What have you found is the best way to balance 3 children, work fulltime and keep your house clean too?

Question

yeah sounds funny i know, but sometimes it is just overwhelming to try and balance everything. work is great, love the job. the kids are the greatest joy in my life. lol if only the house were clean everyday. no legos to step on, nostubbing your toes on cars etc... so how do you keep everything under control?

Answer 1

lol my mom says that having her mom clean while she was babysitting me lol.  Really it is hard to even balance 2 kids and not working and keeping a clean house.  I guess if your kids are atleast in school or daycare that would cut back on some mess and maybe clean after everyone is asleep at night before you head to bed.

Answer 2

If you're working then find someone to come clean your house once a week. Check craigslist or ask around if there is a stay at home mom that needs to earn money but needs to be able to keep kids with her. Worked for me. Saved my marriage, lol.

Answer 3

I am in the same boat - 3 kids, job and big ole 4 bedroom house with a family room.  

I have my older 2 (8 and 4) clean up as they go along.  So if they want to start a new activity, they have to put away the old.  My son is 15 months and his mainstay of play is simpling dumping things out and moving on.  I think he enjoys the sound things make hitting the floor!  With him, there are some days I put toys away (like legos) just so I dont have to pick them up.  As for anything else, I just kind of shove them to the outskirts of the room or I have a few big bins for the small ones.  Toys aren't forever and I don't worry too much about what the house looks like to anyone else.  

I also have been implementing rules about getting new things.  When they want a new toy or even a toy from a garage sale, they need to give or pack away one they have.  

To really clean tho, I have a maid service come every other week to do the house once over.

Answer 4

LOL I have a 3, 4 and 5 year old - so I really feel your question. I have found what works best for me is the following :

I clean EVERY night when I put the children in bed...

5:30pm - Dinner

6:15pm - Bath Time

7:00pm - I usually put the kids in bed around 7, They lay there, watch a movie of their choice....that way come 8 - 8:30 they are ready to go to sleep. I do this for "ME" time.

I always have them clean up their toys around 4:30, this gives them an hour to pick up the disaster they created throughout the day. That way at 7 when they lay down, I basically just have to put on a load of laundry, wash the dinner dishes, sweep and wipe off the table. By the time 8/8:30 rolls around, Im done doing the cleaning and am ready to relax, shower, read, do I what I like to do.

As far as working, I would have to work a 11pm-7am job, that way my husband can stay home with the kids, and I don't have to pay for a babysitter throughout the day - what's the point in working just to pay off a baby sitter for 3 children every week right?..... That way, whatever money I make working, contributes to the family.... my children go to school this year, so next month, I plan on working, - when I get off work, kids will be heading to school, hubby to work, I can sleep, get up with the kids when they get out of school, cook, clean, bathe, nap a hour or so, and head off to work....

hope this helps!

Answer 5

I would say I will let you know in about 5 years, but yeah I dont forsee myself acheiving a feat like that. Good luck on your mission almost-impossible : )

Answer 6

idk. But if you fine out will you please tell me. I am dying for that answer. :)