written by Sue Austin
These are random thoughts I have had. I have gotten lots of ideas from women that had been older or my peers throughout the years. As well as watching and observing in homes that I have been in.
Don Aslett is a cleaning expert – he has written many books, has a website, www.cleanreport.com, or just to to Don Aslett on-line. His book – Is There Life After Housework is excellent. It has helpful hints how to clean different things, areas and simple items to use in our homes to do that.
One of the things I have done from early on is to make Sunday dinner a simple thing. For a number of years I made soup in the crock-pot on Saturday. Grilled cheese and tomato soup, PB&J, mac n cheese; a lot of other simple ideas are out there. Also, years ago Sunday breakfast was a hard time for me, so we started to have hard boiled eggs and toast. Dann and I still have this.
I have done cleaning the house different ways – one room or area every day. Or one day as a major cleaning day, that has been Friday for me.
I always had the children help pick up toys at the end of the day – made it a fun time – maybe making up a silly song. I also tried to have them put away the game/toy they were playing with BEFORE they got out a different one.
I always have done a quick pick up through the house before going to bed. Seems to make facing the mornings easier.
I always tried to remember that time spent with the children is more important than putting them off in order to finish my priority list. The quote, “they are only young once” is so true. But when you are in the thick of it, it is hard to remember that!!!
Know that the Mother, so much of the time, sets the tone of the house – sometimes I had to learn this the hard way, with thinking I had to get these “things” done and not take care of crabby kids. Dann would come home to a crabby wife and kids.
Making a weekly (or more) menu is sooooo helpful. I have made bigger recipes and divided them and frozen them. I also have gotten together with a friend and made meals for a month (or less) together. There are books that have recipes, use your favorites, or go on-line. This really helps with “what am I going to fix for dinner?”. It’s also helpful because a meal is then available to take to a person who needs some care.
From the time our kids were little, they started to do simple chores. Teaching them that when you live in a family, you are responsible to help with the house and the “keeping” of it.
Almost everyday we had special time with God with our children, which we spent together with them, or they spent it by themselves. Helping them to develop a habit. Making it a special, exciting time to learn. It doesn’t have to be a long time, but a meaningful time. In years past, Children Bible Hour had excellent resources – they still do. Focus on the Family, too. There are many options out there. Ask other families what they use. Start when they are very young.
REMINDER!
TODAY, THURSDAY, MARCH 1st @ 7PM is our MARCH MONTHLY MEETING
We will be learning How to be our Husband’s Cheerleader!!!
