What's Working For Me

 -A kitchen timer-


Oh how I love my kitchen timer.  I usually set it for 15 minutes and work like a mad woman to get things done.  It's amazing the transformation that can happen in a quarter of an hour.

Yesterday I was feeling overwhelmed by the state of my house (I wish I had a picture) but perhaps you can paint one in your head.  Unfolded laundry on the dining room table, kids' craft stuff on the kitchen table, a dirty floor, random stuff pilfered throughout the living room, dirty dishes, cluttered counters, messy kids room.  Can you see it? 

"Girls, let's work hard for 15 minutes and see what we can get done."   There is strength in numbers...even if the help is from a 3 and 5 year old. 

I started in the kitchen, folded the laundry, came back to the kitchen and I still had 8 minutes to go!  Awesome!  So, I kept working.
     Living room- done. 
     Kitchen table and counters cleared- done
     Floors swept-done
 
When the timer went off I felt so much better!  The girls worked hard too.  I didn't bother to tell them that the time was up because they were still woking hard.  After about 5 addtional minutes Halley said enthusiastically, "Mommy, we beat the timer!"  LOL

A few months ago, I started cleaning in 15 minute spurts but got away from it.  I would start in one room and work for 15 minutes then move to another for 15 minutes, then I'd take a 10 minute break.  After the break, if the first room wasn't finished, I would return to it.

 It was important to me to work between 2 rooms so that I wouldn't get bogged down and overwhelmed.  I feel like I can do anything for 15 minutes and I love savoring my breaks. 

This method of cleaning definetly works for me. 

Photo credit

Works for ME!!!

Halley is such a servant. She loves to "help" me. Yes, it takes longer for me to get the task accomplished, but it's definetly worth it to see the joy that she recieves from helping. She likes to vacuum, dust, wash clothes, and carry stuff to their designated rooms. You would think she would be worn out by the time Eddie gets home. However, as soon as she hears the alarm chime from her dad walking in the door and she rushes to greet them. He carries her to the den and she begins to serve. She helps him take of his shirt, socks, and shoes. And then she carries all of it to his closet or lays it on the bed! She's the best free help we've ever had. Check out this cute video.





For more ideas, visit "Works for Me Wednesday" at Rocks in My Dryer.