The results are in! Did you participate in my poll? It's closed now (see right margin) and Ben teased me about only having seven people vote. Apparently that is not "statistically significant." But our results fell into a bell curve - so how could that not be accurate? We like having our geek discussions. Anyway, thanks to those who voted.
One of my New Year's Resolutions was to stick to my cleaning schedule (pictured above). I've always had one (thanks Mom!) and followed it occasionally, but this year I changed it to fit our new house and lifestyle and I made a goal to actually DO IT. My motivation is the most important part though:
Ever since we moved to our new house, I feel like I'm always either cleaning or feeling guilty for not cleaning. I don't expect to have a spotless house with kids. But messes make me grumpy and even the kids have more fun when they aren't tripping on toys. So I made up my cleaning schedule, with daily and weekly tasks:
I've had some interesting feedback when people have asked what my resolution is. Some are shocked that I only vacuum once a week (thus the poll) and others say "I could never do that." Maybe not, but I think it's worth a shot. I've heard that if you can stick with a goal for six weeks, you're likely to make it a long-term habit. Well I almost made it, but I think I'm going to push myself for another six and see what happens. One rule I do have is that if I miss a big task, I skip it and wait until the next week. Not what you were expecting? Remember that I set my goal to cut down on guilt. The toilet can wait until next week. (Maybe the laundry can't.) But I'd rather miss a day than continue being behind. Attitude is everything!
Here are the top five benefits I've seen already, in the last two months:
1. Peace of mind. When the cleaning's done, it's DONE. I play with the kids and work on projects that I want to!
2. I spend LESS time cleaning. Really. (The daily tasks are important for this one.)
3. The house is deep cleaned and always ready for guests.
4. The kids know I will do my cleaning every morning and they love to help. Or they play somewhat nicely while I get it done.
5. Our family has noticed the difference. Ben knows when the laundry fairy will visit, and I don't mind the kids playing, aka making messes. The maid (that's me!) will clean it up when it's time, but I'm not on-call 24/7. This reason is the hardest to explain but it's my favorite.
This post was probably too long, but I'm hoping it will keep me going on my resolution. I challenge all of you to try it out, if you want to make a positive change. Feel free to leave honest comments. You're also welcome to come see my house as proof. What a joke - you'll see messes as proof that we're living here - but you'll also find clean toilets, playing kids, and a happy mother. Good luck to all of you!
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9 comments:
Ben teased you about "only 7 respondents"?? How many did he get on his poll?
I noticed the first thing on your "Daily Chores" is "shower." Two things: (1)It's funny that it's a chore; (2) You'd be shocked at how little I shower per week.
I think you're doing great with your resolution! I do the FlyLady thing (very loosely at this stage of the pregnancy) and my house typically looks pretty good even on days I don't feel like moving off my butt much. The only things I could use help with now-a-days since my center of gravity has changed are floor-scrubbing, tub-scrubbing and toilet-cleaning.
Yes, I shower every day. Maybe that will be the topic of my next poll. I love showering but it does become a chore when it has to be done quickly between throwing breakfast on the table and getting a baby out of her crib. =o)
As for being pregnant... no rules apply. Good luck with that. I got good at mopping with a rag under my foot. I don't remember the others being an issue. So either they didn't bother me with a belly, or they didn't get done. Hmmm.
I love the chore chart. very smart. Showering is not on my everyday list. But thats o.k. as long as I don't have B.O. right? anyway. I was one of yuor poll voters and I vacume once a week.
unless there is a mess or people are coming over. I really should do laundry twice a week. I really hate it. I do it but never fold it and end up with piles of unfolded laudry on my bedroom floor. I wish I had a laudry fairy. I have a lot of goals to accomplish this year and laundry is not one of them. maybe it will make it to next years!
I remember you telling me that you had a list of chores you did every day. You inspired me to write one up too but then I never did it. It would be so nice if I actually followed it! I think it is a great idea. You have just recommitted me!! Good job at keeping with it for 6 weeks. Way to go!
This is great! I have been trying to do something similar but haven't really made it a serious goal, thus I have guilt... So you have inspired me to try again. Thanks
Good job, kristen! I didn't get to vote, but I vacuum once a week. I think you know that I don't keep THAT clean of a house, but I am also trying to do better. I've figured a few things out. One is that right now while Maddie is at a friends, and the other 2 are asleep, I should be CLEANING, not checking BLOGS!:)
Heidi, no way! If your kids are asleep or otherwise occupied, I say ENJOY yourself! Read a book, take a nap, scrapbook, or read blogs. =o) I seriously only clean when my kids are around. They can help or learn from it, and the tiny ones can be patient for a little bit at a time. Those "free" moments are too precious to spend cleaning! Well, according to me...
Hi Happy Cleaning Lady,
Looks like you generated real interest on this one.
I like my house to be clean also and somewhere along the line I asked myself "why?". I think I figured out that for me, I get totally confused when the house is a mess. I feel out of out sorts and start losing things. Once it gets below a certain level I start wishing for that magic want. I also realized some time ago that I have dust allergies. A great inspiration for dusting and vacuuming. all this said, I have known many people who are absolutely not phased one iota by mess. They seem to have an internal order that just won't stop and don't seem hampered by germs in the least. If I could be one of them, I would. But we are what we are. Yes?
I have never really been sure if cleanliness is next to Godliness, but I don't see how it can hurt as long as the family goes along with it and it is not a big trial. There are enough of those already.
Look forward to your next survey
I love that sign! So funny.
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