Chores with LO

[songbirdsinging55]

I have some major housework that needs to get done. I have started scheduling chores. I am just curious, how do you ladies keep up with the housework these days? Any tips for staying on top of things. I feel like things have been so crazy since returning to work.

[HutterFlutter]

I rely heavily on DH. I go back to work Friday and for my maternity leave I have done almost all of the chores when he's home to watch LO. She's very needy and doesn't like to be left by herself for long and naps don't last long unless she's on me.

Once he walks in the door at 4, she gets handed to him, and I can tackle the chores. I also do a lot of them on weekends.

I'm scared thinking about how the house will look after I go back to work.

[zengal]

Wraps. They are the only way I get to eat too! When DD is so very tired but won't get to sleep, I wear her while I vacuum! And DH has started making the bed.

[clarkkentismyae]

Between DD and DS, I just wait until both are asleep and do what I can before turning in myself.

[songbirdsinging55]

zengal - I haven't tried them yet but he hates the front carrier. Even after walking around a bit. Do you use the moby?

[ninergirl52]

I find I do chores in small spurts. LO likes his RnP so I tend to slide him around room to room in it while I clean. I chat with him along the way. Tell him what I'm cleaning or whose laundry I'm folding. He seems mildly entertained by it.

[jessa1228]

Jan 22, 2015 1:31:05 GMT -5 ninergirl52 said:

I find I do chores in small spurts. LO likes his RnP so I tend to slide him around room to room in it while I clean. I chat with him along the way. Tell him what I'm cleaning or whose laundry I'm folding. He seems mildly entertained by it.

Pretty much this. I also rely heavily on H as well. He's been really good about picking up my slack.

[briannea]

I tidy in small increments during the day and I do a load of laundry everyday. We have house cleaners come once a month for the heavy stuff

[spikesmom]

I wear lo in my k'tan to do things like laundry or load the dishwasher and vaccum but for the most part my DH has taken over most of the housework since Max was born (he also cooks and does 90% of the grocery shopping) I definitely got lucky with him! Its been really nice to just focus on lo and recovering from my c-section which was pretty difficult as Max was stuck sideways and they had to cut much wider (according to my doctor) than normal to get him out (not fun!). I have no idea what I willl do when I go back to work in a week and a half.

[MsNicole06]

My LO loves her swing so I put her in it or the bouncer. We fold laundry with her in the bouncer, she holds socks until I find their mate.

[zengal]

songbirdsinging55 I have a k'tan, moby, and sling. (Also an ergo for outside walks.) I use different ones depending on how long I anticipate LO being in it or what I'm going to be doing. I'd say I use the k'tan the most. I got the active kind so it doesn't stretch like the original.

[pixie523]

zengal which ergo and do you like it? We've got a sling and moby, and use the sling for trips out now but my H would like something more structured. He also really wants something she can sit in facing out (even though I've given him the spiel about hips and blah blah) so I'm looking at the ergo 360 but am unsure still.

[pixie523]

I'm still on leave but I'll do a little here and a little there. I usually will wear LO for general pick up but if I'm cleaning the kitchen or bath I'll put her in a baby container and talk her through each step. She'll lose her shit by the end since she has a 10 minute container limit but it at least let's me keep things tidy.

[zengal]

pixie523 I'm not sure which one it is; it's a hand-me-down from my BFF so it's a couple years old. I find it much more difficult to get on, with the clasps behind my back, but the padded straps are nice if you're going to be hoofing it for any amount of time. I'd probably rank it my least favorite wrap because of struggling to put it on and then all the strap ends dangling once it's on, but LO doesn't seem to have a preference of carrier. YH might be like mine and doesn't want to wear a girly wrap-

[lissydee]

small spurts too. wear the baby while doing some chores. get as much done while they're sleeping.

I set up the older two with an activity or snack while I get some cleaning done.

[wildflower810]

Small spurts for sure. M will hang out in his bouncy seat in the kitchen for a while or lay on the bed while I'm folding laundry. I talk to him constantly, too. The K'tan is a life saver for when he's tired!

[gibrown]

I have so so much trouble getting things done too, and I'm not working. My LO is never content for long. I keep hoping it'll get easier, but I'm sure once they are mobile there's even less time...

