Two Ways To Finally Get That Housework All Done

Screen Shot 2018-07-02 at 7.33.26 PM.png

Do you feel like the housework never ends? Dirty laundry, messy rooms, dishes that never end, meals that need to be cooked and errands that need running.

We’ve all felt this way–or currently feel this way. It’s true that work is never complete. Once something is clean then something else takes its place. Thought you were done with laundry? Think again…you’re still wearing clothes that need to be washed. 😩

We’re all busy woman with a larger “to do” list than any one person can ever get done! 

I would like to propose a question–Do YOU have to get it all done?

Is it possible that the pressure to get it all done is self-imposed? 

But, Heather, my laundry has to get done or we’ll all be running around naked!

Okay, I’ll give you that one. But, do YOU have to be the one to do it all?

I’d like to propose that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE THE ONE GETTING IT ALL DONE. For those of us married or married with children, we’ve got some built-in help.

“What? My family is terrible at helping! My husband can’t ever get the dishes in the right spot into the dishwasher and the kids try and clean the bathrooms, but it’s atrocious, they always seem to miss those spots that should never be missed.” “Then don’t forget the complaining Heather. I get so tired of it!”

Do you feel like it’s easier to just do it yourself? Or, the only way it will be done “right” is by doing it yourself?

I agree that we may be the ones who can do it best. But, is the goal of our house to be perfect? Or, could it be so that we can enjoy our families more in a happy, healthy environment?

Growing up did you ever think, “man I can’t wait to grow up and clean all day, be my kids’ personal taxi driver and my husband’s maid?” I know that wasn’t at the top of my list of lifelong dreams!!

If you’re experiencing overload in your home, would you like to change that?  

If your answer is “no, I’m happy as things are. I’d rather my house perfect than enjoy life a little more,” then I won’t be much help. 

But, if your answer is yes, I’d like to enjoy my family and create a happy, healthy home, please continue.

So, how do we get it all done without being the one to have to do it all:

 

1. Delegate to your husband

He’s just as much a part of the marriage team as we are. 

It seems like media over the years is always displays a husband as incompetent. If you ever got the chance to check out your man on the job, you might be surprised to find he’s VERY competent. 

But, if he’s so competent at work, why isn’t he at home? 

People rise and fall to the expectations we have of them. 

If you believe you’re husband is incompetent and every time he tries something new, you take it back over with a frustrated, “I’ll just do it,” he’s going to give up quickly and let you “just do it.”

Give him a chance to fail. It’s okay, it’s not the end of the world. We all need the room to be able to fail in a safe environment so that we can learn and improve.

Remember too, you didn’t marry your man because you wanted another child to raise. 😉 

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

When we treat our husbands like the treasures they are, they will live up to it! 

Important side note: if it’s been a long time since you’ve been your husband’s cheerleader in this manner, it will take some time for him to live up to it. You’ll need to be consistent cheering them on and believing in them before they make a turnaround. But, if you do, he will eventually reciprocate. 

Photo by Volha Flaxeco on Unsplash

Photo by Volha Flaxeco on Unsplash

 

2. Delegate to your children

If you have kids, your job as a parent isn’t to do everything for them so that they have a happy, easy childhood.

Our goal as a parent is to raise successful adults.

How? By helping them learn the life skills and attitudes they need to be successful adults.

We’re to be an example of what life can be. But if we do it all for them, they miss out on the learning experience.

It seems like more and more parents don’t want their kids to experience the hardships they did as a child.

But, if we take a look at the “hardships,” those are the things that formed us. They created a perseverance in us that doesn’t come from everything getting handed to us on a silver platter.

No, hear me out, I’m not talking about if you were abused. I am talking about having to work for something you want. I’m talking about difficulties in life that challenged us to be more. It’s those struggles that created a stronger character in us.

And, yes there will most likely be whining. But, just as a muscle has to be worked for it to grow stronger. Our children need to work to build character muscles. Those are the muscles that they need to succeed in life and help them to become who God has created them to be. Those character muscles are also what will keep them from failing miserably in life.

So, it’s time to delegate to your loved ones. It’s a win-win! You get help from your overload and your family gets the opportunity to grow and bless you at the same time.


Discussion

What can you do today to help your family be a part of the team instead of just watching from the sidelines?


Resources

Parenting through the mirror by S. Courtney Lawson (FYI, this is my mom!)

The Young Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews
 
How To Balance Being A Mom You’re Proud Of And Keep A Clean House At The Same Time blog post