How I 'Try' to Keep the House Clean

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1

This was a scrapbooked chore chart I made for myself, shortly after I started teaching piano. It worked beautifully with my schedule, and allowed me to know at the end of the week that my house was clean and tidy. Then came along little man and this chore chart stayed up on my refrigerator as a reminder of how much I could get done in a day. I struggled to get one load of laundry done, and to keep the amount of dirty dishes to a minimum. Things like clean bathrooms and mopped kitchen was a luxury that I got to do on the weekend (most of the time!) while my husband watched our newborn. 

But you know, that was okay. For those first few months, as I discovered motherhood and a new skill of multitasking, it was okay that things were a bit dirty. Little man grew and I grew in my ability to clean while he napped, set up activities, and again, to multitask. My chart and schedule was so consistent before, but now looks something like this:

Daily:

Clean the Kitchen: There is no schedule for this, however, I try for the earlier the better. When Little Man is happily playing in his room, or taking an extra long time eating his breakfast, I load the dishwasher and wash the dishes. Little man loves to help me unload the dishwasher when it's time, and I make it into a game. 

One load of laundry: I load up a basket before my shower, since the hamper is in our bathroom. After my shower I then take the basket into the laundry room, and start the wash. I take yesterday's finished load on to the couch to be folded that afternoon. Technically I'm always one day behind, but I find this is working the best for me right now. 

Straiten Living room, and pick up toys: I do this about 30 minutes before my piano student comes in, since doing it any earlier would mean more time for my son to get all his toys back where they were before. Even if all else fails during my day, I try for this one thing. I never want my students complaining that they have to practice in a messy house!

Do one chore in my bathroom: Little Man still plays in his activity bouncer while I shower, so I have a very short window to gather a load of laundry, clean my bathroom, and shower. I choose to do one thing, the counter, toilet, shower, etc. so that everything gets done at least once a week. I know for some this isn't often enough, but it works for us. 

15 Minutes of De-cluttering: I follow this lady's de-cluttering calendar. Right now it is in the Kitchen, so I do it while I'm cleaning my kitchen. 

Not so Daily:

Front Bathroom:While Little man plays in the bathtub, wipe down that bathroom's sink and toilet (while keeping a sharp eye on Little Man!).  Since Little Man bathes every other day, the bathroom gets cleaned that much. I like for it to be done often since it's the bathroom my students and guests use. 

Sweep and Mop Floors: This, unfortunately , gets done sporadically. While I try to sweep often, my mopping goal is once a week. This chore, I wait for a golden opportunity, and go for it. It's getting easier to work in, because Little Man loves the broom and mop! He loves to 'help' mommy.

Organize and clean Little Man's Room: I am not as consistent as I should be with this. I do it when it gets too chaotic for my liking. This should probably be on my daily list!

Vacuum: Little Man hates the vacuum cleaner! 

Monthly:

I am trying to be honest here, so I am doing just that. I am a bit embarrassed that both of these are on this list. 

Dusting: This used to be my household chore when I was a kid, so maybe that it why it's so hard for me get motivation to do!

Guest Bedroom: I have my in-laws in about once a month, so I take one week out of the month, and try to focus on it. Sheets, bathroom, and straightening. I should probably do the bathroom more often, but it hardly gets used, and so far has worked for our family. 

I still haven't gotten in to an extra deep clean, once-a-month regimen. I try to take a couple of weeks in the spring and fall and do some of that. Now that Little Man is older, it's easier to add something like that.

Schedules can change overnight. The key is to step back every once in a while (I normally do this when I get too overwhelmed. It's probably best to step back a bit before then.) and see what needs to be tweaked and changed. Don't worry that you don't feel as productive as you used to, just figure out what works best for you and your family. 

Do you keep a chore 'schedule'? What does it look like?