete one extra chore. And on really lucky days I got to sit quetly with nothing to do for a fee minutes. That time has passed lol our house hasn't been vacuumed or mopped in like a month</p> <p>Oh and we're potty training so it's like triple the interruptions. This morning I had to get off the toilet so my LO could get on. I literally cannot do a single thing without interruption. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432643 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:35:32 +0000 sera_87 2432643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds about normal. If the younger gets clingy I throw him in the Tula and continue on. I usually get some dishes/laundry/dinner prepped/baking done during nap time (the older gets screen time or plays independently). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432619 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:20:18 +0000 skipra 2432619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my younger one was younger and clingy like yours I didn't get much accomplished. Especially since his room is right under the kitchen and doing dishes wakes him up. Now he is 20 months and it's so much easier! Both kids love to vacuum and it is motivation for them to clean up their toys. They also love to sit on the counter and play with cups and water while I do the dishes. They either help with laundry or just play in the basement while I do it. And for other things like cooking they either like to help or will play together which is amazing. We were on our way to a much cleaner house until I got pregnant and started feeling too sick to do anything. Anyway, you will get there once the clinging eases up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432540 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 07:28:16 +0000 PrincessBaby 2432540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No you are not doing anything wrong! I have a 3 yr old and a 9 month old and I feel like they play ping pong with me, as soon as I make one happy, the other one needs something. My 3yr old still takes a 2 hour nap, but it's rare that I achieve a complete double nap. Sometimes I get partial double nap, and then I'm too exhausted to do anything productive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432535 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 07:22:35 +0000 lamariniere 2432535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do get things done, but it's also because I expect my children to entertain themselves (they are 2 and 5). I mean, I will play with them or read books, but not all day long, and if there are chores to do, I do them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432465 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 03:19:04 +0000 Pumuckl 2432465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No!!! Just trying to keep everyone alive without anyone getting hurt! The only things that get done are the dishes and maybe some laundry. Sometimes I enlist my older one to help out with light housework when the younger one naps, like sweeping the floor with a broom which he loves to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432457 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 02:46:09 +0000 erinpye 2432457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3.5 year old doesn't nap, almost 2 year old is trying to drop hers so she doesn't some days, or it's short, and DD1 goes to school 5 mornings a week, 30 minutes away from our house. Even with no naps and school drop offs, I get a lot done: I keep my house clean, do dishes, laundry, play dates, art projects, we play, read stories, etc. That is only recent though, that I've been able to stay so on top of my house, because in the last few months, my youngest has become so independent, and my girls will play together for hours, sit and color together, or watch a show, and it's just so much easier to get things done, than when they were younger and clinger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432426 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 01:36:49 +0000 daniellemybelle 2432426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Making meals, cleaning up the meals and doing laundry is a productive day for me! My goal is to keep things picked up, load and unload the dishwasher so the sink is not piled up, and do one small chore a day like laundry or vacuum. I often do not achieve that goal! </p> <p>I go to the gym but there is daycare so that really doesn't count. I work during LO's naps which are (knock on wood) nice and long. And many days I screw around online half of that time.</p> <p>I make plans in the morning like playdates so I have a reason to shower and get dressed. I would never "put my face on" as y'all say if we stayed home all day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432023 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:25:07 +0000 sarac 2432023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my 4 year old and my 6 month old home, I keep the house picked up, kitchen clean, meals made. I exercise every day, and we spend most afternoons out doing something. I also do the grocery shopping and some deep cleaning. The laundry and most deep cleaning and other household stuff (bill paying, school research, pet care etc) have mostly fallen by the to my husband. I'll get back to more of that when I get to sleep more at night. </p> <p>This is only possible because I have the house very decluttered and organized, so cleaning up doesn't take that much effort. My daughter is also trained to clean up after herself with a minimum of griping. And the daily exercise really, really helps my energy levels. I would recommend it to anyone, even if it means you're plopping your kids down in front of cartoons for 30 minutes, which is what I do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2432009 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:19:54 +0000 lilteacherbee 2432009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha sounds like my days at home! Mine are 2 (never stops moving!!) and 5 months (always wants to be held), so nope. Whenever I can get a double nap, I just sit on the couch in silence and sometimes consider doing laundry/unloading the dishwasher...but mostly that happens after bedtime! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431988 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:14:33 +0000 MrsF 2431988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds a lot like my day. While I'm cleaning up one thing they're tearing up two other things. So frustrating. How can I be considering having a third??</p> <p>We do get out of the house every day (mostly so that I don't lose my mind). </p> <p>Hearing from those with older kids is very encouraging! