Eureka- I’ve Got it!
It has only taken me 12 years of marriage, 11 years out of college, 9 family moves, 6 years of parenting to 3 amazing children, and 3 self owned businesses for me to finally find a rhythm of keeping up my home.
In college, I was a neat freak. It was very easy to keep my chores up to date when it was only me making the mess. Then I got married (while still in college) to a wonderful husband who had a different version of “clean” than I did. (I know that is a shocker.) It was a good 5 years of working full time and trying to find out how to keep my house together..and how to let go of unrealistic expectations. Then kids came into the picture. Well, as you all may of guessed, the whole “cleaning thing” went out the window.
So how , do you ask, have I cracked this nut? Firstly, Laundry. Less stuff to wash is helpful. I gave away 60% of our families clothes. Now I do a load of laundry every day and put it away right when it is done. That has helped tremendously. No stress in the morning looking for clothes in laundry baskets is a very good thing!
With this little bit of experience I had a thought the other day. What if I clean a little bit every day? How would that work? Not picked up and straightened up but actually cleaned. So I have broken our house down into 6 zones for 6 days of the week. Leaving the 7th day free for Sabbath rest.
So now I wake an hour before the kids to have my own time to workout and start the day with a God centered frame of mind. The freedom within structure is holding true in my own life as well. I have a plan to slowly and steadily do my work in a God honoring way, while including the children. I must say it is very satisfying. It is actually inspiring me to write something on our typical daily rhythm. So look for that soon!
So what is your daily house keeping rhythm? Consistent or nonexistent. Feel free to tell on yourself in the comment section or let me know your thoughts on your blog.
Peace to all~
