Anonymous
07/07/2020 13:23
Subject: Re:Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It depends on the ages of the kids. People do different things.
When they were little, I had a housekeeper 25 hours/wk. M-Th she cane from 8am-1pm and did laundry, made dinner for that night, cleaned the kitchen, organized clothes, and generally kept the house tidy. Fridays she actually cleaned.
She set a lot of routines in place that we still use.
I worked more and less during those years, as did DH, and when I was at work we had a nanny/babysitter, but she was only responsible for the kids, not the house.
We moved when my youngest was 4 and hired someone to be here 10 hours/wk and still help with laundry. Kids also picked up more chores.
Can you elaborate on the helpful routines she put in place that you kept going forward?
I am not sure that it was the routines themselves that were helpful, more that everyone in the house got used to doing them for six years, so when we no longer had her there, we just kept them up.
One example is that she kept labeled storage bins for outgrown clothes in the laundry room. So as she noticed that something didn’t fit, the next time she passed it through the wash, she put it in storage.
She also put labels on all of the kids dresser drawers (pants, pajamas, shirts, etc). So it was easier for babysitters (and the kids who were old enough) to find their things and put them away.
She kept a box full of random toys and things she found in every floor of the house, then once a week we put it away. Rather than walking around putting everything away every day.
Ha! I do a lot of this too, it makes life a lot easier.
I don't have any help, and we have four kids. Its doable when the kids are in school, its tough right now with them all home. My job is pretty flexible, which has made life much easier.
Staying on top of clutter is really important, as is filing away paper and hand me downs as soon as possible.
Anonymous
07/07/2020 12:21
Subject: Re:Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
We are very, very organized. And we are strict about not bringing crap into the house.
DH and I use the phrase "Is there something you should be doing before you start playing with that?" and the kids hop up and go do their chores.
There is a place for everything. All the kids know where everything goes. We color code the kids linens and each kid knows the others colors. Green towel? That obviously goes on Sam's shelf since it's green.
DH and I teach the kids how to do things. The 8 yr old made dinner last night for the family. An older kid was so excited about what he was cooking that she offered to be sous chef and got put in charge of making the salad and setting the table.
DH and I use the phrase "Is there something you should be doing before you start playing with that?" and the kids hop up and go do their chores.
There is a place for everything. All the kids know where everything goes. We color code the kids linens and each kid knows the others colors. Green towel? That obviously goes on Sam's shelf since it's green.
DH and I teach the kids how to do things. The 8 yr old made dinner last night for the family. An older kid was so excited about what he was cooking that she offered to be sous chef and got put in charge of making the salad and setting the table.
Anonymous
07/07/2020 09:20
Subject: Re:Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
Good time management
Routine
Equal partnership (I'm a SAHM and DH is good dad/husband) divide and conquer somedays because 1 kid has hockey, the other has dance, 1 needs to be BF and the other has piano lessons, swimming etc.
Kids are responsible for their own rooms, and cleaning up their rec/playroom and completing their chores.
I like to schedule their checkups, and cleanings on the same day so that we don't have to make multiple trips.
I do the grocery shopping when they're at school, and complete errands.
We don't have a nanny or a cleaning service. I make dinner when our youngest takes a nap in the afternoon, and DH makes dinner every Friday.
Sunday's are always reserved for family.
Routine
Equal partnership (I'm a SAHM and DH is good dad/husband) divide and conquer somedays because 1 kid has hockey, the other has dance, 1 needs to be BF and the other has piano lessons, swimming etc.
Kids are responsible for their own rooms, and cleaning up their rec/playroom and completing their chores.
I like to schedule their checkups, and cleanings on the same day so that we don't have to make multiple trips.
I do the grocery shopping when they're at school, and complete errands.
We don't have a nanny or a cleaning service. I make dinner when our youngest takes a nap in the afternoon, and DH makes dinner every Friday.
Sunday's are always reserved for family.
Anonymous
07/07/2020 08:12
Subject: Re:Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It depends on the ages of the kids. People do different things.
