Just cant get caught up...

I moved while i was 6 1/2 months pregnant with this set of twins, and of course wasnt supposed to do much....so couldnt fully unpack and things just got stacked wherever my dad could put them....Then i have the c section, so once again cant lift alot. Im finally able to lift, move, run, w/e and just cant for the life of me find time to do it....
My laundry is piled 4 miles high, dishes are stacking up....my house looks like a tornado has ramsacked it. I finally got the oldest twins room clean for them to destroy it 10 minutes later...I just cant get caught up and i go bk to work in 2 weeks....
I dont know what to do!!

Any ideas on how to get some time to catch up???

 

No advice, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. You pretty much summed up my life over the last few months, including the moving at 6 months preggo. Today was the first time I have even had a chance to go in the nursery and begin to sort through things. I have tried not to worry too much about it, and just do things as I get the time (which obviously isn't very often).

 

I cant even get caught up because when it seem slike i do... theres more to do.. Always. I have kinda given up on DD's room. And i am trying to get the nursary done for the twins. I dont have time either.

Im sorry!!! Maybe someone can watch the babies for a day? Maybe a friend can come over and help you clean?

:hug99: :hug99: :hug99:

ETA: I moved at 6 months preggo also.

 

Im noticing a trend here....moving at 6 months preggo with twins is NOT a good idea...

 

Um...2 sets of twins in 2 years and a single mom? I'd say you're doing plenty. I know the house must feel overwhelming. I have no idea how you're doing it. I certainly won't be complaining today after reading this! Here's what I do when I'm totally overwhelmed:

I make 4 lists, one is titled 15 minutes or less, the other 30 minutes or less, then 1 hour or less, then 1 hour or more. I list every task under the appropriate amount of time. If I have tons of laundry I list it 3 or 4 times under the 15 minutes or less category. This helps me because my girls are still so unpredictable that I never know when I'm going to have 15 minutes or an hour...depends on their nap and when I have help. As soon as I do get a window of time I pick something from the list that matches the amount of time I have and do it. It looks a little something like this:

15 minutes or less:

Load and fold laundry
Load and fold laundry
Load and fold laundry (listed 3 times because I have 3 loads)
Make a grocery list
Clean spare bathroom
Make lunches for school

30 minutes or less:

Purge 3 month clothes
Change all sheets
Vacuum and mop

1 hour or less:

Grocery shop


etc. etc.....you get the idea. It just helps me to see things in manageable chunks.

Also, I find that the babies are entertained if I am talking and moving a lot while they are up. So sometimes I play loud music and I tell myself in the next 3 songs I will unload the dishwasher, wipe down the counters and take out the recycling. Then I put the babies in their bouncies and let them watch me. I dance around the kitchen unloading the dishwasher and showing them each piece and saying "Dinner plate" etc. etc. that helps too.

Best wishes. I wish I lived closer to you - I'd come over and help.

 

for older kids use baskets or what i use is the collapsable laudery bags that can stand upright on their own. get several and use them as containers in their rooms. i have one in daughters room and its full of stuffed animals and other stuff. everything is thrown into those type of things then no mess on plooor and its easiy to have it all organized. ie ea basket is for different catagory. and if its not in basket and left on floor overnight then they must not want it and should be taken away and can be earned back. (rule in our house) anywho good luck!

 

I never thought of breaking it down into a list like that!! Im going to try it!! Thanks!!!

On top of the 2 yr olds toy organizers that came with their bed sets, i have them each two of those collapsable laundry baskets, and then one of those big plastic round tote things that i keep mis. toys in./....or try to anyways...It just never seems to stay full....Do you think they are old enough to understand the taking away?????

As for a friend, really the only friends i still have are online friends on mommy boards...and then one i met on huggies message board in fort cambell. I have two people that i talk to in madisonville, but one is a single mother of one, and i wouldnt trust five seconds with my kids and the other has four kids of her own including a set of twins...So ireally dont have anyone to come over and help. And i dont ask my mother because shes babysits while im at work since i cant get them into daycare and cant afford a nanny right now.

I just really wish i could get everything caught up before i go back to work.

 

Try Flylady.com her site is good for long term results. She helps you do things in different rooms of the house each day of the week. Your house won't get clean over night but Flylady will help you downsize unwanted things, unneeded things, and trash what isn't worth giving away. She starts you out with cleaning your dishes and shining your sink. You will do this at least 2 times per day even if nothing else gets done. This is to help you establish a good habit and of course to help you feel good about yourself doing something and finishing it! It takes about 28 days to get a good habit established to where it is a routine for you even if you are not thinking about doing it. Flylady also helps you organize your house! I hope that she can help you!

I have been doing Flylady's tips and suggestions for 3 years now. I have given soooo much away and downsized things that I didn't think I could live without. I have to admit I was wrong! I can live without it all!

Lots of love!
Meshell

 

Sounds like my life! lol...I wish I could offer you some advice, but all I can offer is (((HUGS))) Two sets of twins so close together and being a single mom at that?! Whew...You certainly are a strong woman! I wish you the best of luck in figuring things out. It'll sort itself out in time I'm sure. You've got your hands full...As for laundry and dishes, it's not so important. Though I am going to give flylady.com a good look as well and see what's it all about! Again, good luck!

 

You really do have your hands full and I say kudos to you for just getting up in the morning and taking care of everyone ---please be sure to take care of yourself.

Just one little hint, DH and I have used paper plates and plastic cups since the day we came home from the hospital. It is kind of funny because our parents tend to be put out by the fact that they can't use fancy plates or glasses when they come for a visit but we love it! We started using them in the beginning because we have granite counter tops and the plates and glasses made so much noise on the countertops (the babies were sleeping downstairs in their swings at that point). The babies (8 mos now) have long since moved upstairs into their own rooms and cribs but we continue to use the paper. Not so great for the environment but great for our sanity!

Amy

 

You're 22, w/two sets of twins and a single mom and you manage to get through the day? STAND UP AND DO THE HAPPY DANCE!! Woman, you are AMAZING!!!!

So - maybe a reframing of what 'getting caught up' means. I know that i have only one set of twins and a husband - and ten months later my house still frequently looks like a tornado hit it and i'm totally wiped out so i don't know how you're coping. In terms of the 2 year olds; perhaps at the end of the day you can have a special Five Minute Game: who can pick up the most toys and put them in the box, or something like that, and they get some kind of treat (maybe stickers, not sugar, cause you don't want thembouncing off the walls!)....

I'm still working on how to simplify laundry, etc, and one of the things i've decided is taht moving forward i'm only going to buy/keep clothes that all match - taht way i don't have to think or worry about really folding and organizing; maybe just get some big bins and do a separate one for onesies, shirts, pants, etc.. NOt sure if it will work but i'm toying with the idea.

Accept that your house will probably be a mess and learn to embrace it. Pick ONE PLACE that is neat and clean for your own sanity, and make sure you spend a few minutes creating that haven for yourself.

See what you can dump to de=clutter. I just cleaned out my closet and donated FIVE BAGS of clothes; man my whole world would have been much neater these last three years w/out all that stuff!

anyway, no great advice, just complete admiration for what you're handling. Do you belong to a church? Might there be some people who are willing to help? I used to be embarrassed by what a mess my house was, then i realized "um, i'm taking care of TWO babies here, i have no time for neat", and people were willing to come and literally fold laundry or do dishes. I got over the embarrassment and learned to ask for the help.

good luck!