Summer and Housework: What A Combination!
Ranked #10,688 in Home & Garden, #170,462 overall
Enjoying Summer and Keeping the House Clean
Whether I live alone or with a family, it is possible to spend quality time with friends or family during week-ends, providing everyone is as organized as I am. However, even if they are not, it is still possible to relax more during week-ends but it will definitely involve me, as a parent, implementing a rule whereby, when my children mess things up, they are the ones to clean it up. After all, the beaches, barbecues, amusement parks and nature parks await and no one wants to spend the summer inside all the time.
However, keep in mind that there is still lots of fun to be experienced even during the cold winter months so, when I've developed a great summer routine, I should let it continue throughout the winter. Even when I don't want to go outside, I can curl up with a book, put a jigsaw puzzle together or relax for a hour or two in front of the computer. It doesn't matter what I do; the point is that I'll have time to do more of the things I would like to do while enjoying a clean house.
Photo credit: Mashco.
Contents at a Glance
Need a little break from housework? Take one - but not too long.
Help With Housework
Even from my little ones
It's always wonderful to have a helping hand.Teamwork is as essential at home as it is in the workplace; everyone pulling together, working towards a common goal, results in tasks being performed more efficiently, usually, at a faster pace.
In the end, everyone feels good about a job well done and the rewards which follow.
Procrastination is taboo!
In the workplace, one doesn't wait until the day of the deadline to begin working on a project/assignment. Instead, the work will merely need to be reviewed before submitting
it to the employer.
The same is true for working at home. If I plan to go out Saturday evening, I don't wait until Saturday afternoon to do housework. At that point, I need to be able to relax for a while before heading out. Otherwise, I won't enjoy my evening
because I'll be too tired.
“So...what can YOU do during the week so you can enjoy your week-ends?”
Tidying
If you don't have this habit, get into it.
When you move something, put it back where it belongs instead of setting it down wherever is convenient. This saves a lot of time and your house looks organized even when cleaning needs to be done. Why? Because there is little to no tidying required.It's an on-going daily process by everyone in the home.
Photo credit: Big Goofy Dog.
Changing Bed Sheets
Don't pick the week-end to change bed sheets. Select another day, or night, of the week to get this task done.You may feel tired but it will save you between thirty minutes to an hour during the week-end and you'll feel glad that the task has already been completed when Saturday morning arrives.
In addition, the sheets would have already been washed instead of being gathered into an overwhelming pile.
Photo credit: Bedzine.
Dusting Furniture
Depending upon the types of furniture in your house, some of it will get dusty sooner than others. Often, darker furniture will appear dusty the same day you've dusted it while lighter shades will rarely appear dusty.Regardless, you can select Saturday mornings to dust your furniture unless you'd like to pick an evening during the week. If at all possible, of course, it's wise to dust every couple of days but, since it isn't always possible, it definitely should be performed once a week.
Photo credit: Natural Home Remedies.
You need to make time to spend with family and friends outside; a hour or two makes a world of difference!
Washrooms
Keeping washrooms clean on a daily basis only takes a few minutes and takes a load off your mind when wondering if unexpected company may arrive at your door.In addition, if an emergency was to arise and you had to take one of your children to the hospital - and had to call a sitter to watch the other children - your mind could rest knowing you didn't need to fuss with the washroom.
After all, no one minds a few glasses on the kitchen counter but a dirty washroom makes people cringe.
Photo credit: Just Bathroom Signs.
Floors
Sweeping your floor every day is a good practice. It keeps dirt from traveling throughout your house at the rate it would if you swept your floor once a week.Wiping up spills immediately is a good safety practice which also prevents family members and guests from walking on sticky floors, but you should mop them at least once a week.
It shouldn't take long unless you have special types of flooring which needs to be cleaned in a special manner. Even then, you can work around it so you still have time to enjoy most of the week-end.
Vacuuming rugs and carpets can be done whenever it looks like it needs to be done, whether on a daily or weekly basis, and it takes a minimal amount of time to get the task completed. You do want to get them shampooed, periodically, though because dirt does get trapped.
Photo credit: Southern Accents.
Bedrooms
Let's recap:Tidying is done on a regular basis. Check mark.
Dusting is done once a week. Check mark.
Bed sheets are changed during the week. Check mark.
Floors are already clean and vacuumed. Check mark.
So, what's left to do in the bedroom on Saturday morning? Nothing except the obvious task of being sure your bed is made, your windows and mirrors are clean, and any stray items from the night before have been put in their proper place.
You can't get much better than that!
Photo credit: Eco Friendly Goodies.
This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.
If you're always doing housework, you'll miss moments like these...
Meal preparation
Freeze left over meals throughout the week and eat them during dinner time on week-ends.
Another alternative, if you plan to go out, is to place all your ingredients into a slow cooker so that when you arrive home, your meal is already prepared.
Conversely, if you plan to entertain guests during the week-end, since you have a lot of time on your hands - with most of your housework having been done throughout the week - read a book, watch a movie, play a board game, or whatever else you feel like doing while waiting for food to cook and your guests to arrive.
