Momference: A Meeting of the Moms

We spend more hours at work than any other generation, leaving us less time for housework and leisure time. If you value leisure time over housework, then de-stressing household chores should become your priority.
And with children in the house, well, comedian Phyllis Diller said it best: “Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.”

Here are six tips to de-stress cleaning house, to give yourself more time for your family and yourself!

1. Delegate.
Don’t take on all housecleaning chores by yourself. Delegate weekly chores with a chart you make listing: person responsible, day of week, chore, reward. Adding a column for rewards is important to motivate you and your family toward success. In fact, think about what family restaurant outing or entertainment expense you believe is worth skipping to bring in a cleaning service once a month to give yourself a real vacation.

2. Spot clean each day. Get a bucket and fill it with a rag, cleaning fluid, paper towels and a scrub brush. Take it with you when you take a shower in the morning to spot clean (quick clean) as you go. Ditto with every room you visit each day. Spot cleaning each day prevents you from spending hours each week cleaning leftover messes. Then hide that bucket under the sink until the next day.

3. Choose a “clean sweep” day. On “clean sweep” day, whether it’s once a week or once a month, take your cleaning bucket from room to room and scour up. You can choose one room or two rooms per “clean sweep” day. Mark these days on your calendar to stay ahead of your mess.

4. Don’t be a maid to your things. If you have too much stuff to clean, get rid of some of your stuff. If you want to donate it, immediately put a box full of things to be donated inside your car trunk so the box doesn’t become one more thing to step over when you walk inside your door.

5. Integrate. Integrate pleasant or distracting activities into your house cleaning. While you fold clothes, watch a favorite show. Play dance music to energize you, and for the exercise as you go. Invite your children to describe their day while you clean the kitchen, and invite them to talk and help as you go.

6. Forgive yourself. Relax, because there’s no law against messy houses. If you are stressed-out, forgive yourself the chore of housecleaning. The mess will still be there tomorrow, but you’ll be in a better, calmer mood to attack it. If you get a surprise visit, laugh out loud about it. Laughter is contagious, and knowing not everyone is perfect (nor are their houses) is a refreshing break from the demands we place on ourselves and others.

____________________________________________

Ruth Klein, America’s trademarked De-Stress Diva, is a nationally renowned lifestyle and time management coach, best-selling author and consultant. With a master’s degree in clinical psychology, Ruth Klein has coached clients ranging from stay-at-home moms and working mothers to Fortune 500 executives on how to maximize their productivity, minimize their stress and enjoy a more rewarding life. She is the author of the book, “Time Management Secrets for Working Women,” which also will be the subject of an upcoming PBS Special.