Mom to Mom with Serese Cole, July 1

Home · KOLNKGIN.com · Recipes · Schools · Recalls · Childcare · Licensing Index · WebMD

Save

Lincoln, Neb.
Posted: 4:26 PM Jul 1, 2008
Last Updated: 4:38 PM Jul 1, 2008
Reporter: Serese Cole
Email Address: serese.cole@kolnkgin.com

9 comments

A | A | A

Whose House is this?

I have to tell you, I am having such a good time with my boys. Tyler and I just got done playing basketball with his new goal (he’s actually pretty good) while Jordan is napping.

But after playtime was over, I looked around and wondered. "What happened to my house?" There’s dust on my glass tables (I've never let it get this bad), clothes on my bedroom floor and toys just about everywhere. How did this happen?

And it's just not today. This has been going on for a while. But when I try to clean up -- somebody cries or needs to eat or wants to go outside -- and I just can’t seem to get to cleaning. And to be honest, I'm not sure if I want to. I know how precious this time is at home with my children and I’m just not sure I want to look back on it and say -- I wish had done this or that, but I couldn't get to it because I needed to keep a tidy house.

It is strange though because some would consider me a neat freak. I have always been the type that believed everything has a place. In fact, I use to be such a clean fanatic that I would have to have lines on the carpet from vacuuming. These last few weeks have been quite a change

There are some things I don’t skimp on like the bathrooms and kitchen, but all those other rooms -- I’ve decided not to stress about. I'll get to it when I can. I believe Todd has noticed my cleaning challenge. He hasn't said anything, but I know he has to be wondering what's going on. He’s even filling in the void I've suddenly left. After I came home from a walk with the boys this weekend, I noticed he had cleaned our room, done a few loads of laundry and straightened up the basement.

I'm sure once I get back to work - I'll be back to my old self again, but it is nice not worrying so much about every little thing. But if my dad comes to visit for the 4th, I may have to break down and spruce up the place like old times.

Here’s the latest on the kids...

Jordan is actually sleeping until around four in the morning! YES! He wakes up for a feeding and lately has been going back to sleep. This is fairly new, but I hope it lasts. He’s also doing a lot more cooing and smiling. It’s the cutest thing ever! And I love when he looks at me and smiles -- it really does melt my heart.

Tyler is busy as ever. All he wants to do nowadays is to go outside. And no matter how long we stay out, it's never long enough. He’s still warming up to Jordan although he mostly just ignores him, even if Jordan is crying. Before he goes to bed though, he always wants to kiss his brother goodnight. We decided to hold off on the potty training for now (I think we’re just stalling).

As for the house -- I’m sure there will be cleaner days ahead - right?

So how do balance keeping your kids happy and your house clean?

I’m anxious to know your secret, and can’t wait to hear from you.

Until next time ... Take care!

More Stories
Mom to Mom with Serese Cole, Oct. 5

Mom to Mom with Serese Cole, Sept. 28

Emotional Toll of Child Abandonment

Mom to Mom with Serese Cole, Sept 21

Mom to Mom with Serese Cole September 08, 2008

Mom to Mom with Serese Cole, Sept. 2

Mom to Mom with Serese Cole, Aug. 21

Mom to Mom with Serese Cole, Aug. 14

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Karen Location: Friend on Jul 6, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Hi Serese, Enjoy the boys while you canand the house work will be there when you get to it. It will all work out for you.Your hubby can help and things will be fine. GOOD Luck. LOve hearing about your family. Karen

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 5, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Serese, I too am a mother of two boys, Derek is 26 months and Devon is 4 months. I am also a Special Education teacher so my days and plenty full. I too find myself looking around my house often in anxiety because it is not the house my mother kept (she was a stay at home mom and nothing was ever left out of place) My house looks like a tornado hit...but then I stop and look at my boys and I know that when I am on my death bed, I will never wish that I did a few more dishes or did a few more loads of laundry...so with that in mind I always put the kids first (playing outside, doing puzzles....playing pretend) because the chores will always be there waiting, but thier childhood is disappearing and I don't want to miss a precious second!

Posted by: Jeannie Location: Lincoln on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Treasure your time with your boys while they are young. It won't be long and you'll look back at their pictures with surprise at how much they have grown and how cute they were as infants and toddlers as they grow into young men. My boys are 15 and 13 and it has gone so quickly. I know I only have a few precious years left with them before they are adults on their own. Enjoy today with your little ones and realize that having a messy house and toys everywhere is just part of having kids. They start to grow up and need you less. Your house will eventually stay clean a little longer. It's far in your future but they will one day be all grown up and your house will be clean and quiet and you'll miss the days you are currently having. Enjoy every day and soak it up. Always make the time to play and don't let all the "important" stuff be more important than time with the kids and your husband and the bond you will share in raising your children and juggling it all. God Bless!