When they were little, I had a housekeeper 25 hours/wk. M-Th she cane from 8am-1pm and did laundry, made dinner for that night, cleaned the kitchen, organized clothes, and generally kept the house tidy. Fridays she actually cleaned.
She set a lot of routines in place that we still use.
I worked more and less during those years, as did DH, and when I was at work we had a nanny/babysitter, but she was only responsible for the kids, not the house.
We moved when my youngest was 4 and hired someone to be here 10 hours/wk and still help with laundry. Kids also picked up more chores.
Can you elaborate on the helpful routines she put in place that you kept going forward?
I am not sure that it was the routines themselves that were helpful, more that everyone in the house got used to doing them for six years, so when we no longer had her there, we just kept them up.
One example is that she kept labeled storage bins for outgrown clothes in the laundry room. So as she noticed that something didn’t fit, the next time she passed it through the wash, she put it in storage.
She also put labels on all of the kids dresser drawers (pants, pajamas, shirts, etc). So it was easier for babysitters (and the kids who were old enough) to find their things and put them away.
She kept a box full of random toys and things she found in every floor of the house, then once a week we put it away. Rather than walking around putting everything away every day.
Anonymous
07/07/2020 08:03
Subject: Re:Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
Routines and family meetings.
You have to keep routines with both rigidity and flexibility, and family meetings have to be practical.
You have to keep routines with both rigidity and flexibility, and family meetings have to be practical.
Anonymous
07/07/2020 08:00
Subject: Re:Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
Anonymous wrote:It depends on the ages of the kids. People do different things.
When they were little, I had a housekeeper 25 hours/wk. M-Th she cane from 8am-1pm and did laundry, made dinner for that night, cleaned the kitchen, organized clothes, and generally kept the house tidy. Fridays she actually cleaned.
She set a lot of routines in place that we still use.
I worked more and less during those years, as did DH, and when I was at work we had a nanny/babysitter, but she was only responsible for the kids, not the house.
We moved when my youngest was 4 and hired someone to be here 10 hours/wk and still help with laundry. Kids also picked up more chores.
Can you elaborate on the helpful routines she put in place that you kept going forward?
Anonymous
07/07/2020 07:58
Subject: Re:Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
It depends on the ages of the kids. People do different things.
When they were little, I had a housekeeper 25 hours/wk. M-Th she cane from 8am-1pm and did laundry, made dinner for that night, cleaned the kitchen, organized clothes, and generally kept the house tidy. Fridays she actually cleaned.
She set a lot of routines in place that we still use.
I worked more and less during those years, as did DH, and when I was at work we had a nanny/babysitter, but she was only responsible for the kids, not the house.
We moved when my youngest was 4 and hired someone to be here 10 hours/wk and still help with laundry. Kids also picked up more chores.
When they were little, I had a housekeeper 25 hours/wk. M-Th she cane from 8am-1pm and did laundry, made dinner for that night, cleaned the kitchen, organized clothes, and generally kept the house tidy. Fridays she actually cleaned.
She set a lot of routines in place that we still use.
I worked more and less during those years, as did DH, and when I was at work we had a nanny/babysitter, but she was only responsible for the kids, not the house.
We moved when my youngest was 4 and hired someone to be here 10 hours/wk and still help with laundry. Kids also picked up more chores.
Anonymous
07/07/2020 01:56
Subject: Re:Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
In normal times? Kids are in school and we have a nanny for the toddler. My job is pretty flexible. DH’s is not. My parents live close by and spend time with the kids.
Now? We don’t. The kids are all home and want our attention. I’m doing my best and have accepted it won’t be good enough.
Now? We don’t. The kids are all home and want our attention. I’m doing my best and have accepted it won’t be good enough.
Anonymous
07/07/2020 01:04
Subject: Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
One parent stays home;
Or, they both work but have a wonderful nanny.
Or, they both work but have a wonderful nanny.
Anonymous
07/07/2020 00:35
Subject: Parents of 4 or more kids: How do you get everything done?
Any tips?