Whether you're busy with small children, a job outside the home, or just plain need to up your home keeping skills, your assignment this week (should you choose to accept it) is to answer these two questions:
1. What one housekeeping chore makes your home feel cleaner and more relaxing to you?
2. What one housekeeping chore makes your home feel cleaner and more relaxing to your husband?Perhaps you're already know the answer to #1, but if you don't, consider it carefully this week. I know, for example, that having vacuumed and moped floors lifts my spirits and makes me feel more positive about my home. If you don't know the answer to #2, you could talk to your husband about it. He may or may not be able to answer, because sometimes things like this are more subconscious than conscious. So think back to the times your husband has complemented you on your housekeeping. (Hopefully he's done this at least a few times.) Can you determine what makes him feel more positive about the house? For my hubby, lack of clutter makes a big difference. Once you've answered questions #1 and #2, it's time to move them to the very top of your to-do list. Consider them your "Feel Good Chores" - the chores that make your home a more pleasant place for you and your hubby. Even if these chores are among your least favorite, just knowing how much they lifts you or your husband's mood is a big motivator to get the job done. Also think about ways you can make the job easier. For cleaner floors, for example, you could consider buying a better mop, teach your children to always take off their shoes upon entering the house, invest in a robotic vacuum cleaner or floor mop, etc. Another trick is to try timing yourself. Sometimes jobs we put off all day really only take a few minutes to complete. Recognizing this makes it easier to tackle the project. Finally, consider whether the chore should get done every day, several times a week, or just once a week. Then write the chore on your calendar, accordingly. Naturally there are times when the chores just aren't going to get done. But do your best to stick to your schedule and always keep these chores at the top of your to-do list. Doing so will add order, peace, and contentment to your home - a major goal of any Proverbs 31 Woman.
Ha, ha! Since I'm up at 3:00 AM this morning cleaning my house, the answers are a little clearer. Clutter makes me feel as though I'm suffocating. For my husband, it's clean laundry. However, we both like a clean house all over, but as long as the main part of the house is clean, I can tolerate messy bedrooms, I just close the doors! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great tip. I didn't realize until just recently what my husband's top jobs were. Poor man suffered through years of marriage without anything he felt was a truly clean house!!
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's the kitchen and bathroom, specifically the countertops. If those rooms are clean, everything feels clean. For my husband, it's clutter. He can't stand my stacks of books or piles of paperwork. He HATES my craft area and the kids' playrooms. He needs everything put away out of sight.
We've compromised by designating specific areas for specific activities. I no longer do my scrapbooking in the dining room and the kids aren't allowed to leave toys in the living room. (Of course they can play there! But when they're done, the toys leave with them.)