Yippee!! My house is clean. And it has been quite clean for almost a week now. Like 5 days IN A ROW. Not to say that it is normally some sort of pigsty, but kids live here and so there are usually a few rooms that aren’t viewable to the general public where stuff gets shoved and I really, really don’t like it when people swing by unexpectedly cause you never know what state things might be in. So when I say it has been clean I mean no stuff cluttering up the rooms, no dishes in the sink, beds made, laundry put away. Clean.
I have tried Fly Lady so many times and failed. Too many emails, too many rules I couldn’t but into (no way am I wearing shoes all day and getting up early to shower everyday), and did I mention the emails? How am I supposed to clean when I have to check my email 325 times a day. I just kept falling off the wagon and my house was still a constant game of catch up. I just resigned myself that with kids in the house it was not possible to have anything resembling clean. Well it was clean I guess, but always cluttered and I was cranky.
I had the book Sidetracked Home Executives
So here is my new system. I have a weekly plan that involves a heavy cleaning day, a light cleaning day, an errand day, a planning day and 3 free days. Admittedly I haven’t hit a heavy cleaning day so that might be where this whole thing unravels. But the hubby and the kids have jumped on board so the whole thing is quite manageable. The card system entails listing out chores as daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly and then buying 1-31 dividers and filing them appropriately. Every day I do the chores for that day and then move them to the next appropriate day whether that be the next day, next week or next month. I do most everything in a half hour except for the heavy cleaning day. Because I don’t let things pile up, it takes very little time.
If you are a regular reader to my blog, you might recall that I already had done the decluttering as part of garage sale preparation and then before our vacation last week we cleaned the house very thoroughly from top to bottom. So we were starting from a good place. Then I just asked the children to start cleaning up after themselves better then they had been doing and after one day of lots of reminders they seem to be onboard. Several times I have noticed them picking up completely on their own. The hubby already helped out a fair amount around the house and he is an easy sell on anything that makes me less crazy.
It makes me feel so much better to be in a house that doesn’t drive me crazy and I feel like the kids are even playing better when they are forced to only play with a few things at one time instead of going through the house like a tornado. And I suddenly have free time. Real free time, not just free time that I am taking to avoid cleaning my house. And because things are mostly clean I don’t feel guilty about skipping cards here and there when I just don’t feel like doing it. I have chosen to make the system guilt free which is the best part of all.
I was nervous as heck posting this, because now I actually have to keep my house clean. The whole internet is one big accountability partner. But I mentioned on Twitter that I had a clean house and women were crawling out of the woodwork asking my secret. I am so happy to know I don’t struggle in this area all by myself. But now I am hooked on this cleaning thing, and although it could be the nesting, I hope that it doesn’t wear off. If it does, please call before you stop by.
For more great tips, head over to We Are That Family.
Thatgirlblogs
says:
On which days do you do each?
[Reply]
July 14th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Thatgirlblogs
says:
On which days do you do each?
[Reply]
July 14th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Thatgirlblogs
says:
On which days do you do each?
[Reply]
July 14th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Ann Kroeker
says:
Congratulations! It’s great when you find a system that “fits” your personality and the way your family functions.
Ann Kroeker´s last blog ..Kids, Creeks, and a Slow Afternoon
[Reply]
July 14th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Beth/Mom2TwoVikings
says:
Put it on my paperbackswap wish list. Thanks for the share.
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Candace
says:
I really need to get that book. Since I had three kids in three years I always felt justified for not being on top of things, but since my youngest is now 2 1/2 and things are much more managable I need to get some sort of system in place. You’ve inspired me!
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Sarah @ Ordinary Days
Twitter: OrdinarySarah
says:
I’m going to check on you daily..and I want pictures of your sparkly house as proof! Just kidding!
Good for you for finding a system that works for you. Mine is called “If I EVER Want To Sell This House It Has To Stay Kinda Clean”.
But if you fall off the wagon, no biggie! Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Sarah @ Ordinary Days´s last blog ..I Caved
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 8:22 am
thatmommy
says:
oh. the endless emails;)
thatmommy´s last blog ..Random Linky Bloghoppin Stuff. On A Tuesday.
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Heather @ Not a DIY Life
Twitter: notdiyheather
says:
Hmmmm…. I might have to check this book out at the library. I need to find some sort of system. Currently, I only clean when company is coming
Thanks for sharing!
Heather @ Not a DIY Life´s last blog ..Potty Training Sticker Chart
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Lana
says:
I don’t even have a kid yet, and I have trouble keeping it clean. :’( Maybe I need to check out your system
Lana´s last blog ..week 27 of pregnancy
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Amber Douma
says:
I too have been a flylady dropout several times. I’ll have to check out that book b/c it seems way more manageable to me.
Amber Douma´s last blog ..Muskegon Summer Celebration & A Mini Vacation
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 9:16 am
steadymom
says:
Yes, I like some of Flylady, but have never been a fan of all those emails! Your system sounds great – it’s nice to find something that works.
Jamie
steadymom´s last blog ..Rest for the Weary Mother – An Introduction
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Lisa
says:
I’ve heard of that book, I should read it! Thanks for the motivation!
