Do you get tired of cleaning everyday?

@dian21 (606)
Philippines
August 3, 2010 11:14pm CST
I have a one and a half-year-old baby and she is walking already. Everyday I have to clean the house and organize things, and also her toys. Sometimes I feel tired already of this everyday routine, cleaning, following all my baby's cluttered toys, our room is always messy because of her milk and food, and she is fond of tearing papers always that's why I always have to clean immediately becaue she might eat those. I can not even relax when she's asleep because that's the time I can clean the house and do my own stuffs. But of course, I enjoy being with my baby. But I just get tired sometimes of this routine. Do other mothers feel and experience the same way too?
2 people like this
28 responses
• Philippines
5 Aug 10
Yes I also get tired cleaning the house especially our room, since I also have a baby, I need to make sure that his surroundings were clean enough. It's really very hard and stressful.
1 person likes this
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
7 Aug 10
hi rhea. Eventhough it is really tiring and stressful, we still have to find time to relax so that we can enjoy more time with our baby and make it more precious while they are still little ones. I just realized that it is still more important to have more quality time with my baby than to be stressed out cleaning the house always.
@pastigger (612)
• United States
4 Aug 10
I have a 3 year old. But I remember when she was younger very well. The paper ripping stage boy it is fun, but it makes them so happy. I would give her a magizine or newspaper add for her to rip up. If it was a book of mine or something she couldn't have she was told NO and it was put up where she couldn't reach it. If you give her everything she wants now there will be problems later. She is 1 and a half that is big enought to start with helping putting her toys away. I had toys that would stay in the livingroom for her to play with but I had little bins that they could go in. For a while I used just an old laundry basket, then we moved on to a rack that had three spots and was on wheels. Now we are down to almost no toys in the living room just a few things. The things that are in the living room she knows that she has to share with the other kids, I have a home daycare so I can still earn and income. Don't worry about putting the toys away perfectly everytime, just find a spot that she can help put them when she is done. As for the paper let her do it for a while and then clean it up. You will never find a harder job them being a mother. I think most mothers are overwhelmed I know I am alot. I used to also let her sit in her highchair while I did the dishes after lunch and swept up the mess that she made. There are board books for kids and also ones that are made out of cloth that they can not tear. I would get her some of these. Also teach her that some things are ok to tear and some are not. This is just a stage and soon she will be out of it hopefully. Also you could try and give her some crayons just make sure she dosen't eat them and if she does well they pass pretty good anyway. Start cleaning more when she is awake let her see what you have to do, she may find it very interesting. I clean the best that I can but I have a hard time getting to deep cleaning stuff any more. But I sweep the floor and mop at least once a day I have a little carpet sweeper that you just push for touch ups inbetween vaccuuming. You have to find short cuts that will work for you. It will get easier as she gets older. My daughter is just now getting to eat somewhere other than the dinning room table and if it is messy she is in there. I give her a sippy cup to drink out of during the day and a real cup at the table only. Good luck.
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
7 Aug 10
thanks for the response pastigger and also for some tips. I have learned my lesson already, I don't give my books now, I just give some magazines or papers which she can tear. Whenever I do some household chores I always put her on her chair so that even if I am doing something I can still watch her. I also seep the floor always during the day and mop it just once a day. At her age, I try to explain already what she should do with her clutter although she cannot understand yet what I was really saying, at least she can see what I do with her clutter and where I place her toys. I know soon, she can already put her toys in proper place. thanks.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
4 Aug 10
Hi, dian21. I know what you mean! I am a mom of three. I have two girls and one boy. Ages, 8, 4 and 3 years old. My house gets messy too. My youngest daughter will sometimes eat mashed potatoes and she would smear it all over her arms and legs. The other day, my four year old daughter poured, onion powder onto her hair. I just washed it last week really good for her. And, she sprinkled some into her brother's hair too. I have a lot to do since all of them are at home with me. My apartment can get really messy at times too. My three year old daughter loves tearing up paper of any kind. She will have it all over my floor. She won't put it into her mouth though. My oldest kids fight all of the time. All day long. They don't want to go to bed at night either. They want to stay awake up until 2 am if they could. But we make them go to sleep early anyway. You are not alone in this. I have an older and a younger child, and I find that my day is exhausting and busier as ever. Everyday, I always have something to do. These kids keep me busy. I can never say that I am bored. Things will get better, just take one day at a time. That is what I had to do with all of my kids. I get so tired of mopping all of our floors. We don't have any carpet in our apartment. I try to do as much as I can, when it is on my mind. I have tamed myself on procrastinating too. I don't do this anymore. If I don't do what needs to be done, then I will have so much of chores that are piled onto me very high. Things will work out for you as well. Take care. You are not alone in this.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
5 Aug 10
Never ever think that you are alone! You are not! I am one mom that can be honest enough to tell you that my road has not been easy either. Many people always tell me that I am doing a great job. But they don't know how much I have to endure as I raise all of my kids. They all have different needs that have to be met differently. So, it can be a big job. It does not matter how many kids that you have, having only one child can be a big load that you have to take upon. Just being a parent alone can be a big job. But believe me, you will get some breaks! Stay strong!
