Question for Stay at Home Moms

[Cinerbelle]

I am a new SAHM. I have worked for the past 23 years and now find myself at home.

My question is... how do you motivate yourself to work around the house?? My kids went back to school on Wed. (8-11) and for the past 3 days I have had the best plans to get SOOO much done... nothing has gotten done except all of the laundry is caught up on (which has NEVER happened)... I guess that is good, but I had planned on my house sparkling by today and I just have no eumf to get off my butt. HELP!!

 

[handinpocket]

I have no idea what could help you. I work for a living and still find the time to come home and do what needs to be done. I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Cinerbelle]

I'm not living in filth... I just thought I would have all the DEEP cleaning done and have no motivation...

Thanks for your input, but why did you even respond if you are going to be nasty?

 

[Mommy2three]

keep the tv shut off...and put on some of your favorite tunes..usually gets me in the mood. i have been a stay at home mom now for 5 years..start with one room, get that room done..take a short break..then move to the next room..

I also make a list of what needs to be done in each room, that helps keep me motivated too, so then i can see the progress cuz i check each thing off as it gets done..

hope that helps!

 

[Cinerbelle]

Thank you Mommy2three... these are the ideas I was looking for!

 

[golfgal]

It always took me about 3 weeks to settle into a new routine when the kids went back to school. I pretty much tried to get most of the cleaning done in the morning before I showered so it wasn't as easy to find something more fun to do I would do one "big" thing each day, laundry, scrub floors, etc. and do general picking up each day. On Friday I did most of my dusting/vacuuming/bathroom cleaning so we wouldn't have to worry about it on the weekends. I also did a lot of volunteer work so that worked into the schedule as well. I was pretty much done doing stuff by the time the kids got home, then I would help with homework, get diner ready, etc. As the kids got older a lot of afternoons were spend taking them to various practices, etc. too.

 

[wdwiala]

I find that the busier my schedule, the better I am at making the most of my time. My kids started back to school on Wed. and I don't have committments until I go back to school myself in a couple of weeks.
Um....I basically slept and vegged the last few days. It was awesome! Don't tell my hubby! My life will go crazy soon enough.

I guess that wasn't a solution but just wanted to tell you I understand.

Tonight? Tonight I have spent cleaning behind and under my bed. Party is over!

 

[PigletsMommy]

I've had the same problem this week for some reason... I'm blaming it on the heat

I've only been a SAHM for a year but I've always had problems being motivated around the house. Some people are obsessive about cleanliness... some are not. My home is by no means, dirty, but it sure can get messy quick! I also babysit for a few other children during the day... they can be QUITE a distraction! I refuse to spend ALL of my free time cleaning. DD is only little once. I don't want to miss out on those little things because I didn't get the laundry caught up or all of the dishes washed.

The first thing I did was was make a weekly schedule for myself. I have daily chores...and then weekly ones. Each day of the week is assigned as a deep cleaning to one or 2 rooms of my house. I do choose one day a week to take things easy though. The list may seem silly to some people, but it keeps me on track. Otherwise I would spend all of my day on the DIS

 

[Polyluvr]

I 2nd the music suggestion; it really does help-the tv in the background is a no-no!

Good luck it really does get better; it's an adjustment when the kids go back to school and you're like "What to do-what to do?"

 

[kpm76]

I have no idea what could help you. I work for a living and still find the time to come home and do what needs to be done. I don't know what to tell you.

Honestly, do you think this is helpful or are you just trying to make the OP feel bad and make yourself feel good?

OP, I have a 3 yr old and one due any day so I do find it extremely hard to keep up the cleaning regimen. The other issue I have is that because we are home all day, the house gets a lot more wear and tear than it would if we were out of the house so I find that especially challenging. I have started a schedule where I clean one or two rooms a day each week so that I don't feel overwhelmed. For example, bathrooms on Monday, living room on Tuesday etc. Hope this helps

 

[diznygirl]

keep the tv shut off...and put on some of your favorite tunes..usually gets me in the mood. i have been a stay at home mom now for 5 years..start with one room, get that room done..take a short break..then move to the next room..

I also make a list of what needs to be done in each room, that helps keep me motivated too, so then i can see the progress cuz i check each thing off as it gets done..

hope that helps!

Music is a great motivator - and I love checking things off a list. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Also, the list helps me remember what needs to get done.

