Peaceful home impossible?

[esperanza]

Reading along because I'm in the same place, except I only have one. Our house isn't that big, and the places to keep moving things up and out of ds' way are about non existent at this point. I feel like I'm constantly picking up/washing dishes/putting things back in their place, and then ds (and dh!) come and dump things out, and it's all undone in two minutes. I am not a neat freak, but I do definitely like order! So yeah, I get it. But I have no tips!

[ArmsOfLove]

One thing I had to come to terms with as a mother of 5 is that the home is for us to LIVE in - and living involves stuff and stuff feels like a mess to me, BUT it's what we clean (even as they are undoing it) because it just needs to be maintained. I now believe it is an unrealistic expectation to have the whole house clean while there are little children within. That the tasks are never *all* finished at the same time.

[Johns_Gal]

I have been getting rid of stuff. Clothes mostly, because we all tend to wear the same things in rotation anyway, and the amount of laundry for four people +bulky bedding + DH's work uniforms is appalling.

My eldest is six. He is a real help.

I just have one baby and she is a whirling dervish. Laundry is thrown, food is thrown, whatever she finds is dragged out/stashed/broken everywhere. Those with multiple little people, my hat is off to you. She threw scrambled eggs on the wall yesterday. THE WALL. Better than the night before, when it suddenly rained shredded chicken upon my head.

[mommychem]

I always say my mind is very organized, my surroundings-not so much. My biggest priorities are clean diapers for baby, dishes, and cooking from scratch. Everything else . It has made a difference since my olders are five and three. They can actually put away what the baby took out. : DH does the trash, his work laundry and sometimes cooks.

[mamacat]

Was also going to suggest ways to cut back on amount of laundry. Using those sleep and plays for baby helps if diaper doesnt leak at night - rather than having diff night clothes and getting totally dressed in something else.Especially for days not going out can do that with you all.Coton kint top and bottoms that are comfy enough for sleeping but can still wear for being at home for all of you.

[ValiantJoy07]

Yes having anyone who isn't opinionated about clothing getting "dressed for the day" at bedtime in a nice fleece romper or comfy cotton outfit with socks and staying in it until bedtime the next night simplifies and cuts down in laundry a lot.