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
I admire you for taking care of all the things for your three kids. I only have one yet I am already complaining. Cleaning up the house everyday is already tiring, and it is even more tiring when the baby cries and I can't understand why she cries. That's what I am thinking when I have more than one baby already, for sure I won't have time for myself already. When I had no baby yet, I do a lot of procastination, but when I had a baby already, I learned to manage my time well and work fast while the baby is asleep. I thought that I am just full of complains, but now I realize that I am not alone. Thank you for the response.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
4 Aug 10
Yes!! I have an 11 month old son as well as babysitting my 2 year old cousin. I have to vacuum the carpet several times a day in their main play areas. We have lots of foot traffic through our house and the floors get terrible. My 11 month old will pick up anything and put it in his mouth. I have to be very careful with him. The toys get messy as well. I am trying to teach the 11 month old to help pick them up and the 2 year old does very well with this already. It is almost an all day job. I love it though. Special times are when grandma takes my son for the weekend! Nice and relaxing weekends!
@momof3kids (1894)
• Singapore
4 Aug 10
Ahh you have written about my present life!! My baby is 15 months and she is exactly like yours. At night i get so upset when she dirties things because i will have to clean up. And usually at that time, my body will be just drooping to go to sleep. If the other members in your family do not mind, maybe you can leave things messy once in a while. I do understand that when you get truly fed up, you may just 'burst'. Just remember that this is temporary, when she is older it will get easier to get things tidied up. These days my husband tries to help out and I do not cook often. But even with that the house cannot be thoroughly clean because when we eat out, that will mean nobody is tidying up the house...lol!!
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
4 Aug 10
Hi Dian, Sometimes, I will get my husband to help me up in some housechores,especially during weekend,he is not working. I need to have a break too after been doing the work for 7days in a week. I am glad to have a lovely husband who is willing to give me a hand. Especially when I fall sick, My husband will do the rest for me. I also don't like my house to be in mess,i just can't stand it. I like the floor to be clean,no insects are crawling here and there and especially the bedroom has to be clean and tidy.
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
I just hope that my husband is always here with us to help me with the household chores, but it is impossible because of the type of his job. But even if me and the baby are only here, I just can't leave the mess and wait until some time because cockroaches or ants might attack because of her milk and foods. Sometimes I get pissed off also when the house is so dirty and she is crying so much, even at night when we are sleeping already, she would also cry. Oh, I can't wait for her to grow a bit, when she can understand and follow my instructions already.
• Singapore
4 Aug 10
hehehh I remember when I was a small girl, my mom used to say, 'hai when are you going to grow up?' now its my turn.
• Malta
4 Aug 10
Of course other mothers feel like you. We're all human after all! But remember that your little baby will soon grow up and the mess she's making at her age will not be for long. As she grows, she'll want other things to play with, but you can teach her to put away her stuff once she's ready from them. Please try to enjoy being with your baby even though the room is messy, because there are so many mothers who would like to spend the time with their kids but can't because they have to go to work. This is a time which you will treasure in the future, spending your time with your baby.
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
7 Aug 10
that is true. I was a working mom before then I decided to resign from my job because the nanny left without notice, and also to spend more time with my baby. I appreciate having more time with my baby now. It's just that I wasn't able to realize during the time when I was working that cleaning the house every now and then, everyday, will be difficult. But at least, I still enjoy being with my baby always now. That happiness is my reward or salary for being tired the whole day. thank you!