The first thing I did was was make a weekly schedule for myself. I have daily chores...and then weekly ones. Each day of the week is assigned as a deep cleaning to one or 2 rooms of my house. I do choose one day a week to take things easy though. The list may seem silly to some people, but it keeps me on track. Otherwise I would spend all of my day on the DIS

I like the daily and weekly schedule thing. I've been wanting to get more organized. Thanks!

 

[handinpocket]

Honestly, do you think this is helpful or are you just trying to make the OP feel bad and make yourself feel good?

I'm not worried if it is helpful or not, I'm just responding. Her kids are in school and she has no desire to get up and clean. If I was honest, I would tell her to just quit being lazy, jmo.

 

[diznygirl]

I'm not worried if it is helpful or not, I'm just responding. Her kids are in school and she has no desire to get up and clean. If I was honest, I would tell her to just quit being lazy, jmo.

You're a peach.

 

[dimimi]

I had a friend who was like you. She had a very high powered position, making 6 figures years ago...and then she decided to stay home with her children.

She had a hard time adjusting to staying home. So she made her new homemaking job her career. She had certain goals/assignment/jobs for herself everyday. Of course, in her paying career, she always had deadlines, so this worked for her.

I understand what you are feeling. I am a teacher and now with 3 weeks left before school starts I am starting to get a routine of keeping up with the house. I do keep the laundry done too!

Enjoy.

 

[SA53]

I love Flylady . It is a great, free online program that gives you checklists and breaks down chores into smaller jobs. My problem is getting distracted by things like, hmmm, the Disboard...

I feel your pain and have promised myself to use Flylady everyday once the kids go back to school...

K in SA

 

[MaumeeMom]

I'm not worried if it is helpful or not, I'm just responding. Her kids are in school and she has no desire to get up and clean. If I was honest, I would tell her to just quit being lazy, jmo.

This was unnecessary. Do you feel superior now?

OP: I understand what you are going through. Quitting work to be a SAHM is a big adjustment. I know exactly how you feel. I had all kinds of grand plans for cleaning and sprucing up our house when I quit my job. It didn't happen but baby #2 did so my life was totally changed but in a good way.

I think some of the problem is that there is just so much to do when you think that you have all the time in the world that it gets hard to prioritize what needs done. Concentrate on one area or one big chore a day - that helps me. Also, keep time for yourself - you don't have to be a full time maid just because you aren't working. Volunteer, go to lunch with the girls, have some fun as a reward for the housework.

I don't think you are lazy - just overwhelmed. Ive been there; good luck!

 

[xanphylus]

i have that whole distraction problem too.... and also this really cute, nearly 2 year old little boy that keeps following me around undoing every cleaning thing I have done each day....
My house is by no means a complete disaster area, but it sure won't be on the cover of Living Magazine any time soon! My kids have more clutter and crap than I could ever dream of, and somehow, it never stays in their rooms.
I try to clean up as we go every day, vacuum as DS naps (he is terrified of the vacuum! ) and dust as necessary. DD9 is in charge of the dishes and DH usually does most of the laundry... man I love him for that! I am only obsessive about the kitchen being clean... I clean behind everyone in my kitchen. Drives DH nuts.... and sometimes the bathrooms, but that's only due to DD not being able to keep the toothpaste chunks in the sink to a minimum....
On the weekends- our house goes to shreds, and I do a major clean up on Monday as soon as the school bus leaves and the DH goes to bed (he works nights).

 

[PigletsMommy]

I'm not worried if it is helpful or not, I'm just responding.

But the question was directed to SAHM...which you, by your own words, are not.

Therefore... you need not respond. Have a nice night!

 

[SaraJayne]

I've been a SAHM for 13 years and after being with the kids 24/7 during the summer (my DH travels a lot for work) I give myself a week after the kids go back to do nothing.

If I want to go back to sleep after they get on the bus, I do. If I want to play on the computer all day, I do. If I want to read for a bit, I do. Of course, that's in between taking care of the necessities to keep us clothed, fed and not living in filth.

After that first week, then I get down to business.

For me, turning off the TV and turning up *my* music is the greatest motivator.

Our house is pretty tidy to begin with, but there are always things that can be done.

Good luck ~ I know how hard it is!

 

[wdwfan16]

I find I do best when I make a list of things I want to get done and then pick one or two to do each day. It is easy to just say "I will do that tomorrow" and tomorrow never comes.