Family schedules and routines

I thrive on routine. I was wondering what everyone's cleaning, errand, life schedules and routines were. We used to do a big clean every saturday and then just keep the house picked up the rest of the week and do dishes and laundry as needed. When Kendall was born and I became an official stay at home mom I would deep clean one section of the house each day- laundry monday, dust on tuesday, bathrooms on wed. etc.- and still try to keep things picked up. I've fallen off the deep clean each week bandwagon lately and want to get back on in a way that meshes well with taking care of two kids.




So what are your schedules like? Does anyone do the fly lady route? Any tips or suggestions?

In my dreams

I often make mental notes of things that I want in my dream home. For example, I want a craft room with tons of storage and working space, and a TV. I most often think of what my kitchen would look like. It for sure needs tons of counter space and an island with a second sink for food prep. It would also have two ovens and a commercial-style range. What are some of the things that you love (big or small) about your home now, or would love to have in a home some day?


What would it be like to have a place for all the fabric, ribbon, yarn, paper, stamps, pictures, and other craft stuff that keeps piling up?











This is a faucet mounted on the backsplash so you can fill pots up right on the stove. Pretty cool.













This is like a little counter garage. A door closes to hide the appliances, leaving counter space in front for other uses.

Time Management

I sometimes wish there was a few extra hours in the day so I could get more done. I came across this article on babycenter.com called "Busy mom's guide: How to do everything faster (and better!)" They listed 50 ways to save time and here are a few that I thought might be worth a try. What are some of your time-saving techniques?

*When you see a great toy on sale, buy several and sock them away for your child to give to friends at birthday parties throughout the year.
*Give your grade-schooler a "homework box" with pencils, an eraser, a stapler, a calculator, and a ruler. Ask her to bring it to the table whenever it's time to do homework.
*Stock your produce drawer or a lower shelf in your refrigerator with snacks like carrot sticks and apple slices that your kids can grab without your help. Set up a similar area in your pantry with baggies full of dried fruit or graham crackers.
*Store sets of sheets and pillowcases inside unfolded pillowcases to make bed changes fast and easy and minimize clutter in your linen closet.
*Start a monthly meal exchange program with friends and neighbors. (Mical, you'll have to let us know how this works out for you)
*Chop all your vegetables, fruits, and herbs for the week's meals at one time so everything will be ready for cooking.
*Keep disinfecting and glass wipes in the bathroom for quick cleanups around toilets, sinks, and mirrors. You could even do a speedy wipe-down while you bathe the kids.
*Choose meats or other proteins that can be used for several meals during a week. A store-bought rotisserie chicken can be shredded and used for several dishes, like chicken enchiladas, homemade chicken soup, and chicken salad. Slow-cooked pork tenderloin can double as barbecued pork sandwiches with just a bottle of barbecue sauce. Cooked beans can go in salad, tacos, and vegetable soup.
*Keep an overnight bag in your car with an extra outfit for each child, including diapers or underwear, nonperishable snacks, and toiletries. In the event of an emergency, messy meal, or whirlwind overnight trip, you're set!
*Keep a pack of thank-you cards in the glove box of your car or in your daily planner so you can write notes while sitting in the car or waiting for a doctor to see you.

There are some other articles that might be useful http://www.babycenter.com/parents-managing-time-housework

Mother Who Needs to Know

Help! I have been asked to take part in a discussion group tomorrow. I am to lead a discussion on Mothers Who Know Are Nurturers and I have no idea what I am going to say. The girl who arranged all this wants only positive reinforcement of Julie Beck's talk and will not accept dissenting opinions. So all the interesting questions and PhD babble that my professor husband and I came up with is out the the window. That said, I do agree with this section of the talk, I just find it hard to measure up.

Here's that section of the talk:

Mothers Who Know Are Nurturers (segment taken from Julie Beck's talk in GC)

"Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness. To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens bet in a "house of order," and women should pattern their homes after the Lord's house. Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women." 

Any insights or tips on this topic would be greatly appreciated. I am especially interested in what people have to say that actually have a house of order (April and Stephanie, you know what I am talking about, your houses are always super clean). How does everyone balance the nurturing and housekeeping and keep everyone happy? I must admit for those of Katy's friends who haven't been to my house that I am a terrible housekeeper. I do play with my kids a lot and read to them and make crafts. I taught Aidan how to make rice krispie treats. He did it all by himself and they were delicious. The only chores my kids do are cleaning their rooms, taking out the trash and compost and occasionally mopping or vacuuming. I guess they do yard work with Collin sometimes.  

Also, my mom and stepmom are not what I would call the nurturing kind, at least not towards me. For those who don't know my family history, it contains 4 generations of divorce on my mom's side and two on my dad's side. I am pretty much the only active girl in 4 that were baptized. Two of my sisters have never been members of the church and my mom is not a member. I have two bi-sexual sisters and three of my 5 sisters live with their boyfriends. (And that is only the tip of the iceberg folks.) I am the only currently married one. One is divorced. It is lonely to be LDS in my family sometimes.

I didn't learn to cook until after I was married and it was a frustrating to concoct inedible meals so often. Collin employed a lot of tact during our first few years as a married couple. 

April and John have been wonderful examples to me. They really live the principles of nurturing and it shows in their home and children. Their kids are all caring, nurturing parents and all around wonderful people. I feel really grateful to have married UP in this respect. Thanks April and John!

I know some of you are not LDS. I hope you are not offended by this post. If you are a mother, you are a nurturer and that is what I want to hear about. Thanks all.