Posted by: Angie Location: Lincoln on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:33 PM
There is no secret...your kids come first! I am a stay at home mom full-time, and like you I am a neat freak, with everything in its place. But when summer comes and the kids want to be outside, then things stop getting done, and I deal with it when I can. I do keep up with laundry(every Monday), the kitchen and bathrooms. Clutter gets picked up after the kids are in bed, bills get paid during naps, and dusting and vacuuming...well, I do them when I can! The basement, where most of the toys are rarely gets completely picked up..why bother, the kids will just mess it up again!! My husband is also a big help..taking the kids outside in the evening or for walks. Just enjoy being home...clean when your dad comes, then forget it!!

Posted by: Sherry Location: Lincoln on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:03 PM
You are right. Kids grow soooo fast. If you blink, they are suddenly all grown up. Cherish the times now. Find time for Tyler will help with his adjustment. You will also be surprised how much he can help by making chores fun like already suggested with making a game out of things. He can help dust while you vacuum. Also, husbands can help. Keeping things handy can also help with cleaning. For example, keep supplies in bathroom so when you are doing other things in there, you can clean the sink & toilet in just a few minutes. What worked for me with 3 small kids was to focus on a room a day. That way it is not so much to do all at once. Also, when kids are napping it is easier to clean because they are not underfoot. Remember that you need rest too to recover. Giving birth is hard work. Also, a little dust won't hurt anyone.

Posted by: Laurie Location: Lincoln on Jul 2, 2008 at 10:13 AM
What I have tried to do is about half an hour or so before bedtime is to have the kids help with picking up the toys (when they are old enough to help with it) and make a game out of it or sing a clean up song. The song may go something like this clean up clean up everything, everywhere and repeat it over and over until the toys are picked up and sing it every time you pick up toys and sing it to any tune you want or create your own tune or song. I have also found that after I put my kids to bed, which is usually around 8 pm; I pick a couple nights out of the week and clean my house even if it is nothing more than vacuum the carpets, load the dishwasher, scrub the floors, clean the bathrooms and sort laundry for washing the next evening or day. I even pick a night that is just for me; play on the computer or maybe watch some TV or even just eat a snack without being interrupted. But you have to find what works best for you and your schedule

Posted by: Kathy Location: Lincoln on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Keep the clean-up fun. Keep clean what you have to. The kitchen, bathrooms and laundry. Pick up toys as they move on to the next toys. Have your older child help with this. I call them back and together we put it in the binOtherwise if you leave everything for you to clean up at the end of the day it is just too much. My 9 yr old washes dishes with daddy while I put the 3 yr old to bed. Daddy and the 9 yr old also pick up any last remaining toys at this time too. I also have the kids help with as many chores as possible. Helping wipe counters, taking out trash, dusting, vaccuuming. But it has been very difficult for my husband and I are neat freaks too. But one can only do so much unless one can hire out for cleaing. I try to teach the girls to put things back where they go as much as we can so that we can find them later. But spend that time with the kids, for they will remember you doing that. They won't rmemeber how often you mopped the floor. (As long as it doesn't become awful ;)

Posted by: Carol Location: Crete on Jul 1, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Dear Serese, As a mother of 3, step-mother of 6, and grandmother of 11, I totally understand your dilema about balancing work, home and spending quality time with your precious boys. If I could redo my years of raising children, I would have cleaned less, played more. They truly grow up so fast, don't waste precious beautiful days outside watching your boys discover this great world we live in. Trust me, after they grow up and move away, the dust still continues to accumulate. If possible, find a trustworthy person to come in every week to do the basic cleaning. I worked full time for 26 years while raising 6 of the 9 kids, and put cleaning ahead of going to golf meets, basketball games, etc. You can't rewind your life. Give up going out for dinner twice a month and have someone come in to clean. I know money is tight with having two babies in diapers, groceries, etc. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck and your little boys are beautiful.

Posted by: Sharon Location: Lincoln on Jul 1, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Good Luck Serese. I am a grandma now, but at one time I had 3 boys and a girl under 5 yrs of age. I found it easier to go to bed early, clean in the middle of the night. Naptime was a good 1 for cleaning too. Don't expect perfection, but there is always hire a teen to help watch the boys. Then you can clean, or hire a cleaner!