[jessa1228]

Jan 22, 2015 6:51:38 GMT -5 zengal said:

songbirdsinging55 I have a k'tan, moby, and sling. (Also an ergo for outside walks.) I use different ones depending on how long I anticipate LO being in it or what I'm going to be doing. I'd say I use the k'tan the most. I got the active kind so it doesn't stretch like the original.

I just got a k'tan from a friend last week and I love it! I can't believe I went this long without one.

[mander82]

Last weekend LO was actually calm and collect in his boppy pillow on the bed while I folded laundry and put it away.
I got the bathroom cleaned while he took a nap in his swing. It is hard to get things done....it took me 3 evenings to get around to cooking one dinner.
DH has been doing most of the laundry. He even cleaned up cat puke on Monday for me and he NEVER does that!!

I tried wearing him, but I don't have a wrap, just an infant carrier like wearing contraption and it doesn't really support his head well, so that didn't work very well.
I am hoping to have a period of time when its easier before he starts crawling and putting everything in his mouth.
I should know better though.....

[kathetravis]

My house is a mess. I wish my H would clean during the day while I am at work and LO is at daycare ( he works nights) but nope

[jfh]

I know this isn't feasible for everyone, but I farm out as much as I can. We got house cleaners after T was born and I plan to keep them as long as I possibly can. I get Plated twice a week to make cooking easier. I've lowered my standards in many arenas (sheets basically don't get dirty, right??). I don't get much done when I'm taking care of T - I wear him but I still don't feel fully functional. So when DH is around he either does chores, or I pawn both kids off on him so I can get things done.

[gldnbearz]

jfh Is Plated one of the services that prepare and you cook?

[jfh]

Jan 22, 2015 14:52:43 GMT -5 gldnbearz said:

jfh Is Plated one of the services that prepare and you cook?

Yes! I love it. It's expensive but my food bills actually haven't gone up. I think that's because Plated provides some variety, so I feel ok about making simple meals the rest of the week (beans & rice, pasta, etc.) I hate when I plan to make something with - for example - fresh parsley, and I use a tablespoon, and the rest sits in my fridge until it's gross and I have to throw it out. I'm sure many people are more efficient with their cooking than I am. But for me, I love the efficiency of Plated and I end up wasting less food/money.

[krgriffin26]

I can usually get things done when Kenna is napping or entertaining herself because she woke up from her nap and didn't tell me lol. She is a really good, quiet baby. I also get a lot done with her in a carrier or at night after she goes to bed. I only cook when Dh is home anyways so he watches her when I cook.

[ladybird]

Jan 22, 2015 7:22:15 GMT -5 pixie523 said:

zengal which ergo and do you like it? We've got a sling and moby, and use the sling for trips out now but my H would like something more structured. He also really wants something she can sit in facing out (even though I've given him the spiel about hips and blah blah) so I'm looking at the ergo 360 but am unsure still.

The 360 is great. H loves it and I've found it to be better for longer days than my SollyBaby wrap (which I also love). Supposedly, ergo has addressed the forward facing hip positioning with the 360. We haven't tried it yet since that positioning is for older babies. We'll see.

[kfo22]

I packed three boxes and made dinner today, thanks to the ktan! Woooo!!

[wildblue]

Jan 22, 2015 0:12:38 GMT -5 zengal said:

Wraps. They are the only way I get to eat too! When DD is so very tired but won't get to sleep, I wear her while I vacuum! And DH has started making the bed.

I use a wrap too! I have a Boba right now but am looking into a ring sling or carrier soon. This also gives me some hands free time to get chores done.

[spiraltheory]

I'm starting to be able to do more. Myles is 8 weeks, and for the first 5-6 weeks, my H did almost everything. I just couldn't figure out how to multitask. Plus I just wanted to stare at him all day!
I've started doing things in ten minute increments while LO is in his swing or on the floor looking at toys. The ten min thing is a big adjustment for me because I don't like to stop in the middle of a job.

Also, a woman comes in once or twice a month to do floors and other stuff we can't get to.

[kaimee27]

My house is definitely messier than it used to be. Like a lot of PP have said, I just fit in cleaning when I can, and ask DH to pitch in. He actually did babywear the other day while we were both trying to clean up a bit.

[gldnbearz]

I was always taught to run the dishwasher or washing machine with a full load to save energy and water. Doesn't happen if I want clean dishes/bottles or bibs and onesies these days.