| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Camy |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 1:59:40 PM
I need some help! As a homeschooling mother of 7, I am thoroughly multitasking much of the time. The problem with my method is that I'm a hopelessy random personality who has to work hard just to keep my head above water when it comes to organizaton.
Alas, the issue...Can someone recommend either a book or some tips on how to manage meal making, clean-up, and kitchen organization? What is your own tried and true system? I thought maybe I should check out a home economics textbook for information.
MaryJane herself amazes me that she can do *so* much and keep it moving smoothly. I realize I'll never be perfect, yet I desire to learn more and do better in this area.
Blessings! |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ladybugsmom6 |
Posted - Apr 24 2006 : 4:26:52 PM
Terri I have a whole slew of wonderful intelegent, although strongwilledgirlsthat will be ready for him in about 8 yrs! he is just the type i am looking for!
-Tami
now ladybugsmom7, the newest farm girl Danielle elizabethwas born March23, Danielle Elizabeth |
| Terri |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 7:42:00 PM
Last week, I watched two specials on the Duggar Family on TLC channel. WOW!!! What a sweet, calm and spiritual lady! (and family, for that matter!) She could charge money giving patience lessons, and I'd be first in line! But assigning chores and delegating is so important. My oldest, a boy, has been doing laundry for a few years, and told me that a few months ago, he and some guy friends were talking about washing clothes, and when he proudly told them that he did most of him own and lots of the family's, they actually made fun of him!! But he stood up to the teasing and informed them that at least his Mommy wouldn't have to take care of him forever!! What a STUD!! He can cook some, too!! Any nice, smart young daughters out there nearby that want to meet my intelligent, athletic, farm-raised 16 yr.old son?? LOL I'm working on the 14 yr. old boy now...He'll take a bit longer...The two daughters are coming along nicely, too, if I do say so myself. :)
Terri
...there's NEVER too many flowers! |
| ladybugsmom6 |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 07:52:01 AM
Camy, I too am blessed with 7 young ones 11yo- 1mo. Frazzeled? Yeah! Understatment! I also Homeschool. I have found that kids working together may bicker but it teaches responsibility and conflict resolution. Eventually ifigure they will learn to be quick so they can go play. I do NOT do dishes. I cook, I lead, I plan, they do dishes. I usually assign weekly kitchen chores, but timing fluxuates. One child washes, one dries and puts away, one is in charge of clearing table and counters, one is in charge of the floor. My 4 yo helps clear and put away.
I sure understand how you feel about the "horror" mones. At 1 mo post partum, I feel like I should be ableto keep up with my house and kids and planting the garden, but my body just wont let me. Last night I broke down and cried, my body hurt and I accomplished so little on the to do list. My husband does his part and works so hard, I dont want him to feel he has to fill in my shortcommings or live in the mess. YOu know 7 kids, 9 people in one house makes for alot of work. The trick is in getting everyone to work together. But hey we HS which means we can teach them well life lessons that will always benifit. I frequenntly threaten to trow away all crayons, but we are too creative for that.We are looking for a creative way to live with the mess or find easy organization!6,4,2yos dont do organization!
Good luck and relax, they will grow and the peanut butter smudges will disapear with time! Or at least that is what they tell me!
-Tami
now ladybugsmom7, the newest farm girl Danielle elizabethwas born March23, Danielle Elizabeth |
| Destiny~ |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 06:56:07 AM
I learned a lot from some TV shows. One was 'Clean Sweep' that helped me realize that a lot of what I have is just a waste. So I've been filling up the garage for a garage sale (it's in two weeks) or else donating/giving stuff away. I already feel better. Less to take care of and less clutter. It also helped me to create ways to store things.
I've also been learning from cooking shows. Like to do all the prep work first and then cook. I used to try to cut up stuff as the rest of the dish started cooking-way too stressful.
I don't dare try the flylady, from what I've heard about her way, I was overwhelmed without even trying.
Good luck. |
| JennyWren |
Posted - Apr 20 2006 : 9:45:21 PM
I did Flylady too.. Then wanted to SHOOT myself for throwing away so much! NEVER AGAIN!
The control journal is a godsend.
Delegating is the key. Even when my children were young they had things there were responsible for. Which in the long run helped them as adults. My son and daughters can all cook (actually love to cook/bake) and function on their own. I attribute that to early training.
My husband on the other hand... Has a mother who did EVERYTHING.. I mean everything... Which in the end didn't do one thing to help him or his brother. They never learned to organize their own lives. Michael got a crash course in that, when we met 
So when thinking about just kitchen stuff.. Think about the long term effects of doing too much, and not delegating enough. It's a life lesson for our children.
If you treat an individual as what he is, he will stay that way, but if you
treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be.
-- Goethe
www.jennywrensurbanhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| sillyfoulks |
Posted - Mar 23 2006 : 11:40:28 AM
I think we all feel hopeless sometimes, At least I know I do.
