this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2024
94 points (94.3% liked)

Ask Lemmy

26270 readers
1374 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either [email protected] or [email protected]. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email [email protected]. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

I have three with one on the way. It's a constant struggle to keep the place livable. Before I had children I was not a neat person and kept things livable by not doing things that made mess and staying out as much as possible. Can't do that with kids, so what's the trick?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Birdie 12 points 6 months ago

It really depends on your level of tolerance. I recommend really developing tolerance for "things out of place" and learn not to confuse that with "dirty house."

Put some baskets out to round up toys. Involve your children in picking up. If they are old enough to pick a toy up, they're old enough to put it in the basket. But remember, toys strewn about are the sign of children who love to play, so don't let it stress you!

Do what my mom recommended: Give your house a lick and a promise! Keep floors and surfaces reasonably clear, dust at eye level and down when you have time, dust mop the floors as often as you can. Keep Lysol wipes in the bathroom and wipe the lavatory, counters and toilet daily. Those are the areas your children will come in contact with daily, so those are the areas you try to get to. Wash dishes as you go and let them drip dry...I frequently used drip dried dishes without them ever getting put away between meals! And don't stress! Kids really read our moods and it's better they have a relaxed happy momma than a spotless house.

As your kids get older, normalize their participation in keeping their living space clean.

Here is the most important and vital advice I have to give: People before things. People, even little ones, always come first. Tend to your babies and enjoy them and their little messes! I am 71 so my children are grown. They do not talk about how our ceiling fans were dusty. They talk about how I would get down on the floor and play with them, how I read to them, how I let them use couch cushions, tables, chairs and blankets to build forts.

You're in the thick of it right now, so it probably feels like this stage of your life will last forever. The days are long, but the years are short. They will be grown in a blink of your eye, so don't miss their childhood. That ceiling fan can wait!