How do you keep a clean house?
Saturday, January 28th, 2006
Clean house? To be honest, having a dozen or so kids in the house makes messes very quick. However, we believe that a dozen kids can clean the house just as fast. Here’s what we do to utilize the man power at the Jeub home.
“Two-minute clean ups” are quite popular around here. The parent will set the timer for two minutes and start it with a “go!” Kids will run everywhere trying to find things to put away. The parent simply monitors how fast and efficient everyone is. When the two minutes are up, the kids line up and wait for the parent to call off who the “fastest” kid was. They get to sit out for the next two minutes. This naturally motivates everyone to move fast, and cleaning a disaster of a house can take less than 10 minutes sometimes.
January 28th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Wow!!! I like this idea. I think I might just give it a try. This is the area in our home which always seems to take so long. Thanks for the Tip.
We will tune in to watch you tomorrow. As my kids call you the “Cowboy Family.”
May 11th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I’ll have to try that sometime!I have 14 kids and all of them live at home.Even though the oldest is 18.I think my kids would enjoy this.I’ll try it!Thanks,Donna
May 21st, 2007 at 1:24 am
This is so funny! It must work too! I think we’re all giving ear to whatever advice you all have to offer. Lots of wisdom from the two of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
August 5th, 2007 at 2:19 am
So, that’s how I get a clean house? Give birth to a bunch of little soilders that I can blow whistles at and tell “stop” and “go” at my every whim?
I knew there was little magic to this “working”. It’s just a matter of giving birth to enough “manpower”.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Hey Wendy, that sounded like someone with no children. They certainly make many more messes than they ever clean up, Winking smile.
Too bad, probably someone hurting from a lack of love.
God Bless, hope you are having a nice night. Debbie K.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
After visiting with the Juebs one evening, my husband & I looked around and said, “We can’t leave you with all of this mess, let us help clean up”. So we did, he called all Jeub children and our 4, as well, they all lined up, the rules were laid out (for our 4) and the two minute tidy began…Two minutes later half of the toys were put away, all children were smiling about their accomplishments, even ours. The best worker got to sit out for the next two minute tidy and the rest were off. The next two minute tidy and the house was restored to order! All smiles, all around. 6 minutes of cleaning and shazam! kapow! It was like a room full of Voom (see Dr. Suess’s The Cat in the Hat Comes Back). Now no one single person or two (parents) had to clean up, which would have taken at least an hour, by themselves. We have these little 2-10 minute clean ups at our house, too! If you think it’s a bad thing, go talk to FlyLady! (flylady.net)
August 13th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
As my husband says, *we* didn’t make all that mess, we’re certainly not cleaning it all up! I use the timer some times and other times I divide the house into zones with each child responsible for a different part. I’m responsible for the cooking and mopping (all hardwood). With a small crew of 6 plus parents, that’s still enough to keep me hopping!
August 24th, 2007 at 12:26 am
I did something like this when my oldest was 8. He was my only child at the time, granted, but my husband worked 2 jobs and I worked full time. So he and I had to work together. I’d set the timer in the kitchen with the only stipulation: Lets see if we can make it better - not perfect. And I’d designate what his job or area was. That way he would never feel like he failed when the timer went off. We’d do 10 min intervals and we’d be running around laughing. Then - I swear this is true - he’d say “let’s do that again!”
And to Chris and Wendy - thanks so much for sharing your story. I have recently quit working to stay home permanently with my children so I am interested in anything regarding budgeting and making a home run more smoothly! I endlessly admire your calm.
December 25th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I just saw your family on TLC last night, and I loved the attitude that showed through in your family about housework–at one point, Chris said, “Good enough is perfect,” and on the topic of the kids doing yardwork, Wendy said something like, “It may not be perfect, but we’re not doing yards, we’re doing kids.” What a great example of how to keep the focus on what’s really important! I need to remember that when my house looks like it’s exploded (which it sure does today!)
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I think it is a cute idea. If you ever watched Super Nanny she is always coming up with neat ideas like that to get the kids motivated.
You are a nice, kind family.
Keep up the love of Christ in your hearts and homes. It shows!!!
Happy Easter,
The Kellingers of Chicago