How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

My granddaughter is 16 mos. old. She's a wonderful baby but my daughter is trying to figure out how to get everyday things done when she is awake and all over the place. Do you pen them in or still keep them in a pack n play while you get things done? Laundry, straightening up, getting yourself ready for the day, etc. She's climbing on the couch, or standing on toys and can't be left alone for more than a minute or two. She takes one nap a day, from around 2-4 or 4:30 but thats not enough time. Usually my daughter will eat lunch while she's napping, then make whatever phone calls, etc she has to do. She is just having trouble getting into a routine. My granddaughter sleeps till around 8:30-9 most days, and my daughter tends to take advantage of that by staying in bed too!

Message edited 3/21/2012 10:44:53 PM.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

When I was a SAHM, I always got up ahead of DS....some days by only 30 minutes just so I could easily shower & get dressed....other days an hour or more.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I get myself up and dressed before the kids get up. Usually I set the alarm and give myself an hour or so. If for some reason I am having trouble getting up, the first cry in the morning in my alarm clock and I jump ing the shower. I get showered/dressed and do my hair and make up fairly quickly and I now longer worry if my kids cry in the crib for a few minutes if I need to grab a shower. I always get my shower ( I need it.)

I also get the kids dressed right after they eat breakfast.

I straighten up throughout the day with the kids underfoot or within my line of vision. Wiping counters, sweeping, vacuuming, dusting. Some stuff has to wait until nap or bed time-laundry for example. No way any laundry would survive.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

DS is 17 months and I am trying to figure out the same thing lately !!! I take advantage that DS sleeps until 8 or so most days, although there are days that I am awake earlier that he is not. But that is ME time for a quiet cup of coffee or a peaceful breakfast that I don't have to share!!

When it comes to laundry I try to throw a load in before I get him out of his crib in the morning. When it is done and I have to put it in the dryer I have him help me pull out the wet clothes. When they are done drying I usually pull out the big things and let him "fold" the socks or tshirts.

While he is eating breakfast in his high chair I straighten up the kitchen, put dishes away and do any dishes that might be dirty.

DS takes one nap a day from about noon till 1:30/2. That's when I do the sweeping, mopping, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, etc. It's usually enough time to get one thing done, and a few little things for myself. At night, if there is something else I need to do, I get it done after DS goes to bed but before I sit down. Once I am sitting, I NEVER get up to do it !! lol

I don't have a set routine, I try to get done what needs to get done. Some days I feel a LOT more productive then others. I feel that at this age things are very difficult. They are running everywhere and need to keep occupied in order to stay out of trouble. They know how to listen, but don't want to. I hope in a few more months things will get easier again when he gets a little older.

Good luck to your daughter !!

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I get up early every day to start my day and have some peaceful time/time to get stuff done. I get a TON done while she's eating in her high chair. I bring her in the bathroom with me when I shower. I let her follow me around while i clean things, locking her in whatever room I do, ending that room with cleaning whatever mess she makes. I try my hardest to not do houswork during naptime.. that's me time.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I bring him with me and let him help when he can. He has his own broom and vacuum and will follow me around and help. If I have to feed the dogs, he will get their bowls for me and help me pour the food in. I bring him with me to to do laundry, but the folding has to wait until nap time. I shower either before he wakes up or after he goes to bed. I just bring him with me and let him play on my bed while I get dressed. He does have a closed in area where all of his toys are, bit we don't keep the door locked, so he can go in and out as he pleases. But I can get a lot done while he just plays in there and I just keep an eye on him.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

Showering at night makes my entire day go better on the days I'm home with the kids.

The rest of it - during nap or after bedtime. A few things I'll have them help with - they have a fake broom and vacuum, so they used to use that when I swept / vacuumed; I'd have them hand me an article of clothing at a time while I folded, etc.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I get up before she does to shower and get dressed and I always being the monitor in the bathroom with me! My dd is 19 months old and is a major climber as has no fears so don't trust her for a second! when I clean I bring her with me and let her help a little. When I cook I gate her in our living room and I can still see her from the kitchen.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I shower at night and do light stuff when she naps but my DD only naps once and only for an hour so I really don't have much time to do much. I really love all the cleaning on weekends when DH is home.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

Shower is at night along with most of the cleaning up. I also clean the kitchen while DS is eating in his highchair. The laundry machine is in a closet in his room so I have no choice but to do it during the day while he is awake. He plays with socks or toys near me while I fold.

I have to be honest, I never in a million years thought a cleaning lady would be necessary but that all changed and we now have someone come do a deep clean once a month. It's impossible to get it all done!

I usually try and nap during his nap time since its a very long day for us (DH doesnt get home until DS is asleep).

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I jump in the shower right after dh gets out and is getting ready for work. Then I get dressed and ready for the day.

