So, I made the rolls. The ones that have been mocking me since last Tuesday. The ones I forgot to make and then we had to make up a dinner and then put off for the rest of the week. The ones that don't take a lot of time but have to be made in the morning because there there is a lot of letting them sit in between steps. I do have to be home for several hours to make them. So, I planned to stay home yesterday morning and cook them. This way they are done and whenever we decide to make that soup this week we will have rolls. So, that is done. But I also wanted to make banana bread and that did not happen.
But it leaves me with the question - how come there is still not enough time? When I worked I had more to do. I had kids to entertain (or at least watch so that they played nicely), I had meals to make (for a much bigger crowd), I had many more diapers to change, there was more straightening of toys to do and oh about a thousand other things. I was busy. So, it was no big surprise that laundry was not always done and the house was rarely spotless (unless of course company was coming then it was clean - as long as you didn't look into closets). But what is my excuse now?
I have none. I mean my house is cleaner - both bathrooms have been cleaned twice since I quit my job(with the exception of the mirrors - I keep forgetting them because the windex is on top of my fridge, I need to move it), the laundry gets done more regularly. Although I did do two loads this weekend. My bed gets made everyday. The dishes are washed after every meal and my garbage actually gets taken out before it is overflowing to the point that the dog is getting into it. But still, my room is a cluttered mess again, the family room is getting there and I have not vacuumed, with the exception of the entryway, in over a week.
So, what in the world did I do today? Let's see.... we got up at 8:45 (we were out late last night so everyone slept in). We had breakfast, I did the dishes and got the kids dressed. Then they played while I started the rolls. I put in a call to our agency coordinator, I folded laundry, I finished the rolls, I made some cookies for the kids to have with lunch. I carried and wore Big Sister on and off all morning, I made lunch (mac and cheese). I put Big Sister down for a nap. I pumped (so there will still be plenty of milk for Little Sister). I went through my email. I got Big Sister up from her nap. I went to head on out to the post office only to realiize I needed the paperwork notarized. I called the library and the bank only to find out that the notaries were gone for the day. I got frustrated. I spent some time letting my kids make me laugh. I remembered there was a concert in our village tonight so I looked up what time that was at. I put laundry away. I folded more laundry. I spent a few minutes with the fanily while Hubby and Big Brother made dinner. And then we all went out for ice cream and to the concert.
So, I am not sure I have this SAHM thing down just yet. My house should be cleaner. My laundry should not be getting done on the weekend. I should be doing while Hubby is at work. But this is the best I can do and it is an ongoing tackle that I hope I get better at over time. Head on over to 5minutesformom for more takcles.
But it leaves me with the question - how come there is still not enough time? When I worked I had more to do. I had kids to entertain (or at least watch so that they played nicely), I had meals to make (for a much bigger crowd), I had many more diapers to change, there was more straightening of toys to do and oh about a thousand other things. I was busy. So, it was no big surprise that laundry was not always done and the house was rarely spotless (unless of course company was coming then it was clean - as long as you didn't look into closets). But what is my excuse now?
I have none. I mean my house is cleaner - both bathrooms have been cleaned twice since I quit my job(with the exception of the mirrors - I keep forgetting them because the windex is on top of my fridge, I need to move it), the laundry gets done more regularly. Although I did do two loads this weekend. My bed gets made everyday. The dishes are washed after every meal and my garbage actually gets taken out before it is overflowing to the point that the dog is getting into it. But still, my room is a cluttered mess again, the family room is getting there and I have not vacuumed, with the exception of the entryway, in over a week.