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
6 Aug 10
dian hi well thats just about what is expected when you have a baby is it not? I imagine all moms do feel that way at timea. So my suggestion to you is going to make some throw up their hands, put your sweetie into her pram, grab your purse, and keys. Lock the doors on the mess, and step outside into the fresh air and sunshine and take your littleone on a twenty or thirty minute walk. Just rember this one thing a few years from now you will be saying oh y she is growing up too fast,whatever happened to my sweet little baby? then relax, just take one thing at a time, and relax, breathe deep.Remember you must take some time out each day for you so you will not be stressed out and snap at that sweetie pie of yours.And also remember you really do not have to be so extremely clean one can eat off your floor. Take time to just enjoy your little one. That house is an inanimate object. If you do not get something done perfectly is there an clean your house police? no of course not.So if you are really exhausted sit down, rest relax whatever you did not get done is not going to run off. read the paper or a chapter in a book. now you are relaxed. tackle one chore then another, and do this in a happy attitude relaxed and happy.You are not supposed to be a house cleaning robot but a young mom.So one thing does not get done, who is going to cry about it? Nobody is going to expect you to have a layout for House Beautiful when you have a one and a half year old baby to care for.Just be kinder on yourself and enjoy some of the baby clutter.
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
7 Aug 10
thanks hatley for the response. While reading your comment, I was imagining already what you are saying and it makes me feel more relaxed. Maybe because she is my first baby, that's why I am trying so hard to be always protective to her and clean in everything always. But now, I realize that it is more important to enjoy her now while she's still a baby and find more time to relax and not to be perfectly clean always. Good day!
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
7 Aug 10
i think this is a common scenario with babies around. you don't have to clean and organize things very often except for the spills. do it once or twice in a day. that way you still have energy for the baby.
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
7 Aug 10
you are right. But the problem with is that since I was still single, I tend to be perfectionist in our house, I always want it to be organized and clean always. I become hot tempered when the house gets dirty. But I know it is different now, so I really have to change that attitude especially that this is my baby. I just have difficulty adjusting what I am used to do since I was younger and now that I have a baby.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
4 Aug 10
I have gone through this for the past two years with my granddaughter living with me. Don't get me wrong I love her like no other but the toys are all over the place constantly. I try to get her to play with one toy at a time. It works for awhile and then she goes back to taking out two or more at a time. Constantly cleaning up each and everyday can be a nuance but you are not alone in this. There are many mothers and grandmothers doing the same thing each and everyday. Hang in there before you know it she will be off to school and then you will wish for these days again. Maybe!
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
5 Aug 10
You are right, I'll probably miss her playfulness like this when she grows up already and wish she is still a baby. I'll just cherish every moment right now even if it is really tiring. thank you!
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
4 Aug 10
Hi, I also face the same issue like you. I am a full-time housewife and doing housechores and takingcare of my son is my daily routine. I have to wakeup aerly every morning to get ready breakfast for my family,then sent my son for half day nursery class. When my son is at school, I have to faster clean the house and arrange the toys nicely. Prepare his lunch and then fetch him back from school. In the afternoon, have to shower and get him for a nap. Sometimes, I will have a rest for a while when my son is having his nap. Before he wake up, I have to get ready dinner. Only night time,then I can sit down and watch TV for awhile before doing my laundry and wash the plates after dinner. Pretty tiring,but no choice,I have to do it too. The most important is I am having a happy family.
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
5 Aug 10
I guess that is the most important thing, you are happy with what you are doing and you can see the result of your efforts. Even if it is really tiring, if you can see that your baby and husband are happy and taken care of their needs, you can already happy too.. Let's just find time to rest also.
@mspitot (3824)
• Philippines
14 Aug 10
Yes when I see my brother and my father messing in what I have worked hard cleaning.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
i guess that's part of having a baby... you only get a clean house whenever the baby is asleep. it's nice that you clean the papers that she tears right away but wouldnt it be better if you put it somewhere she cant reach them? that way you wouldn't have to worry about her all the time.
