6 Ways to Get Help with the Housework

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There are some women for whom the dream of an immaculate house is actually a reality. I am not one of those. Even before I had kids, I was an all or nothing kind of gal. I’d be spic and span in my homekeeping and then all of a sudden, life would take over, and I’d be buried in clutter. Every time I got my house in good shape, I’d take a picture, so I could remember what it looked like.

I kid. Sort of.

Since I knew that cleaning wasn’t my strong suit, even as a newlywed, I read. I read these books. I was able to handle it on my own for awhile. But, eventually, life caught up with me.

Remember last week when I said you can’t do it alone? Well, for me and maybe for you, that applies to housekeeping. Whether you are a mom or dad, grandmother or grandfather, if you’re managing a home and caring for a family, you might need some help with the housework.

Here are six ways to get help with the housework:

1. Teach your kids.

Kids today typically don’t have quite the amount of physical labor that our grandparents, or even we did. For most of us, there’s no wood to chop or fields to plow.

However, regular household chores are a life skill that few of us can escape. Kids can do chores. It’s good for them; it’s good for you. If you don’t already, include your kids in the housekeeping responsibilities.

2. Ask your spouse.

It’s possible that your spouse might not understand that you need or want help. Sure there are those who are oblivious to the workings of the household, but in my experience, he may not be helping out more because he can’t read your mind. Ask for help.

3. Organize a cleaning swap with your friends.

Years ago, my mom and her friends organized a cleaning swap. You know how it’s always more fun to clean someone else’s house? Well, they would take turns cleaning each other’s houses. The hostess would supply snacks and receive company and help while she cleaned her house.

6 Ways to Get Help with the Housework - No mom is an island. Here are 6 ways to get help with your housekeeping.

4. Enlist a professional cleaning service.

If it fits the budget, a professional cleaning service can be a great way to close the gap between what you can do and what you can’t.

5. Hire a mother’s helper.

If the pros aren’t in the budget, consider hiring a teenager to come help out. Fifteen years ago Beth came to my house a once a week to mop the floors and scrub the bathrooms. She enjoyed the extra money, definitely cheaper than a cleaning service, and I got much-needed help.

6. Simplify.

If you can’t afford to hire help, your kids are too little, your friends are unavailable, and your husband can’t help for whatever reason, then it’s time to simplify.

Decluttering may be in order. Are you spending too much time maintaining things that you don’t really need?

Alternatively, you may need to lower your standards for a season. If you can’t do it all, then figure out what you think really must be done. It probably isn’t everything. Shoot for general cleanliness and tidiness. Dusting and windows may need to take a back seat for a season.

These are strategies that I’ve used over the years to help me maintain our home in a way that makes us all comfortable. Having the messes cleaned up helps me think straight and do a better job caring for my family.

How do YOU manage housework at your house?

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8 Comments

  1. I finally figured out that “routines” make all the difference for keeping our house in order. Make beds as soon as we wake up, unload dishwasher right way in the morning, everyone loads their own dishes in all day long, put laundry away everyday before bed, sweep the kitchen floor… Ect. All of these things are chores, but its the practice of doing them every time, always following the same routine, that makes them become habits. Eventually, even the kids begin doing these without even thinking about them as chores. Our house it much cleaner, but even more importantly, it is much more peacefully and happy!

  2. I try to do it all myself and as a chronically disorganized person nothing ever get’s finished. I have 2 teen boy’s and my husband who say that is woman’s work and refuse to help. Their father thinks if he goes to work and comes home,then he has done his job.I am now decluttering and simplifying by getting rid of everything we do not absolutely need. My boys are high yield autistic and I have to direct them one step at a time for anything bigger than taking out the garbage or feeding the pets.When we get the income tax this year,hubby has agreed to let me hire someone to help me do a massive declutter and clean.

  3. Great post! I’m getting ready to have baby #5 and have had a ton of help from my husband & older kids because, well, I ASKED this time around! I can’t do it all alone & shouldn’t have too. It’s amazing how fast things can get done if I just ask. Still not perfect but I am a realist 😀

  4. When my dh was struggling with health problems, I hired a Mother’s helper. It was wonderful.

    We are still trying to figure out a system. That’s this week’s goal. 🙂

    My 6yo is so resistant to cleaning up his toys that I have to be strict about no media or play time until he picks up his toys/laundry/books, or our rooms look like a tornado has hit (not that it still doesn’t get that way in any given day, but on a smaller scale). Giving him additional responsibilities has helped, which surprised me. A friend suggested the idea that we give him more responsibilities, things to take ownership in. He was excited to be given his dad’s job of emptying the garbage (who’dathunk?), and he loves loading the washing machine.

  5. I am not tidy by nature, but I try to keep our home relatively clean and I focus on the big picture 🙂

    A while ago we bought a steam cleaner, which my husband likes to use a lot – boys and their tools 😉 So if you have trouble getting your spouse og boys to help, maybe investing in a gadget is a good idea!

  6. The kids and I do housecleaning in short spurts throughout the day- in the morning, before Dad comes home, and after supper. My husband also helps a lot. He really enjoys vacuuming and mopping. I’m blessed, I know. 🙂