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[HappyWifey]

I want to do a post for my blog soon about the importance of a clean home, and was wanting to open this subject for discussion and ideas I can put in my post, and also because this is a subject the Lord is teaching me right now.

How to you keep your home clean and tidy? What should the role of a teenaged daughter be in caring for this aspect of the home. What do you have your daughters to do to teach them this important responsibility? Why is it important to you that home home be clean?

http://thelordspreciousjewels.blogspot.com/

[rejoicing]

Ha! Actually if it weren't for my tidy hubby, I'd probably NEVER even notice if my house was trashed! LOL!!! 
So for me it is important to keep my house clean, because it is important to my husband.  Also, the whole day runs smoother and more efficiently if everything is tidy and put in its place.  I've also notice the kids are in a much better mood when the house is clean.  My house isn't always as clean as I would like it to be, but I do have one friend who keeps a spotless house.  It helps her to be one of the most hospitable people I know.  People can pop in any time, and she is always ready to welcome them in.  That's a good reason to keep a clean house. 
I think it is VERY important for kids to learn early to clean.  I think its also very important for my sons to learn to do all the household tasks.  I started teaching them as soon as they could walk!  They both (not just my daughter) do daily chores which include tasks like sweeping, dishes, laundry, picking up.  My kids also work beside me whenever I have a task around the house to do.  When I was on bed rest a few months back, they were able to keep the whole house in order!!!   They even cooked small easy meals!     So I think by the time a child is a teen they should be able to efficiently keep the house tidy.  But now, if they don't ever see you make it a priority, they won't either.
I think it helps to keep it fun.  For example, when my son is doing dishes, I am usually doing something in the kitchen and we get in a good one-on-one talk.  We play music and dance.  We have contests to see who can do the best job the fastest, etc.  Sometimes we play word games while we clean-like all the words we can think of that start with a C or rhymes, etc.  We have so much fun that last christmas my 5yo little girl asked for a pink broom vac for christmas!!!     They think cleaning is great fun! LOL!

[ForeverGirl]

Wow, can I just sign my name to this post too? Rejoicing, you totally described our house, our kids, our reasons why, right down to the music and games... everything! Amazing. Weird. 

Ha! Actually if it weren't for my tidy hubby, I'd probably NEVER even notice if my house was trashed! LOL!!! 
So for me it is important to keep my house clean, because it is important to my husband.  Also, the whole day runs smoother and more efficiently if everything is tidy and put in its place.  I've also notice the kids are in a much better mood when the house is clean.  My house isn't always as clean as I would like it to be, but I do have one friend who keeps a spotless house.  It helps her to be one of the most hospitable people I know.  People can pop in any time, and she is always ready to welcome them in.  That's a good reason to keep a clean house. 
I think it is VERY important for kids to learn early to clean.  I think its also very important for my sons to learn to do all the household tasks.  I started teaching them as soon as they could walk!  They both (not just my daughter) do daily chores which include tasks like sweeping, dishes, laundry, picking up.  My kids also work beside me whenever I have a task around the house to do.  When I was on bed rest a few months back, they were able to keep the whole house in order!!!   They even cooked small easy meals!     So I think by the time a child is a teen they should be able to efficiently keep the house tidy.  But now, if they don't ever see you make it a priority, they won't either.
I think it helps to keep it fun.  For example, when my son is doing dishes, I am usually doing something in the kitchen and we get in a good one-on-one talk.  We play music and dance.  We have contests to see who can do the best job the fastest, etc.  Sometimes we play word games while we clean-like all the words we can think of that start with a C or rhymes, etc.  We have so much fun that last christmas my 5yo little girl asked for a pink broom vac for christmas!!!     They think cleaning is great fun! LOL!

Rebekah

[andiclare]

Everything is just that much easier when the house is nice and clean. When it's too messy I find I can't even think straight. I'm more distracted and moody and that's infectious to others, so...yeah.

For me, the main "trick" is I clean as I go. For example, when I'm cooking I clean each utensil and pot as soon as I'm done using it so I'm not faced with a  huge sinkful of dishes at the end.

[smfmommy]

My mind definitely works better when my "world" is in order around me.  Clutter ends up cluttering my thoughts.     We keep the house clean with a schedule - laundry monday, bathrooms tuesday, etc.  This way I know its all getting done throughout the course of the week.  I do like that I can have someone over without a frenzied hour (or day) of cleaning.  We also make sure to tidy up before Daddy comes homes so he can feel relaxed when he walks in the door.

All the kiddos help to their ability.  I think it is very important for children to get into the habit of helping with all the aspects of home life.  By the time they are teenagers they should be able to do it all.  We don't have as much fun as others do but everyone agrees that the house is much nicer when it is kept clean so the work gets done with minimal complaint.   It is part of our daily routine.

Let us know when you post your article/blog.
 

[amy3js]

...I do have one friend who keeps a spotless house.  It helps her to be one of the most hospitable people I know.  People can pop in any time, and she is always ready to welcome them in.  That's a good reason to keep a clean house. 

