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How we got a cleaner house (and a happier life) by making one simple change...
Now that I'm back to work full-time, we've really been struggling with keeping the house clean. By the time we get home and play with the girls, make dinner, and put them to bed, we're exhausted. The last thing we want to do is clean pots and pans! Well I'm excited to say that we made one simple change and things have been SO much better...
One night I was out with one of my girlfriends and we were chatting about our kids, husbands, life in general, and she gave me an amazing piece of advice: "If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got."
I've heard the phrase before, but this time it really got me thinking. Normally we each put one of the girls to bed. One night I would put Lucy to bed and Kevin will take care of getting Violet off to sleep, and the next night we would switch. I suggested to Kev that we try something different. One of use would put both of the girls to bed, while the other would stay down and clean up dinner, pack the girls lunches, and all of those other little things that we would usually run out of time (and energy!) for. Well, we've done it for a few nights now, and I'm excited to say that - it's working!
It doesn't take any longer to get the girls to sleep, the house gets clean, and Kev and I still have a little time to hang out together - just the two of us. So what do you think - were we crazy not to have thought of this months ago??? What is your bedtime routine like?
Congrats to you for having a partner who is willing to do equal work...or at least, just work....at the end of the day! Ha. My husband sits on the couch and watches TV while I do all of the work. I'm a stay-at-home-mom so I pretty much am just expected to continue that job even when he gets home. I've commented plenty about wanting/needing help at the end of the day, but I fall silent on deaf ears (or whatever that saying is). I cook a full meal, feed and put the 10 month old to bed, get the almost 4 year old ready for bed, read her a bedtime story and put her to bed, then I have all of dinner to clean up, the table to clear, dishes to do, toys to pick up....list goes on. Doesn't always get done which is awesome to wake up to the next morning, but I'm tired. Just know that you're very lucky to have help. I think your new plan sounds awesome, great way to utilize teamwork! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I feel very lucky that way! You are superwoman. I so couldn't do it all on my own. When I was home all day with the kids, I was completely exhausted by the time Kev got home. I hope things get easier for you!
DeleteYes! We have been doing this for some time and it makes all the difference! I usually go up for story time and help put them to bed after but before that I have enough time to quickly clean up. I love coming down to a cleaner kitchen! So great.
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