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431950 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:02:05 +0000 coopsmama 2431950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not as much as I'd like! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431921 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:54:18 +0000 MrsSRS 2431921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Normal. I have a 7mo old and a 2.5yo. On a normal day we get out of the house for an activity, the kids get fed, I get a load of dishes and laundry done, maybe one other chores, take the kids to work with me for an hour, make dinner, and collapse. I feel like our house is gross because the bare minimum isn't enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431832 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:30:18 +0000 winniebee 2431832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: @Mrs. High Heels: I was thinking that 18 months might be the critical turning point. Of course, then we might be adding a 3rd :shocked: You are at least giving me hope!</p> <p>Ok, now I don't feel so bad. On the upside, we DO get out of the house every morning after DS2's morning nap at least for a few hours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431806 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:18:27 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 2431806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get a lot done now that the kids are 3 and 5... but that sounds normal for 3.5 and 13 months! Once the youngest turned 18 months, it really felt like a turning point bc the two really started to interact and play together a lot more. Then it just got better and better. There were more fights to break up, but less supervision needed overall~ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431795 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:13:59 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2431795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: ditto! Or more... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431792 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:12:45 +0000 BandDmommy 2431792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They are only both home on the weekend and DH is around. DS is full time preschool everyday and DD goes to daycare Tuesday - Thursday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431788 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:11:14 +0000 twodoghouse 2431788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't get anything done except entertaining the kids, cooking them meals, and some light clean up after (like washing their chairs and trays after eating). I feel pretty awesome if I manage to take a shower and switch laundry or dishes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431768 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:59:53 +0000 chopsuey 2431768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids are older, but I get a lot done.. Most days I cook 3 meals, 0-5 loads of laundry, i work out for 30 mins, shower and throw my face on, drop off and pick up my DD, we play, have play dates, do arts and crafts, dishes get done usually after the kids go to bed, house is always clean (minus the playroom).<br /> My kids don't nap, but they play well together so I can get things done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431767 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:58:45 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2431767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Remember that time I said I could work from home. HA! nothing. I get nothing done. I basically just try to survive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431754 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:50:16 +0000 Ginabean3 2431754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ha! I have two at home (6 months and almost 3 yrs) and I get nothing done unless their naps happen to overlap. The older one is a GREAT napper but the younger one, not so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431745 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:46:32 +0000 mrsjyw 2431745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like a normal day??</p> <p>If I get a load of laundry done, meals and a clean kitchen at the end of the day (plus working) I call that a very productive day. If I have my face on and I'm clean, even better!</p> <p>Some days I'll add in vacuuming and doing the floors and we like to run errands to get out of the house. </p> <p>Ds1 doesn't nap but he's in school a few days and he's good at playing by himself too. Ds2 is pretty flexible as far as naps on the go etc so it all somehow comes together! And I usually have something hot to eat for dinner w dh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431740 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:39:08 +0000 FannyMae 2431740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>bare minimum really, get the dishes done and maybe wipe down the benches, make the beds and open the windows, and maybe laundry if I can get the newborn to cooperate and have a nap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431738 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:34:00 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2431738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hahahahaha....getting stuff done, you're funny.<br /> It's a good day if I move laundry and empty the dishwasher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431714 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:16:54 +0000 mauxie 2431714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds about right!</p> <p>Right now, my 3 year old and almost 2 year old are, for the most part, on the same nap schedule so I scramble to get things done while they're asleep.</p> <p>DD is at the age where she really likes to help me with laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc, so while it ends up being a bit more hectic with her involved, it does help and kills time.. She'll clean up after herself at meals, fold towels, organize the laundry by person, etc, LOL. Then, she and bro will play by themselves for a bit so I can finish up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honestly-how-much-do-you-get-done-with-2-kids-at-home#post-2431713 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:16:46 +0000 MrsB2012 2431713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Once #2 became mobile, getting anything done is a lost cause. My kids are 2.5 and 1 (today!) and it's impossible to have a clean house. Doesn't matter what I try. I dropped my standards on 'clean' months ago hahah </p>