Its a never ending cycle - cleaning

mckayleesmom wrote: I clean and pick up every night. I usually pick up all the toys, vaccume and do the dishes....sweep and mop if neccessary. Every morning it takes about 10 minutes for the house to look like its never been cleaned. It looks so nice and cute at night and looks like a tornado hit by 10 the next day. Does anyone have a really clean house and toddlers? Whats your secret??

PrairieMom replied:
clean house with toddlers? Your kidding right?!

booey2 replied: I gave up that fight a long time ago. Now we they (the boys are older 4 and 7) it is much easier. We also found that once we removed the toys from our front family/living room things were easier to pick-up each night, because they had to bring toys from their room to play with and take them back when they were done. Now their rooms are another story altogether.

5littleladies replied: Ugh-Don't get me started!!! I don't think anyone in my house understands the meaning of clean but me.

MamaJAM replied: Clean house with toddlers......total oxymoron....makes as much sense as jumbo shrimp

luvmykids replied: Oh you picked my favorite subject! I'm the same as you, I straighten up every night (and during naps) but the house never looks like it's been touched. I gave up. I do what I can do and have learned to live with it (for right now).

C&K*s Mommie replied: No secrets... not sure if there is one. Except to VERY strict. <<~~~not me at all!

I am like most people. I make a habit to clean up daily, and pick up when it needs to be throughout the day. I also am constantly reminding the girls to keep their toys in the playroom (to no avial with Kellie) but one day it may sink in.

kimberley replied: haaaaaaa i haven't seen a clean house in years!! all toddlers are tornadoes imo it doesn't bother me anymore. people who comment can kiss my behind because i'd rather have a kid friendly, happy hope than an immaculate baby prison

fashionmumofboys replied: I do the same as you. At night just before going to bed I try to do as much as I can. Well the next night I'm just back to square one. It's so frustrating, and when does it get any better.........

HELP!!!

luvmykids replied: Ann told me about flylady.com and there's theorganizerlady.com

My house still looks like a wasteland but they both have great tips.

My grandma says "don't put it down, put it away" ha ha ha still working on that one.

If it makes you feel better, Phyllis Diller said "Trying to clean the house with kids is like trying to shovel the walk while it's still snowing." I have a plaque with that on it as a warning to visitors!

BAC'sMom replied: I have a responsibility chart for my older two children of daily chores ~ pick up your room, pick up your toys, use your manners etc. I have smiley face stickers that I add every night when I go over chart. If they earn a certain amount of stickers then they get to do special things ~ go to the park, go for ice cream, go to movies etc. I remind them in the evening to check their chart, to make sure chores are done. See that’s why I call it a responsibility chart, it's up to them. That also keeps me from having to be on their butts constantly. Pick this up… put that away. It just gets old! This seems to be working for them and me too.

Mom2Boyz replied: You described our house perfectly!!!! I don't even bother cleaning anymore during the day (except doing laundry, or the bathroom). I just wait til Conner is asleep. Everyone that comes over probably thinks I NEVER clean since no one ever sees it when it's clean.