Some tricks I have learned over the years.
I don't spend a bunch of time on socks. When washed they are tossed in laundry basket, and everyone digs for them. About twice a month or more often they are matched up and put in draws. Once the rest of the clothes are washed they go in seperate laundry baskets, and everyone puts up there own( I do do hubbies). When done eating no one leaves their dishes. They scrap, rinse, put in washer. I wash dishes as I cook the meal. Most leftovers go in baggies or left over butter or cottage cheese containers. Easier to throw out, if it goes bad. Bulk cook when convenient. I like doing this with chili, spahgette sauce, and meatloaf. As far as picking up the house, I use a timer. I give myself 20 min. every morning for picking up. It is amazing what can be done in 20 minutes. Once a week I do what I call 5 min. quick clean. Each room gets five minutes, dusting, wiping, and polishing. Then I sweep, and vacumn every room, followed by any moping. The whole cleaning takes no more then 2 hrs.
I have tried flyladys method, but I found it was much the same as I was doing. We don't wear shoes in the house. What I found most helpful was the Control Journal. It really helps me stay in control. I was forever losing my daughters spelling words, or permission slips, or simply forgetting practices, meetings, and appointments. Now even if I am busy, I can find the information I need.
My control journal sits in a large basket, and with it that weeks paper. The kids know that any school papers that need my attention go in the basket, (unless needed the next morning). Every morning after everyone is off to school or work, I go to the basket and do any sorting and signing.
One important thing I have learned is that our home is for us. I keep our home fairly clean and tidy, but I don't get hung up on stuff. I only have to please myself, and my family.
Elizabeth
Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing.
http://livingcountrystyle.blogspot.com/ |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 3:26:07 PM
I don't really have any advice to offer - 20 years ago I bought the Sidetracked Home Executives book (ever hear of CHAOS? Can't have anyone over syndrome!) I followed their system for a while but got bored with it pretty fast.
I can only offer companionship! I am blessed to have a husband who allows me to make my messes in 2 rooms and keeps after me to keep the common areas picked up. Otherwise I would be finding my way through stacks of newspaper and old magazines.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 1:42:16 PM
Wow! Did you say SEVENTEEN children?!?!?!? This woman has to be just amazing. I'm going to check out the website - sometimes I feel overwhelmed by a house, farm and a 2-yr-old (and I'm expecting another...). I'm sure I can find some tips, too.
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 12:58:49 PM
Hi Cami,
Since you have a whole covey of Kids  , I suggest you check out the Duggar Family Website. They have 17 (unless they've had a few more when I wasn't looking)!
Michelle Duggar homeschools too and they are completely debt free and self supporting as well.
Michelle's stories are encouraging and she has great ways of dealing not just with the kitchen but with the whole house. For example, the boys wear black socks and the girls wear white socks. They have a bin for each color in the laundry room and the kids go get their socks from them. No sorting, folding, or wasting time (in their case) putting them into a drawer.
Michelle also give recipes they love and that kids can be taught, or helped, depending on their age, to cook.
http://www.duggarfamily.com
Now I've got to go have a lie down. Just thinking about chasing and feed seven kids makes me tired!
Lucinda
Flylady works fabulously for some of my friends but when I tried it, I just felt NAGGED everytime an e-mail appeared.
When we were young, there were moments of such perfectly crystallized happiness that we stood stock still and silently promised ourselves that we would remember them always. And we did. --Holly J. Burkhalter , "Four Midwestern Sisters' Christmas Book"
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| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 11:59:20 AM
Hello Laura,
I only had 5 children but I know how frustrated I became at times. But chores are a great help. When my two adopted children moved I went from 3 - 5 little people in one day. Laundry was one of the chores that boggled my mind but one thing that help was I bought some bins and labeled then with colors that where to be put in the bins. I also attached paint samples to the outside under the word for those that could not read and pictures for like the blue jean only bin. Even my 4 year old could understand that. Sorting became easy. I also taught my 8 & 12 year old how to run the washing machine. With the laundry sorted by all it was very seldom that a red made it into the whites. I made an older child responsiable for a younger one to make sure that they had a clean face and clothes before we left the house and they were to make sure their younger charge was buckled and in the car ready to go. Older ones sat and read with younger ones while I cooked dinner (we were all in the kitchen) All took turns helping to cook, set the table, do dishes, ect.... It's amazing what a 4 year old can do. When I became a single mom we use to split the shopping lists and all grab a cart and off to collect our portion of the list (of course at that point they were(6-14)and then home to unload and make a snack. They learn budgeting and responsiablity. To this day(18-25)they are thankful for the lessons they learned as many of their friends can do little more then microwave a can of something and walk around with pink socks. But most important don't expect perfection from yourself or them. A happy family is way more important then the cleanest house on the block. Enjoy your children as before you know it you will be an empty nester and wish for those past days.