Lisa´s last blog ..Try a BOOK List "Works for me Wednesday"
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 10:15 am
jubilee
says:
Tried flylady too and was a teeny bit successful. But you are right the emails are endless and I spent more time deleting the ones I didn’t care about reading than cleaning. I do like the 15 minutes at a time idea though.
I’d like to try your way though. Might be a better fit. Thanks for sharing.
jubilee´s last blog ..All Light and Joy
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Jenny
says:
I hate cleaning my house. Seriously. It’s a pain in the ass, especially when I know that as soon as everything is picked up, it’s going to magically end up where it was before I touched it.
Jenny´s last blog ..A Whole New Start
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Desiree
says:
Oh my gosh!! I thought I was the only one struggling with the Fly Lady system… I have heard of SHE, but I thought it was just the same as the Fly Lady. I’ve been trying to “fly” for so long now, I’m definitely gonna get that book. Thanks!!
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Megan
says:
Thanks!!! I am just like you – trying and trying to FLY, but not working. I just ordered the book from Amazon. Thanks – lets hope your success rubs off, cuz I need it!!!
Megan´s last blog ..Neglected
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 10:53 am
jean
says:
just put a hold on this book at the library. with me working and husband starting up full time school again in a few weeks, this system sounds like it’ll be a winner! Thanks!
jean´s last blog ..Reivew of God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible by Sheila Walsh
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Heather H
says:
I’m so inspired!
I ordered the book from the library!
Heather H´s last blog ..Announcing Summer Giveaways
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Sherry S.
says:
Thanks for this post! I feel the same way about Flylady! I need to get that book. I am currently in the process of the big decluttering because it has to happen before any system will be successful but I like this idea of the 31 days… thanks again!
Sherry S.´s last blog ..Giddy Up
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Maria D. @ Downright Domesticity
says:
I have now put this on hold at the library. Thanks for the recommendation! Anything to help with the housework!
Maria D. @ Downright Domesticity´s last blog ..Entertaining Angels Unaware
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Eos Mom
says:
Congratulations! Housework is a struggle for me too–I’m still looking for a system that works for me, but I’m soooo lazy
Eos Mom´s last blog ..Tackle It Tuesday–messy counter
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Mary @ Giving Up On Perfect
Twitter: givingupperfect
says:
I need to check out this book. Keeping my house clean and organized is a huge struggle for me, and it stresses me out. I’ve tried FlyLady a bit, and it just didn’t work. Thanks for the tips, Jill – I’d love to hear even more!
Mary @ Giving Up On Perfect´s last blog ..Walk On By.
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Staci @teaching money to kids
says:
did you know that you can change your flylady settings, to just get one email each day? Way easier.
If your kids are the rigth age, they might get into Chore Wars. We had a competition between a couple of friends, and it was so much fun.
Each month we tried to see who would get the most gold points (not the same as xp). We stopped for the summer, and I can really tell that I have slacked off. But it is meant as a reward system for families.
Staci @teaching money to kids´s last blog ..8. Go Ahead and Buy the Pass
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
mandi
says:
Sounds like you’re doing awesome! I need a system. I think I feel overwhelmed & then I just let it go out of control b/c I can’t stay on track. I’ll have to look into this … thanks for sharing!!
mandi´s last blog ..Ten things to disinfect
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Denise
Twitter: Fullnest
says:
I may just have to get that book….my house needs serious help! Congrats on getting yours under control before the new baby arrives!!
Denise´s last blog ..Wordless/Wordful Wednesday….Great Local Park!
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
niki
says:
Great for you for finding a system that works. Seems like I can never stick to one. Especially that FlyLady. She stresses me out..LOL.
niki´s last blog ..WFMW…Frugal or Free Pet Toys
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Cardamom
says:
I, too, started with Flylady, but didn’t get much further than cleaning my sink every night (although that WAS a feat!). I was greatly helped by Large Family Logistics http://largefamilylogistics.blogspot.com/ because her schedules and charts were based on a family with eight children – I have nine! Thanks for the book tip – I’ll have to check it out.
Cardamom´s last blog ..Pattern Block Girls
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Fruitfulvine2
says:
It’s good to have a system that works. Congrats!
Fruitfulvine2´s last blog ..Generous wife tip
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Donna
says:
I haven’t gotten much farther than the clean sink with FLYlady, but it’s a start. Her system is based on the Side Tracked Home Executives.
You sound like you’ve tweaked the system so it works for you. Maybe that’s where I’ve failed with it.
Donna´s last blog ..Free Signature Site
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
angie
says:
I need to develop a new system my house is changing so much I do not even know what to expect anymore
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Diane
says:
I am trying to find a system that works for me too. I have been working on thoroughly cleaning each room and then maintaining. I have broke it down into small tasks each day .
congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diane´s last blog ..Here is are my pics of my clean kitchen
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Erin G
says:
I am putting this book on my library list PRONTO. Still new at the home-executive thing, so I’m not sidetracked YET, but I will be if I don’t make some plan and start DOING it.
Erin G´s last blog ..All Around the Tarheel State
[Reply]
July 16th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Audrey
says:
How exciting that you found a system that works. I seem to always be behind on laundry and cleaning.
Post again and let us know how it’s working for you.
Audrey´s last blog ..Slow Cooking Thursday
[Reply]
July 16th, 2009 at 2:18 pm