This is actually the very reason I have been trying to keep my house cleaner lately. My husband likes to invite people over on the spur of the moment and I really dislike having people over to a messy house. So I have been trying to keep things cleaner and cleaning as I go, like someone else said. Plus I think it helps my mood too.   

[ridgerunner]

I think keeping a tidy home is important, that's why I'm TRYING (key word there) to get better about this.    I'm an unorganized, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants (hi Sandi!) type of gal. 

However, there is another side to it that I want to point out.  Growing up, my parents were very very particular about their house.  They would freak out about kids that were over, constantly telling them to stay away from the stairs, take their shoes off, pick up their crumbs, etc. etc. etc..  It was the same with most adult visitors.  Take your shoes off (white carpet), don't sit in the wooden chairs if you have metal stuff on your belt because you might scratch them, etc. etc. etc..  Mom simply couldn't function when the house wasn't perfect, and they honestly had no idea how uncomfortable they were making everyone, thought they were just protecting their home.  I know taking your shoes off in the house is normal in some cultures and parts of the US, but in the south and mid south, it's considered rude to ask guests to.  The nagging was worse on my sister and me - we would get yelled at for things like "walking too heavily on the carpet" or "squashing the couch" (it's really hard to SIT on a couch without squashing it :/). People often assume that kids aren't listening to adult conversations so since I was a small child, I heard people complaining about my parents "persnicktiness" regarding their house and heard them saying stuff about it that they would never have said to my parents.  So, my parents were totally confused when family stopped coming over unless they couldn't get around it, and also stopped inviting them along for trips where the cleanliness might not be up to their exacting standards. 

I'm sure no one here would go this far, but just in case someone might be like my parents and alienate people without realizing it, I thought I'd share this.  Mom and Dad honestly had no idea that of how they were coming across with their neatness. 

A clean house is very inviting and comfortable to guests, I totally agree.  But imposing restrictions on your guests and nagging at them about keeping it that way - that behaviour is the opposite of inviting.    

Like I said, I highly doubt that this is an issue with any of you ladies, but just thought I'd share the experience.  Knowledge is power!! 

[amy3js]

I think keeping a tidy home is important, that's why I'm TRYING (key word there) to get better about this.    I'm an unorganized, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants (hi Sandi!) type of gal. 

However, there is another side to it that I want to point out.  Growing up, my parents were very very particular about their house.  They would freak out about kids that were over, constantly telling them to stay away from the stairs, take their shoes off, pick up their crumbs, etc. etc. etc..  It was the same with most adult visitors.  Take your shoes off (white carpet), don't sit in the wooden chairs if you have metal stuff on your belt because you might scratch them, etc. etc. etc..  Mom simply couldn't function when the house wasn't perfect, and they honestly had no idea how uncomfortable they were making everyone, thought they were just protecting their home.  I know taking your shoes off in the house is normal in some cultures and parts of the US, but in the south and mid south, it's considered rude to ask guests to.  The nagging was worse on my sister and me - we would get yelled at for things like "walking too heavily on the carpet" or "squashing the couch" (it's really hard to SIT on a couch without squashing it :/). People often assume that kids aren't listening to adult conversations so since I was a small child, I heard people complaining about my parents "persnicktiness" regarding their house and heard them saying stuff about it that they would never have said to my parents.  So, my parents were totally confused when family stopped coming over unless they couldn't get around it, and also stopped inviting them along for trips where the cleanliness might not be up to their exacting standards. 

I'm sure no one here would go this far, but just in case someone might be like my parents and alienate people without realizing it, I thought I'd share this.  Mom and Dad honestly had no idea that of how they were coming across with their neatness. 

A clean house is very inviting and comfortable to guests, I totally agree.  But imposing restrictions on your guests and nagging at them about keeping it that way - that behaviour is the opposite of inviting.    

Like I said, I highly doubt that this is an issue with any of you ladies, but just thought I'd share the experience.  Knowledge is power!! 

I also know someone like this and I completely agree with you ridgerunner. The point is a clean house for easier/better hospitality, not to appease a perfectionist attitude. 

[HappyWifey]

Thanks for the replies ladies!

My mom is great housekeeper, keeping the house clean, and yet "dirty" enough that guests wouldn't feel ill at ease. She also taught us how to clean, but one thing she didn't pass on to us girls is a hard work ethic, and I really struggle with this. Sometimes it is SO easy to just make most things look neat, and just clean around the clutter KWIM? How do you pass on a hard work ethic, and a love for cleaning the home on to your daughters? I don't want to make this mistake with mine! It has taken me THREE years to get to where I can keep the house tidy nearly every day, and do a little deep cleaning every now and then. I do not want to be a house is alright type of a housekeeper. I want it to be to where I can have spur of the moment guests and not be embarrassed because of the mess or clutter. I have several excellent examples, one is my aunt Pauline, and the other is my Pastor's wife. I really need to find the time somehow to talk to them!

Thanks ladies! I'm not sure at this moment when I will get the time to write the post as I was lazy yesterday and didn't get the extra cleaning I was going to do done then, so I need to do it today.

