How do you find motivation to clean house when everyone else is sitting on their butts?

Question

I am just wondering how to get the motivation to clean the house when everyone else is sitting around playing video games or watching tv and don't want to get up to help.

Answer 1

My mum always threatens to throw something threw the tv set.  But usually that just makes us mad and not any more likely to help.  I'd turn off the video games, probably while they're still playing so it would ruin their game.

Or, if you're not as impatient as I am, give a set of different chores to each person and give them a time when everything must be completed.  If they fail to get things done, then make the vidoe games mysteriously dissappear and the TV magically unplug itself as a punishment untill they do they work you assigned to them.  Don't be too harsh, if they really did try to finish then you should probably find a lighter punishment.

Good luck getting everything cleaned up.  I'm in the process of cleaning out the basement so we can turn it into a bedroom, and I'm having a really hard time getting anything done.  But most everything is my mum or pops so I can really do much.  I hope you have better luck

Answer 2

You take charge. You turn off the games, the tv, etc and hand out chore lists. That's it.

Remember that you train people how to treat you. If this is the first wake up call they have gotten from you then it will be tough but, no meals until the chores are done. period.

Answer 3

I would use strong harsh products to the point where they can't stand it anymore. Or..Id unplug the tv...and phone.

Answer 4

How do I find the motivation to clean...I don't!  Wife does the cleaning, 'cause she's crazy clean and wouldn't even trust me to do any of it!  Lucky me...huh?

Okay, I do some stuff...help with the laundry, grocery shop and some cooking.

Answer 5

Well, I can make my daughter clean, but my husband is another story.  I usually put my ipod on and that get's me in a better mood.  I know that if I don't bug my husband and let him sit around for a while, he will eventually ask me what he can do to help.  Needless to say, I leave him a couple of things that I really don't like doing.  I also find that if I complain enough during the week (I save my main cleaning for the weekend), then they feel guilty and have some of it done for me when I get off of work on friday. LOL.

Answer 6

Honestly, do you think that badgering your husband into cleaning the house after he just got laid off is helping matters.  He is probably depressed and embarrassed as it is even if he does not show it.  As for the 2 year old, well come on thats not even funny.  The 8 year old is doing what kids normally do that age, they play.  

You ought to be ashamed of yourself---motivation----more like hey this is your job, you don't work (yet) so hold up your end of it and pick up that broom.  Times may get tough so motivating yourself to clean might be the least of your problems.  

Soap costs money you know.

So I will add this for the ones that have elected to call me names:

I believe the question was "how was the mom going to motivate herself" so it sounds more like one big long whine about the husband just not doing enough.  Some people are lucky even to have a husband.  You have to learn how to treat a man and then maybe your motivation problems will go away too.

Answer 7

put everything laying around in a trash bag, and then threaten to throw everything away unless they get up to help.  then follow through when they laugh.

Answer 8

David you are dumb, raising 2 kids is a full time job idiot.

Tell your husband to help you clean the bathrooms or you wont cook for him

Answer 9

Unplug the TVs and video game consoles, take the power cords and tell them they are going to help if they want their power cords back.  Let them whine and cry.  

My husband knows that even though I may be a stay at home mom, I'm not a maid and everyone is expected to help pick up messes and make sure things are where they belong.

Edit: My 2 year old doesn't get out of cleaning up her messes either.  She knows where the laundry basket is, she knows where her shoes go and she knows that when it's time to pick up toys and books it's her duty to help.

Edit: In response to David J: Yes her husband may have been laid off and feeling bad about himself but that doesn't mean his duties at home and to his family go on hold.  Stay at home moms don't get sick days or days off for that matter.  It's not going to kill him to help pick up or fold some laundry or take out the trash.

Answer 10

You can't expect too much from the 2 yo, but your husband, GMAB. Lay in bed sick for a few days, watch things pile up-dishes, laundry, clutter and see if he gets off of his butt then.

Answer 11

Are you the Mom? If so tell those lazy kids to help clean up.If you are one of the kids try to make them understand that work comes before play.Have your parents make up chore list for you each of you.Do yours and let them worry about doing theirs.

Answer 12

just put some music in ur ears and block them out it reallworks