I get her, dd is usually really good about hanging out in her crib while waiting for me to get her.

I speed clean during her naps. I clan up while we hang out in the morning. She watches Mickey for a little bit while I straighten up. I also try to include her in what I am doing. I give her the swiffer, or a paper towel and she helps.

The best thing, like this morning, was get up and swiffer before getting her. If dd she the swiffer she wants and then I can't get anything done. Sometimes it's ok but if I need to I have to.

I clean the kitchen while she eats and is strapped down in the high chair.

Most of the time dd is just following me around when I clean so I do it with her.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

usually during my son's nap. OR one of us will stay with him in the playroom or take him outside while the other one does things around the house/cleans/runs errands.

he is also old enough to be OK by himself in the playroom for short periods of time if I need to vacuum or tidy up.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I have twins one of which is a terrible napper so I cannot do much of anything until DH is around to watch them. Sorry I can't be more helpful. I'm up shiits creek myself!


Eta: I shower in the morning while DH is still around otherwise it would not be possible to shower at alll

Message edited 3/22/2012 10:14:41 AM.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I fit as much in during his nap. He is still napping 2+ hours in the afternoon so I can get a good amount done. I also do a huge cleaning on Sunday while DH is home and can watch the kids. That way all I have to do is spot cleaning during the week.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I do my cleaning and laundry during nap time and after he goes to bed. Unfortunately, I work f/t and still have to come home and cook and clean - it means that I dont get a break until 10:00pm most nights...but it seems its the only schedule that works for me or else housework wont get done.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

shower at night and do some light things before bed. then also have her help your daughter with things - this will get her attention, and she will probably have fun as well. also, i would recommend getting a baby carrier so she can wear dd and keep her close while still getting things done.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I get MOST of my things done at night after he is asleep. This is the only way I can quickly get things done. Otherwise, he would be behind me messing it up

I work full time - so in the mornings he stays in his crib with the TV on. Otherwise, it would take forever to get out the door.

It is hard to keep him penned in a certain area because he goes into a tantrum, so I just to distract him with something in the room I am in - brush if I need to clean the bathroom or a water bottle in the kitchen etc.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

Struggling with this myself, especially since I work freelance from home and also need to do work during her nap(s) (we're back and forth between 2 and 1 nap right now).

Here's what I typically do:
I have gates on both my kitchen entrances, so I keep her in there with me while I clean up after meals. I also run the vacuum in kitchen while she's in her high chair. Because our house is small and because of the the way in which it's set up, I can hit three rooms (Den, kitchen, and living room) all while keeping an eye on her.
I typically go to the gym in the morning (use the babysitting room), so I don't shower until later in the day. I'll grab a quick shower while she naps and let my hair air dry while I get to work or do other stuff around the house.
I'll throw in a load of laundry while she naps. I'll fold laundry and make the bed and what not with her underfoot. If she's running through the house, I'll just the close the door to the room we're in to keep her contained. DH is usually home to play with her while I make dinner. Otherwise, she plays in the kitchen or in our den (three steps down, but still visible from the kitchen). And then when she goes to bed, DH cleans the kitchen and we both do a quick straightening up of the entire house. We tend to do the heavy cleaning on the weekends.

BUT some days, like today, it looks like a bomb went off. I let her make a mess this morning and just dropped her off at MIL's so I can get some work done. If DH stopped home and saw the way I left the house, he'd probably call the cops, thinking we have been abducted!

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

My DD is 17months old..and does not like to be confined, shed much rather run free..lol. so that can make things tricky. If its something like washing bottles or doing dishes.. i pull her high chair over by me and do that kind of stuff during lunch or snack. showering..etc. i usually do at night when she's sleeping or if she's napping. for some stuff i take her with me around the house .. it takes a lot longer to get stuff done, but i can manage..other days it seems impossible.

Re: How do you get things done around the house with a toddler?

I have a 3 yr old and 19 month old. I get up before they do in the morning, shower, hair, make up and dressed. While they are eating breakfast, I'll empty the dishwasher, and do a quick vacuum, and throw a load of laundry in.

We are usually out of the house every day b 9:30-10:00 and home by lunch. I usually will eat lunch with them. After lunch, they play in the playroom (which is gated and right off the kitchen). While they play/watch TV, I clean up the kitchen from breakfast and lunch. They both go for a nap around 1-1:30. While they nap, I'll put he wash in the dryer and put another load in he washer if needed. Then it's MY TIME, or I'll get dinner cooked while hey nap, then I get about 1.5 hrs to myself. They are up by 4, dinner at 5-5:30, baths at 6:30, and they are both in bed no later than 7:30. That's when DH and I eat. While I watch TV I'll fold the laundry.

I'm fortunate tho, that I have my MIL here one day a week to just give me a break.