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JaysFamily
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Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Oct 18 2010 at 11:40am | IP Logged
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How do you fit in fall organizing and cleaning in when life is already chaotic? Fall cleaning is an urgent of ours at this time, as disorganization is interfering with our ability to follow through with family plans. We need to get some Fall cleaning out of the way in order to focus on major home repairs, aka ripping out some floors and subfloors, a wall, etc. My son is only in preschool, which has been put on hold for now. We're mainly focusing on talking about letter sounds, and singing songs throughout the day, reading at bedtime, and spending time outdoors right now instead of working on any crafts or other formal work. We've had some major family emergencies recently, on both sides of our families, so we've not only lost most of our support network, but we have become the support network for others. It just seems that as soon as we find a decent day to start work on the house, something comes up that has to be done, or we feel called to assist someone else. A big problem is that we're mentally exhausted right now, and that seems to be an even greater hindrance that wears us down by the evening and weekends, making us less effective at getting things done. Right now, we don't know what else to do but to pray about it, but I would like some practical advice from those that have weathered chaotic times like these, and were still able to focus inward on your own immediate family and home at the same time.
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In Christ,
Jaysfamily
wife to Jay
mother to DS(5)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 18 2010 at 12:46pm | IP Logged
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sometimes it's better to plan a rest time.. there are times when being able to rest and reconnect will mean that the work goes smoother afterward.
Then I would make a list of things you need to get done. Like the major repairs..
And then with each item make of list of what needs to be done minimally to be able to do it.
And then organize them into either priorities or easiest first.
That way you can spend your time doing things for the first item to get done without doing things every which direction (like washing all the walls in the house before painting a single wall in a single room.. get the one wall washed so it can be painted)
It will just help focus the time you do have. And remember that it doesn't have to be whole days.. you could have a lazy morning to rest and reconnect and then after lunch work on a job.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Oct 18 2010 at 2:21pm | IP Logged
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My husband and I set aside days on the calendar when ALL DAY on some Saturdays are to be dedicated to work and projects. We say no to everything else, unless it REALLY-TRULY an emergency, and we do NOT feel guilty about this. Maintaining our home and keeping some sort of organized chaos is absolutely essential if we are to feel comfortable in our home and me to be able to be here ALL day with the kids.
And, when I'm pregnant or sick.....dh is the worker, with me prepping, organizing and getting things set up so that his muscles and energy are not wasted on stupid things.
Your son is the perfect age to alternate "shadowing" one of you, then switching. Or alternate "shadow" and then backpack time with dad.....with dad doing projects where he doesn't have to do a lot of bending and "dangerous" work. Make a list of "backpack" jobs and save them for that time only.
For us, Friday night is a review of the next day's plan, any quick prep that needs to be done, then a date night with a movie and dinner....making sure we get to bed early, so we can be UP early and GET MOVING!
And, Saturday, is a work day all day with a quick lunch, and quick dinner.....working until we are exhausted!
We used to have energy to dedicate a few hours in the evenings after kids went to bed. We would work from about 7-10 pm....which was 3 hours of very productive time. Early dinner, kids to bed early....then 3 hours. We are too old to do that anymore. 
I also keep a running list of "less than 45 minute projects" so that if we do get a random time when dh feels like doing a quick project on a weekday evening with kids tagging along, he looks at the list, picks something and he's OFF! Again, these are simple, easy things.
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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Leocea
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| Posted: Oct 18 2010 at 10:12pm | IP Logged
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I am doing this now, so I understand! My house is SO full of stuff! Where does it come from?!?
For a three year old, just reading together for a while each day is really enough. It is the best *school* there is and the one they usually like the most anyway.
A daily walk outside together is nice at this age too. Then a quiet or rest time in the afternoon, and you could get a little fall cleaning in there too.
I would try to include him as much as possible. Maybe give him a rag to wipe walls when you are, a small broom/rake, etc.
My son always liked to be nearby, with his bucket of play cars or action figures, and he would play for hours while I did things. He was so good! He is 17 now, and still sweet!
Now, my girls are more challenging. They require a lot more stopping and starting and it takes a LONG time to get things done.
I'll be interested in the replies to this thread. Good luck and Happy Fall!!!
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Your sister in Christ,
Leocea, wife to Ken, mom to KC 22, Caitlin 17, Malea 13, Mary Catherine 10,Elina Rose,6,Andrew,3 and Lauren Celine,1. Angels 5/05, 5/08, 2/11 and Cameron 7/26/11.
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4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Fall cleaning
