Do you have a "drop by anytime" house? - Page 2

MusicMouseTN · 08-30-2006, 04:00 PM

Something I learned when I was on bedrest, and was at home all the time with my special needs son - when people dropped by to visit, they usually were dropping by to visit me and my family - not inspect my home. I used to be VERY worried about it - apologized ALL the time for the condition. But finally realized that if they had a problem with the way things were at my house, they did not have to "drop by" again! It's our home - and even though there are things I am working on to improve, it's OUR home! People are welcome anytime - just be prepared for whatever mess they may find!

It's clean - but usually messy! What can I say - we have a lived-in home! Not a "model home"! :d

Happymom · 08-30-2006, 04:07 PM

Our house is NEVER drop by clean. But if you are going to drop by my house, you just have to know that it the way it will be, because I am not going to stress over it!

debellafunk · 08-30-2006, 04:08 PM

in our hosue everything I mean everything has a spot and that is where it goes 2 times a day. I pick up durning nap time and then after my dd goes to bed. That way it doesn't get out of hand. Also I will go a quick run threw when pepole are in the drive way or usually they call right before stopping by.

Christy · 08-30-2006, 07:25 PM

Living on base has made me painfully aware at how easy it is to quickly have "instant" friends and playdates for the boys. So because of that, immediately following breakfast the dishwasher is loaded, the counters, tables and chairs are wiped down, the living room vacumed....every day!!!

My bathrooms are on a once weekly wipe down. The boys rooms are done twice a week. Laundry days are Tuesdays and Thursdays (if needed) when the boys are in school. So I try to not have anyone here those days!!!

angel4la · 08-30-2006, 07:35 PM

My home is drop by ready USUALLY.Unless it's dinner time,Then no.With 5 boys and my dh,it gets messy at that time.

perfect4ofus · 08-30-2006, 10:06 PM

My old house was drop in ready. Spotless, it felt great! It was also newly remodeled and that had a lot to do with it. We designed it around us! This house is older and I just can't find that place for everything like I had before. I am making a huge effort to find a place for everything here and it's becomming more and more drop in ready where I'm honestly relaxed! Has anyone noticed that after a day of exhaustion and chaos THAT'S when people drop in??? I can keep a spotless house for a month and the one day I am at work and the house explodes when dad is home is when people drop in. Right when I get home from work. I HATE that

I do find myself feeling less than confident about our house. We are renovating it a little at a time and like I said I'm used to a finished house. That means this one always feels like it's a work in progress, not done and not "buttoned" up like I like. it lacks that polished look that I'm used to. I do like a call though before guests so that I can have a snack ready or beverages or something. I like to make fresh banana bread or something special since it's a little bit out of the way.

momof4 · 09-01-2006, 11:26 PM

my house is usually drop in ready except when people decide to drop in!! I'm a fanatic about everything being put away and everything has it's own place...but I'm the only one who thinks that in my household. But to get help around the house when the kids are home...I just tell them that I won't be embarrassed by "their" messes...if they want their friends to see that they are slobs...then that's a reflection on them not me...most of the time it works.

But clutter stresses me out, even when nobody is here...when they leave for school in the morning...I usually take about 45 minutes to straighten up, that includes picking up toys that were left out...making beds...wiping down bathrooms...etc..dusting gets done once a week, vaccuuming done daily or every other day, and everything else as needed.

Jodie · 09-01-2006, 11:31 PM

My house is NEVER EVER drop in ready. There's always unfolded laundry laying somewhere in the house, toys everywhere, the counters are covered and sometimes i forget to clean up the boys bathroom. Sooooooooooo nooooooooooooooooo my house is usually a mess.

However i do have to say i am better than i used to be. :D

momma2boys · 09-02-2006, 01:35 AM

Yep, if you don't mind toys all over the floor, dishes in the sink, Laundry scattered on laundry days, and my kids running around in their underwear/diaper. It's always clean, just not always tidy.

merandmalmom · 09-05-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottie

I keep the main rooms in our house drop in ready and the rest are ok, but not pristine. I would never open a closet for a guest. My mom told me when I was struggling with housekeeping that the key is to put your house to bed each night. She raised 7 kids and it was always a circus, but never a mess. It also helps for everything to have a place. I know that's hard, especially when you are growing out of your house, but I purge regularly and try to keep on top of the constant flow of paper.

Each night when I do the dishes, my husband bathes the kids, and I put the house to bed. The kids pick up their toys, I wipe down tables that are sticky/dirty, and put everything back where it belongs. Then in the morning, I unload dishwasher, make beds and wipe down the bathroom. We have a playroom which helps a bunch. Toys stay in the playroom and I never apologize for toys being out in the playroom.

I think this is kind of scattered, but I hope this helps.

I love the idea of 'putting the house to bed'!

Nope, my house is usually not drop by ready. Most of the time, I wouldn't die of embarassment but there have been a few times I almost died!