So, what in the world did I do today? Let's see.... we got up at 8:45 (we were out late last night so everyone slept in). We had breakfast, I did the dishes and got the kids dressed. Then they played while I started the rolls. I put in a call to our agency coordinator, I folded laundry, I finished the rolls, I made some cookies for the kids to have with lunch. I carried and wore Big Sister on and off all morning, I made lunch (mac and cheese). I put Big Sister down for a nap. I pumped (so there will still be plenty of milk for Little Sister). I went through my email. I got Big Sister up from her nap. I went to head on out to the post office only to realiize I needed the paperwork notarized. I called the library and the bank only to find out that the notaries were gone for the day. I got frustrated. I spent some time letting my kids make me laugh. I remembered there was a concert in our village tonight so I looked up what time that was at. I put laundry away. I folded more laundry. I spent a few minutes with the fanily while Hubby and Big Brother made dinner. And then we all went out for ice cream and to the concert.So, I am not sure I have this SAHM thing down just yet. My house should be cleaner. My laundry should not be getting done on the weekend. I should be doing while Hubby is at work. But this is the best I can do and it is an ongoing tackle that I hope I get better at over time. Head on over to 5minutesformom for more takcles.
i'd say that your house probably shouldn't be cleaner!! sounds like it is clean enough and you still have time to enjoy your kiddos! shush that laundry and laugh w/ the kids again!! ; )
ReplyDeletealso--wondering if you're adopting?? (its my first visit here after you visited my babywearing stash.) we're in the process and just sounded like maybe you are, too??!
I think you're doing a great job. YOu just don't give yourself enough credit. Being a SAHM is one of the hardest jobs ever!!
ReplyDeleteYou use a lot of "shoulds" in your post...according to whom? No one can tell you what works for you. If you do laundry when your husband is home because that is when you can fit it in, then that's what works for you. We are so hard on ourselves as moms, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are doing well! I think it was takes time. My mom is so much better at it than me!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever figure out how to get all done in a day, let me know! Every morning I have a list of what I want to get done that day, and by evening I feel pretty good if I get half of it done! Oh, well, spending time with my kids is much more important than having a clean house.
ReplyDeleteDitto to the above comment! There will always be something that has to be done... Always. That's just life and something I am trying to embrace.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, there is never enough time to get everything done. . . my new goal is to keep the house clean enough so it's not a health hazard and so I would not be mortified if company dropped by. I'd say I succeed in that about 60% of the time. A barely damp washcloth does a good job of cleaning toothpaste and such off mirrors, by the way :)
ReplyDeleteyou know i have never understood how sahm actually can get the house clean and the laundry done....i really think that being with the kiddos and spending quality time with them is the important thing....
ReplyDeletebut then again....what do i know
i have no kids!!
:)
i do know .... when i was a nanny....
i loved that the responsibilities of household duties was left to the maid....
ahh what a life that family had!!
and one that i wish never to have...
i want to raise my own babies...
and get frustrated over my own mess...
and leave my laundry to be in huge piles...
and have dinner be late, because i chose to play with my babies...rather than other things!
it turns out that when you become a SAHM, your priorities start to change ever so subtly and the things that you thought you'd be accomplishing when you were home are suddenly not the things that get done. sure the house may be a little cleaner, but the truth is, even when we're busy, our houses tend to be as clean as we are prone to keeping them. but the best things are the ones you do take the time for, like playing with the kids, wearing big sister, and having a chance to take pictures of them smiling.
ReplyDeleteI totally hear you. I feel like I have waaaaaay less time now that I am a SAHM than I did when I was working and being a mom.
ReplyDeleteIt took me most of this morning to catch up on laundry from 2 weeks. I'm not totally caught up. Just caught up enough. Like you posted, to finish what I did, I kept detouring to fix other things along the way so I could keep moving forward with laundry.
And: I have quiche cooling in the oven. I've been meaning to make some for a month. Go us!
I know how you feel, thinking that more "should" be getting done, but you don't need to put yourself under that kind of pressure. It sounds like you're doing fine. Every day at home is different. Some days, more gets done; some days, less gets done. Enjoy each day no matter what chores do or don't get done. The days of children growing up go by so quickly. My children are 32, 19, and 15 (my only one still at home).
ReplyDelete