[rainygladness]

How do you keep your home clean and tidy?
I set up my house to make it work for me instead of me working for it.  I keep  a roll of paper towels, a squirt bottle of vinegar and pop up disinfectant wipes under each bathroom sink.  Then when I see an area that’s in need of a spruce up, it only takes an extra minute or two to do a "quick clean" while you're in there anyway.
I guess laziness takes on a different expression in me.  I can't stand looking for things so I make a place for everything.  Then I get more time to spend on important things instead of wasting time looking for things like keys or library books or whatever.
Task cleaning works best for me rather than keeping an schedule.   When I see a need, I fill it.  So instead of blocking in certain cleaning jobs for certain days, I block in the time needed to do it.   No matter how many cleaning charts I've made myself over the years, if my kitchen floor needs a mopping on Monday but it's not scheduled until Thursday, I can’t see the logic in waiting for the ‘right’ day to mop it. I just do right then.   I marvel at women who are able to maintain a cleaning schedule.  It's a talent!  But in the end, I think we really end up doing what works best for our individual personalities. 

What should the role of a teenage daughter be in caring for this aspect of the home.

I think for girls, it comes more instinctively to ‘keep house’ than it does for boys.  But the most fun is always when one of my kids does something or figures out something better than I can.  It’s the best compliment a parent could ever have when their children out perform them.

What do you have your daughters do to teach them this important responsibility?

I related so much to what Rejoicing said about KP with her kids.  I always have my kids in the kitchen with me peeling, chopping, singing etc.  We talk and have fun.  Our daughter had enough skill to cook a full course meal from scratch by the age of 9.  It was actually good, too! 

Why is important to you that your home be clean?

Personally, I can think  more clearly when my surroundings are clean and organized.  I want my husband to feel he’s reached a haven of calm when he gets home from a hard day’s work.   I know he’s proud of me and his “castle” when I keep it nice.  And it’s a really satisfying feeling that a guest could show up at anytime and I’m ready to receive them.
 
PS
RR, my MIL fits the description you gave.  My husband says he felt like a guest in a hotel all of his life until he married me.  His home was not nurturing or comforting, but sort of sterile and museum like.  His mom would freak out if there was ever any little thing like a picture frame out of place.  I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't witnessed it myself.  Not comforting at all. And isn't that what home is all about?
 

[ridgerunner]

Off Topic - Rainy, you're glad again!  Yeah!

OnTopic - Yep, keeping a clean home (IMO) really should be about comfort.  Comfort for your DH, children, and guests.   

[rainygladness]

Off Topic - Rainy, you're glad again!  Yeah! 

Didn't think anyone would notice!  Yes...a fleeting moment of indecision about shortening it came and went.  Glad I'm glad again, too.

[FarmWife]

I would have eaten off the floor in my Mom's house.  I am her only daughter, and I did not get that gene.  I have a very organized person living inside of me.  However, she is totally frustrated because it is not lived out right now in my home or life.  I get one area organized and neat and clean and then look around in horror at the rest. 

I got meningitis and it took a long time for me to regain my strength.  I watched my house spiral downward.   My dear sweet Michael has a full time job off the farm, farm work and then he was doing my stuff as well.  I was not going to complain.  I have never gotten back to where the house gets really deep cleaned.  That is sad, because I was sick 4 years ago.  You would think 4 years would be plenty of time.

I think I have let so many things get in the way.  Last year (calendar year) was a hard one for me in many ways.  It was a good one as well.  I gained a precious daughter-in-love.  I could list all the bad things, but the point is I think I have been wading in the edges of the slough of despond.  Now, it is hard to get out and get back in the game, because it looks like the odds are stacked against me.   

I need to get back on Flylady and see if I can gain some ground.  You do feel better with a clean home.  You do feel more inclined to hospitality.  I also think it makes others feel more at home in your home. 

[HappyWifey]

Well I wasn't able to get a post up on cleaning like I wanted, still sometime soon hopefully! But I have been able to update the blog somewhat every now and then as winter has closed in and things have slowed down for me!

[GarlicMomma]

To me - some of the benefits/observations of keeping a clean and tidy home:

a. It should be clean, but lived in. I live here. Iwant myself, my family, and my guests to feel welcome. Touch!
b. Orderliness and clean can reduce the number of bugs and varmints. Some areas of the country are hard enough to combat these critters, but extra dirt and clutter makes it almost impossible to eradicate.
c. Safety - no broken items, etc. I am already clutzy as it is with a daughter who tends that direction already; don't need any help for injury.
d. Finding all the pieces to the item/game/puzzle/tool, etc is refreshing to me.
e. Comfortable - aah. Plunk myself down to sleep.
f. No need to rearrange piles of stuff just to get anything done or someone to sit.
g. Disease lowered - I think it lowers the risks of infections and allergies for my family. For example, I tend to get a bad reaction to poison ivy, even if it is someone else's clothing when I do the wash. If I keep the wash up to speed, the poison ivy clothing can be in the washing machine sooner and less likely to spread the oil onto something else.
h. Disorder tends to produce lack of accomplishment, waste of time, and increase of expense in our home.
i. I think keeping an orderly home trains my family to work well for a future career. It keeps them more mindful of their surroundings and how to be a help to others. Some childen are better suited than others at different ages.

 

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