There is this phrase in parenting: When..., then...
For instance: "When you put your toys away, then you may watch a video."
"When your teeth are brushed, then we can read stories."
And so on. It works like a charm on my girls. And apparently on me too!
Yesterday I wrote the must-dos for today and I have actually completed them already! I said to myself, "Self, when you dust, vacuum and get breakfast cleaned up and the dishes put away, then you may read and write blogs." Here it is, just 10:54am and the main level of the house has been dusted and vacuumed and the kitchen is clean!
Vacuuming is tricky with young children. The girls are fine now, but they used to be deathly afraid of what I call the "mommy vacuum". The "baby" vacuum is small, light and un-intimidating used on the hardwood floor in the kitchen. The "mommy vacuum" is this big-a$$, heavy and loud Dirt Devil used on the carpets.
When I use the baby vacuum, the baby is very interested and has to be carried so he doesn't chase it around. When I use the mommy vacuum, the baby is very afraid and has to be carried so that he doesn't scream and cry. It's too loud to use when he naps (which he refused to do this morning anyway), so I really get my exercise! Yes, moms to young babies please note: newborns will fall asleep and stay asleep as long as the vacuum is running. Older babies and toddlers may wake up to the noise and never go back to sleep as they typically fear loud noises and scream and scream and scream. At least mine.
Why must vacuums be as loud as airplanes? Does anyone have a powerful, yet quiet vacuum? One that works on pet hair, but won't alert the neighbors that I'm finally vacuuming? And how many times might I type vacuum or vacuuming in one post? I digress....
Way to get it done! I do the when and then thing all day long for myself. But it usually goes like this "when I...(put baby down, do dishes, finish laundry) then...I can have a beer/glass of wine".
ReplyDeletemotherhoodmusicandbeer.blogspot.com
Great idea - I need to find a way to motivate myself to do housework! Like "maybe when I do the dishes, then I can check my email" :).
ReplyDeleteI do not have a quiet vacuum, but I do have a solution for you. I started treating the vacuum like a game. My kids are 2 and 4 (and an infant) and I started "racing" them. If they "beat" me, then I reward them by vacuuming their tummies. They get all their toys off the floor while I vacuum the other rooms, and I use the wand to quickly poke at their tummies. It works like a charm; it takes something "scary" and turns it into something fun :)
ReplyDeleteI have a to do list everyday... but I don't ususally wait for my reward until after it is complete... if I did I wouldn't do anything fun until bedtime...
ReplyDeleteCarrie @ comfortedbyGod.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for posting on BlogFrog--now Im following your great blog! Funny you posted about a vacuum b/c I blogged about my vacuum today too. Have a great day!
I play little games with myself like that, too. I even use a timer, like a little kid: I'll clean the kitchen for 15 minutes, and then I can read blogs for 15 minutes. It really works on my little-kid brain. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the comments. I love comments! Serene, I have a little-kid brain too and need rewards! My 5pm reward is a glass of wine!
ReplyDeleteWe have the same problem...my 2 year old HATES the vacuum, yet he has a toy vacuum he loves...go figure!
ReplyDeleteHey, I like your "When...then"...that's a great way to motive yourself.
Following from Blog Frog, nice to meet ya! :-)
Ha, know what you mean though I don't have little ones around any more...used to be a foster parent but I did try to just use the vacuum and that's the way it was...worked sometimes, didn't others. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteOver visiting from BlogFrog. Love the look of your site. Awesome job!!
And if you want to visit my site, I'd love to "see" ya: http://digitalscrapbooklessons.com/articles with or without the articles part.
BlogFrog following you (feels like a stalker)! Look forward to reading your blog.
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Jess
My Dyson is pretty quiet actually. Love the "when / then" technique as well. :-) Very nice blog you have here!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Hump Day Hop! :-)
PS: Now following you! :-)
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing. I tell myself I'm not gonna get back on the computer until I finish cleaning the whole house but it never works that way. The bloggy temptation is too great! We have central vacuum now and it's pretty easy to use but does not have the sucking power needed to tackle all the doggie hair! I used to have a dog who would actually attack the vacuum when I was using it so I had to put him in another room! Found you on blogfrog and now your newest follower! :) http://bestillaminute.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI bargain with myself all the time - nice to know that I'm not the only one!
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Cate :-)
New follower from Blog Frog. Looking forward to reading more of your blog. Would love for you to visit me at Savings Corner (http://www.savingscorner.org)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hi, I'm on BlogFrog as well, and mostly hang out among the SITS Girls. I just noticed the other day how loud my vacuum cleaner is. It's even louder when I pull the little canister thing around and hit walls and stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis post brings back memories of when my seven year old was a toddler. He was so afraid of the vacuum that he would literally get hysterical. It's just another story that I will embarrass him with when he brings his girlfriend home years from now. Lol I'm passing by from Blog Frog and leaving my footprints. I would love to add you to my followers!
ReplyDeleteHi, I stopped by from BF. Looking forward to reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteCorbie
I used to have a Rainbow vacuum that seemed a lot more quieter than my new one. I am not sure why they have to be so loud lol
ReplyDeleteI am your new follower
Hiya! popping in from blogfrog! I have an Oreck - it isn't quiet but it works ;)
ReplyDeleteFollowing from Blog Frog! Great blog...I love your writing style!
ReplyDeleteI found you on blogfrog! Love you blog! Hope you follow mine too. :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://oneplusoneis3.blogspot.com/
this is so funny. I'm not a mom but mine and my sisters cats are deathly afraid of the dyson. we also have a roomba which one of them actually likes to sit and ride on. its pretty hilarious.
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