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the simple life :>) |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Mar 10 2006 : 04:47:49 AM
Laura, you are so right! Giving your children domestic responsibilities is a loving thing. I knew an alarming number of people in college who had total meltdowns because they had no clue how to work a washing machine or balance a checkbook. Had their parents been the type to delegate rather than do everything for them, they could have been spared a lot of needless anxiety.
My hubby has been in the restaurant business for more than thirty years, and one thing he stresses is Clean As You Go. This way you never have a big mountain mess; they're all just little ones. And they're fresh, not old and funky.
I could never hack Flylady; the silly buzzwords annoy me half to death. But there are calendar programs you can buy for your computer that will pull up any date, and you can program them to give you all sorts of reminders on the calendar. You can do your menu planning on them, remind yourself to do laundry every Monday, mop floors on every other Tuesday, wash winter coats once a month, etc. It can be seasonal or however you like. Once you have one of these filled out, you can cough up a daily list of chores each morning, and click them off as you go through your day. And you don't have to think about it, so you can leave your brain power for something else.
"What another would do as well as you, do not do it. What another would have said as well as you, do not say it; written as well, do not write it. Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself, and there, make yourself indispensable." ---Andre Gide |
| LJRphoto |
Posted - Mar 09 2006 : 9:01:52 PM
I don't know how old your 7 children are, but I have one word for you... "delegation." It really helps me on busy nights to put my 13 and 10 year old to work. I know a lot of the time I have felt that it was just too hard to organize them and get them working on their tasks and I think that was a HUGE mistake on my part which I am trying to remedy now. If your kids are really little maybe they could have very small simple jobs so things will get easier as they get older and can take on more complicated tasks.
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." -Mark Twain
http://ljrenterprises.blogspot.com/ |
| Camy |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 1:24:51 PM
Thanks, everyone, for your helpful and insightful responses! I realize that at times, my main problem is "hormone meltdown" which I go through frequently (I've been nursing or pregnant for 12 years straight!). This is usually when I become overwhelmed. My life is filled with blessings, and yet when one is blessed with much, a lot is required to keep the ship running smoothly. When my mind and body are working together as a well-oiled machine, things are fine. Flydlady routines, bulk cooking, organization manuals, and getting rid of clutter are all things I need to do. It's by God's grace that I am blessed AND that so many with encouraging wisdom are there willing to lend a helping hand (or word!). I thank you for taking the time to post (I know how busy life can be), and that means a lot to me. Thanks!!
Blessings,
Camy |
| Jana |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 10:26:14 AM
I did flylady for a while and found it overwhelming. I felt like more of a failure than ever. Its just me, I'm sure. I'm also a bit "scattered" and I don't even have kids at home.
For me, I figured I had just too much stuff. Programs on networks like HGTV's Mission Organization and the like helped me even if they didn't speak exactly to my situation. I gradually donated and sold until I had a manageable amount. It even meant getting rid of some furniture items that just were NOT serving their purpose and finding something (not always new) that worked better.
I will say, that keeping the kitchen counters cleaned up (Flylady) was a good thing for me and I always feel better when its done. I also try to keep the bathroom clean, especially at the sink. I can't always clean EVERYTHING, but just leaving a room a little better than I found it certainly helps.
Remember,you are you! Just because someone else appears to do it ALL doesn't mean that you can or want to. Keep it Simple!
Jana |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 10:14:19 AM
Oh....her book is called "Sink Reflections" and her name is Marla Cilley
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 09:44:40 AM
Flylady for sure!!! It is great! I don't always stick with it all..but boy it helps when I do!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| farmgrlchick |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 09:20:59 AM
Look up flylady.net....it isn't speciffacly for homeschooling, but I believe there is a homeschooling section. I lOVe the flylady! Look up Kelly's missions, for help with daily "keeping up" around the home help. Anyway I that helps.
Farmgirl Blessings,
Theresa |
| owwlady |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 08:23:52 AM
Camy, check out the book "Confessions of an Organized Housewife". There are tons of great ideas in there even if you don't go all out like the author does. I first found it years ago in the library and then found it at Half Price Books, used books store. Check it out and happy organizing!! |
| Yogifarmgirl |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 2:17:49 PM
I do bulk cooking. I spend one or two days per month making tons of food that can be packaged into smaller zip lock or tupperware portion and then frozen. You have a hot fresh meal everynight and don't have to worry about messy cleanup. This method also saves money as there is less waste and whatever is leftover I use for lunch the next day. I run my own yoga studio and have two children ages 3& 6 but find that this system works for working moms as well as stay home moms. My favorite book is Frozen Assets Lite and Easy, Cook for a day and eat for a month by Deborah Taylor Hough. I like this book because it has vegetarian options as well as meat.
The other thing you can do is split the cooking with a friend. My Mom will do Chicken and Beef and I will do Pasta and Vegetarian and then we share the portions. You get more variety that way and save time. Good Luck I hope this helps!!
"Breathe in the Sunshine" |
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