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
you are right, the house is clean when she is asleep but when she wakes up already, the house is so disorganized again. She loves reading my books or maybe just looking at the pictures, which are not yet for her age, anything that I use, she will really ask for it or get it. I allow her to read my books or any paper that she sees because if I stop her, she will really cry. But most of the time I will just see the papers torn already. Sometimes, instead of giving my books, I will just give her scratch paper or magazines, leaflets, which she can read and tear so that she will not cry. So most of the time, I really I have to allow her doing that and just clean it immediately always.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
you really are a hands-on mommy. you should get her those baby books that have hard pages. it'll be safer for her and they also have picture to get her occupied.
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
yeah I'm getting tired of cleaning our house everyday, then I'm also taking care of my one year old niece...
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
Well, I think that is part of life even without a baby, we need to clean even though it is really tiring. On your part, even if it is just your niece, you still need to exert effort on taking care of her. We just have to do some other activities for ourselves so that we some of our tiresome will fade away.
@devijay78 (1573)
• India
7 Aug 10
My kid is three. But as they grow, the house becomes more and more dirty! Honestly, she likes nothing more than scattering things throught the house. She plays with all her toys and likes them on the floor, on the bed, on the chair and everywhere except their respective places. But then, I am teaching her to put things back in their same place and help me when I clean up the mess. Sometimes she does and sometimes she does not. Dont worry. All of us feel the same way.
@dian21 (606)
• Philippines
8 Aug 10
That is true. I will just let her do what she is enjoy doing right now, anyways soon, she can help me already in putting her things back into their proper places and my work load will lessen and have more time to relax and do here in mylot. Thanks.
@cher8558 (425)
• Canada
8 Aug 10
Hi moms/friends, You know my kids are about grown up now. I remember those days of going crazy trying to be the perfect mom and the perfect housewife and the perfect hostess. Do you know what I have realized in my years? You children are little for such a short time.... a really short time. I finally realized this with my last child. The dust bunnies will still be there tomorrow. The husband (if he loves you) will still be there tomorrow and your friends will still be there tomorrow. But your babies, they are there for the blink of an eye. So leave the dust bunnies and the lint on the carpet. Just get down there on the carpet with the lint and play with your kids. Take them to the park. Enjoy your children from the moment they come into this world. Cause I tell ya, I wish I had spent more time with the kids and less time trying to be all I could be. Enjoy those kids Cheryl
@peedielyn (1207)
• United States
4 Aug 10
I am a mother and step-mother to alltogether 7 kids. Everyday is war in our house. I have toys, crayons, clothes--clean and dirty to pick up and supposed to clean up after them when they are done. I have a beau in the house who think blowing his nose on anything within reach is okay, especially when he is out of paper towels. Then when he's done with that paper towel, it lands somewhere in the kitchen, not in the trashcan. I constantly tell him I am going to leave him because somedays I feel like the only reason I am here is to clean up after him and the kids and cook and be pleasant when his mother comes around. I also have a garden that I am in charge of and that aggravates me because I get no break. I am actually at my break right now as all the kids are at the other parents house at the moment. The house will stay clean until they all come in and start destroying it. I know how you feel. I hate this life but love the kids too much to leave it....grrr...
@atv818 (1980)
• United Arab Emirates
8 Aug 10
I understand what you're going through. During the times when my kids were around that age, I get so exhausted even when I had hired help to assist me at those times. It's very physically exhausting. My nanny would take turns in cleaning and taking care of them. My youngest is already age 8. We no longer have a need for a nanny anymore since we can tell the kids to clean up or tidy up themselves. Sometimes, I miss caring for a baby or little toddler but after remembering what I had to go through before, well, it's better that I play with other people's babies and return them to the rightful owner once I'm done with my fun.
@rastogisw (445)
• India
4 Aug 10
Yes , I have two kids one is 4 year and second one is 1 and half year . younger one is very naughty as they both never listen . Younger one just she is fond of throwing every thing and scattered every thing and have to clean up everything other wise whole house will look like mess and till she wakes up I never get the time to do anything else except watching her.Sometimes I really get pissed what to do
• Romania
4 Aug 10
i am not mother but sometimes cleaning evryday is tired. Especially if you come tired from job in the night!
• Romania
4 Aug 10
I also have kids and i think its like having several jobs..And the problem is that most of the time your work is not appreciated at its real value..The rest of the people especially men take this cleaning stuff for granted and dont even notice it unless you dont do it.Then they realise somebody is doing it every day..I think its much easier if you partner helps you with the chores and appreciates you work