Need time managment help

Hire a cleaning service, LOL! No really, I'm terrible with time management but I try cleaning while DD is eating lunch, taking a nap, etc. It all doesn't get done when I'd like but my house isn't filthy either. 

Quoting bbmkfo03:

Hire a cleaning service, LOL! No really, I'm terrible with time management but I try cleaning while DD is eating lunch, taking a nap, etc. It all doesn't get done when I'd like but my house isn't filthy either. 

I understand that! I at least make sure dishes make it into the dishwasher & toys are off the floor (my 3 year old is in charge of cleaning up after herself) before I go to bed. I also have a dog & cat that shed so I have to vacuum daily. Other than that, sometimes I just have let some things go.

Quoting armybratmom612:

I have so seriously thought about it it's of funny. I'm pretty OCD so it's pointless. I can't bring myself to allow someone in my home unless it's clean including the cleaning team! Last time I tried I ended up pulling an all night er and ended up canceling because already cleaned it. Since then I never tried again. My house isn't nasty but I am never happy and never able to relax withhow it is

Quoting bbmkfo03:

Hire a cleaning service, LOL! No really, I'm terrible with time management but I try cleaning while DD is eating lunch, taking a nap, etc. It all doesn't get done when I'd like but my house isn't filthy either. 

Are you married?  If you are then ask your husband to start pitching in caring for the kids, they are his too.  He was there to help make them, he can help take care of them, he can also do the yard work.  Next make a list of what has to be done and what can wait.  When it comest o putting laundry away, the three girls can do their own...if you're not really particular about how things go into the drawers, what you fold might not wind up folded ij drawersbut with practice they will evetually.  Also designate areas where the kids can keep theyr toys outl and pick up later as part of the bedtime routines.  

That is a LOT for one person to have on her plate!  I'm pretty good with schedules, but honestly, with 4 kids under 6, homeschooling and household chores, I would pay the $50 a month for a gardner.  It's not worth the $12/wk for you to have to do that on top of everything else.

I would also suggest keeping lysol wipes handy in every room because they can help keep things from getting ahead of you.  Just wipe things down as you go about your day to make maintaining easier.  Your 6 and 4 year olds can be big helpers and pick up toys and stuff to put into a bin for you.  Get rid of any knick-knacks and stuff like that for now.  You can box them up.  It will save you time to have your surfaces clear of stuff when you have to dust or wipe.  Pick a room a day to do your deep-cleaning (or one day to do both bathrooms, and one day to do your family room and kitchen), and other than basic maintenance don't try to do more.  Expecting perfection from yourself is unrealistic.  Your happiness and the happiness of your kids is more important.  Clean when your young ones nap and your older is doing school.  Also, get your kids out to play whenever possible, because your house will stay cleaner, and your kids will be more tired when you come home!  Bathe them together.  And if your dh is not home because he works long hours or is deployed, then make sure you trade babysitting with another mom at least once a week for a couple hours so you can have a little break!

Quoting CoeyG:

Are you married?  If you are then ask your husband to start pitching in caring for the kids, they are his too.  He was there to help make them, he can help take care of them, he can also do the yard work.  Next make a list of what has to be done and what can wait.  When it comest o putting laundry away, the three girls can do their own...if you're not really particular about how things go into the drawers, what you fold might not wind up folded ij drawersbut with practice they will evetually.  Also designate areas where the kids can keep theyr toys outl and pick up later as part of the bedtime routines.  

Quoting DarlaHood:

That is a LOT for one person to have on her plate!  I'm pretty good with schedules, but honestly, with 4 kids under 6, homeschooling and household chores, I would pay the $50 a month for a gardner.  It's not worth the $12/wk for you to have to do that on top of everything else.

I would also suggest keeping lysol wipes handy in every room because they can help keep things from getting ahead of you.  Just wipe things down as you go about your day to make maintaining easier.  Your 6 and 4 year olds can be big helpers and pick up toys and stuff to put into a bin for you.  Get rid of any knick-knacks and stuff like that for now.  You can box them up.  It will save you time to have your surfaces clear of stuff when you have to dust or wipe.  Pick a room a day to do your deep-cleaning (or one day to do both bathrooms, and one day to do your family room and kitchen), and other than basic maintenance don't try to do more.  Expecting perfection from yourself is unrealistic.  Your happiness and the happiness of your kids is more important.  Clean when your young ones nap and your older is doing school.  Also, get your kids out to play whenever possible, because your house will stay cleaner, and your kids will be more tired when you come home!  Bathe them together.  And if your dh is not home because he works long hours or is deployed, then make sure you trade babysitting with another mom at least once a week for a couple hours so you can have a little break!

If someone to help deep clean is in your budget, you could use the help.  Even if there's a friend you could trade tasks with and something you could do for that friend in return.  If you can keep stuff picked up and put away after each use (yes, I did see how old your kids are, but most of them can start learning to at least pick up what they get out), then that will make it a little easier to get to the big things like wiping down the bathroom or vaccuming.

That can be overwhelming!  I have four girls and a boy at home too, but they are all old enough to be able to start picking up their messes and helping with the basics, so it's not as tough as your house must be right now.

*hugs* mama!  If you cannot afford or find someone to barter with to help get your house clean, then my advice is take it a little at a time.  Even 15 minutes can make an inroad.  The FLYlady has some great tips for getting started, and for continuing with small missions that keep you going.

She starts out with BabySteps. You can have daily email "FLYing lessons" sent to you, and there's even a "Kids' Challenge".

http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/ 

http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/babysteps/

http://www.flylady.net/d/back-to-basics/

http://flylady.net/c/flykids.php?tzm=360 

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Quoting armybratmom612:

He works insane long hours with only Sunday off then Sunday is when he has his college class so for the time being I'm mainly on my own. I will try to have the kids help a bit more

Quoting CoeyG:

Are you married?  If you are then ask your husband to start pitching in caring for the kids, they are his too.  He was there to help make them, he can help take care of them, he can also do the yard work.  Next make a list of what has to be done and what can wait.  When it comest o putting laundry away, the three girls can do their own...if you're not really particular about how things go into the drawers, what you fold might not wind up folded ij drawersbut with practice they will evetually.  Also designate areas where the kids can keep theyr toys outl and pick up later as part of the bedtime routines.  

As a sahm you work insanely long hours as well.  In everything you listed there was not mention of sitting on your ass eating bon bons.  Your husband needs to help out as well., or else by overstressing you and overworking you he could be doing it all on his own plus working outside the home while you wind up in the hospital overworked.  Might I suggest advertising for a "Mother's Helper" maybe a high schooler or college student looking to make a few bucks.  Have them come in a couple of hours a day to help out.  

I agree with others here that you need help.  This isn't just a time management issue, it is a way too much work issue.  Someone else needs to do the yard work, kids need to have clear rules about picking up clothes, toys, etc.  I had four children between  infancy and six years also, and I know how hard that is.  We had what we called the "fink basket" (why fink?  I have no idea but it worked).  Anyhow, they were supposed to gather everything and put it in the basket before going to bed.  Anything left out was confiscated and put aside for some period of time.  Even your three year old can do this much.  Clearing the table after meals involved "scrape your plate and something extra".  This probably is a bit much for the three year old, but ages 4 & 6 can certainly do this.  Each one clears their own table setting and puts away one extra thing--not a bad philosophy for life!  Six year olds can also tidy up their bed in the morning.  It may not look much like hospital corners efficiency, but it is a start.  As they got older each child had other specific chores to do, and we often did them together on Saturday mornings.  You really need all the help you can get here, especially since you are also home schooling