Laundry
Do yourself a huge favor: don't wait for a certain day to do laundry. Keep up with it throughout the week.You can be organized further by either sorting laundry into piles on a basement floor or sorting it in color coded laundry hampers. For example, in my house, light colors and whites go into the white hamper while darker colors go into the blue hamper.
It saves time sorting laundry and, when one hamper begins to get full, we wash that load of clothes.
Most times, only one load a day needs to be washed and we don't fall behind.
Photo credit: Sure Baby
Grocery Shopping
Best performed on a day off. However, a list can be made throughout the week with items being added as you run out of a product, or as you think of something you need. This saves much time at the grocery store when trying to decide, or remember, what to buy.
In addition, by strictly following your list - unless you remember something you had forgotten to write down - it will save you time at the store, save time bringing your groceries to the car, save time bringing your groceries into your house, and save time putting them away.
How much time do you think you would save? More than you realize!
Dealing With Mail
You can't let yourself become too busy to embrace moments like these.
Best Ways For Children to Help Parents
There are many ways children can help their parents get ahead around the house, regardless of their ages.
Raking grass, shoveling snow, and taking out the trash
Teens should have no trouble raking/mowing grass or shoveling snow. Furthermore, they can have the responsibility of taking out the trash. You can even add an incentive by paying your teen for making sure the garden is tended to, the driveway remains shoveled and the trash isn't piling up. The money stays in the house and the work still gets done without adding further items to your ever-present task list.1 point
Washing the car
Small children love to play with water so why not get them involved in washing the car and spraying it with the hose? As long as they are wearing swim wear, they will have a blast.0 points
Watering the garden
Children love running through the sprinkler. It's a wise choice to ask your children to move the sprinkler to various parts of the garden as they continue with their fun.0 points
BBQ season
Does your teen love to BBQ as opposed to cooking inside? Take advantage of it! It will free your hands to do other things and you'll still have the benefit of eating a great meal.0 points
Walking the dog
As long as your dog isn't too powerful for your children to take for a walk, let them have the pleasure of performing this task. They'll also get some exercise in the process.0 points
Picnic Time
Does your children love to create the menu for picnics? If so, give them the privilege. Allow them to make sandwiches, mix juice, and pick out which fruit and/or cookies you will take.0 points
Baking
Does your child/teen love to bake? As long as directions can be followed and the oven can be handled safely, take a break from the kitchen while enjoying a beautiful aroma and a wonderful treat later.0 points
Wiping spills
Most children love dealing with the Swifter so, many times when there's a spill, children will voluntarily run to get the Swifter.0 points
Cleaning walls
Remember your children who love to use the Swifter? Allow them to use it to clean your walls. They'll be able to reach much higher and it will be much safer than standing on stools or chairs.0 points
Vacuuming
Does your child or teen love to vacuum? Hooray for you - you get another break!0 points
Dusting
Does your child/teen find the process of dusting fascinating - there's dust one second, then none at all? Take advantage of it! There are many gadgets and cloths available to help rid your house of dust - all temporarily of course. We just can't keep up with the beast!0 points
Looking after smaller children in the household.
Sometimes parents need another pair of helping hands to help look after younger children in the home. It allows them to get the extra time they need to complete a task in peace.0 points
A few points worthy of parents' consideration:
* Housework and family commitments can't be ignored
* Housework will always be there; if you manage your time, actions, and words wisely, your family will, too
* Even when your family can survive the strongest tests of time, your children will still eventually move away, so enjoy them while you can!
Organizing Housework Guestbook
Please feel free to leave your ideas or comments below.
-
Reply
-
RhondaSplint
Feb 10, 2012 @ 9:21 am | delete
- Great lens. Note taking! I don't mind taking a break of house chores to relax with the family. Well written.
Editor@ fertility calendar
-
-
Reply
-
RhondaSplint
Feb 10, 2012 @ 9:21 am | delete
- Great lens. Note taking! I don't mind taking a break of house chores to relax with the family. Well written.
Editor@ fertility calendar
-
-
Reply
-
theraggededge
Nov 17, 2009 @ 1:02 pm | delete
- I hate chores too!
Lensrolling to I Hate Housework :-)
-
-
Reply
-
Kelsey-Budden-16
Nov 24, 2008 @ 7:40 pm | delete
- I HATE CHORES!!!
-
by Norma_Budden
I am the only parent living in the house with my children; in time, I will have an adult pair of helping hands but, for the moment, that day seems too... more »
- 198 featured lenses
- Winner of 19 trophies!
- Top lens » The Importance and Benefits of Dancing
Explore related pages
- Housework - How to Make it Fast and Keep it Fun Housework - How to Make it Fast and Keep it Fun
- When I Need to Say, "I Miss You." When I Need to Say, "I Miss You."
- Is Heaven Real? Is Heaven Real?
- Friendship Quotes at Zazzle Friendship Quotes at Zazzle
- What Defines a Heart of Love? What Defines a Heart of Love?
- "What It Is" by Sarah Burleton - Child Abuse Survivor "What It Is" by Sarah Burleton - Child Abuse Survivor
Take 5
Hosted by Norma Budden
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by
Whispers of the Soul
Hosted by Norma Budden
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by