Household Chores & a Toddler

**Sundae** · 16-04-2012 08:22

How do you get your household chores done?
I live in a 2 story town house. I find it hard to get the cleaning done while DD is awake and with me. You know the old as you clean, they destroy lol
I'd like to get the cleaning done while she's awake so I can have a snooze while she has one. (selfish I know but these early wake ups are killing me!!!)
Any tips??

**Sundae** · 16-04-2012 08:26

By the way it's mainly upstairs I have trouble getting done 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms. Downstairs and washing I do as we go.

**waterlily** · 16-04-2012 08:27

I do a quick tidy and the dishes first thing in the morning when DD is having brekky and watching tv.

Then just tidy through the day. I do have a cleaner that comes every week and does all my floors, bathrooms, washing and strips the beds. So I'm pretty lucky that I don't need to worry with those things.

I also make Dd clean up her own mess. Like putting plates and cups in the kitchen and packing up toys when finished playing ect, which helps HEAPS!

**Nemmi** · 16-04-2012 08:40

I dont,
My house is a nightmare and I have an inspection in 10 days

I try but Ds is like a cyclone,
While I tidy one room he destroys another :/
I'm trying to implemented a quiet time as he does not nap anymore but i've found quiet time for Ds = flake on the couch with coffee for mum lol
Sent from my MB526 using BubHub

**Thunderstorm** · 16-04-2012 08:40

When you are cleaning upstairs give your DD a little spray bottle of water and a sponge and she can 'help' with the cleaning.
Maybe buy a mini broom or pretend vacuum for her aswell.

Or set up an activity upstairs for her in her room while you clean upstairs.
What about a story book and tape that she can listen too?

**GothChick** · 16-04-2012 08:41

I used to do it when she went down for a nap, then take her out when she woke up so it stayed tidy. Or i'd get her to 'help' me.

**Sundae** · 16-04-2012 08:44

They are great ideas thunder storm! I will def give it a try. She normally likes to pull things out of her drawers lol and climb in the cupboards! I think I'm finding it a bit hard as she has been super clingy lately.

**Sundae** · 16-04-2012 08:46

Originally Posted by GothChick

I used to do it when she went down for a nap, then take her out when she woke up so it stayed tidy. Or i'd get her to 'help' me.

This is what I do most of the time. Maybe I'm over thinking it all and there is no easier way with a Toddler lol

**nerdgirl99** · 16-04-2012 09:02

I definitely agree with getting them to 'help'. When doing the dishes, DD stands at the sink on a chair next to me and 'rinses' the dishes for me (water on very low). When we vacuum, I let her have a turn while I quickly tidy up her toys (or move them out of the way), when putting on the washing I tell DD which buttons to press. Bathrooms are a bit more difficult - I just try to do them while I have a shower. When I make beds it turns into a game where I make it with her in it. It all takes a bit of extra time but she doesn't winge and want to be picked up and it involves her. Plus she is distracted so she makes less mess... At least while I clean!

**Bennos Mummy** · 16-04-2012 09:52

DS is 21 months and was doing the vacuuming for me on the weekend

He does have a pretend one that he follows me around with usually. I also get him to 'help' and he thinks its fun. Even laundry, i'll take clothes out of the washing machine and he'll put them in the basket, or he'll hand them to me to hang up.

The bathroom i do after DS is asleep at night quickly. The shower i usually spray after everyone is asleep and quickly rinse and scrub the next morning