Another thing I used to do is doing some chores whilst having the baby in a baby carrier, whilst giving my toddler a cloth to dust with me

It can be tough. First of all don’t let a tidy house be your priority in this stage of life ! I remember you tidy and it’s a mess when you turn around at that age. So I didn’t tidy too much throughout the day although at age 2 you can start tidy together the blocks up and teach your toddler to help. I remember at that stage I asked my husband to help and he would vacuum every night after we tidied together when the kids went in bed

Just do what you can, little by little. Don’t stress to much at this stage.

I have a cleaner once per fortnight and I just do things as I can. I am less concerned about that sort of thing now so if it doesn’t get done… I don’t worry and if it is getting a problem I ask for help. My husband and I share most of the housework.

I sweep every night, do washing every second day. Give the bathroom and toilet a clean every three days. And vacuum and mop floors once a week. I do general tidy up everyday and make sure children keep their rooms, semi clean

I pick my times… If I feel tired there is no point in pushing. And somethings are more important than cleaning.

Tidy as you go works well; no build up of housework.

It does get better; hang in there. Is there anyone who can give you some help and support?

Enlist daddy to help out. You have a full time job with children there is not enough hours in the day to do it all!
Do your children attend a day care center? This would give you child free time to do what you need to. Or perhaps you can arrange a swap with another mother where you mind each others children one day a week and get your free time to do what you need to do. You are not superwoman and if you try to be you will burn out really quickly. You may find that you can manage more though if you do some things at night after children in bed, such as dusting, vacuuming and laundry. Have your little ones pick up their toys and put their clothes to be laundered into hampers. It is never too early to start teaching them to pick up after themselves. You may be able to hire a cleaning lady for a few hours a week and take the children on a special outing tire them out so you can all have a nap when you get home.

tidy as you go

KIDS- organise a toybox for their room, lounge and outdoors
teach them to put away a toy before playing with another and you can get them to help do little things like hand you washing as you hang it out

set a cleaning routine.
i do a full house clean every monday and load of washing and vac every morning

It’s hard, isn’t it? Pick the most important things (like kitchen, floors and washing) and you have to let go off some of the other stuff for a while. It might seem like it, but the situation will not last forever. Don’t try to keep everything clean all the time, it’s not possible. Someone recently told me that trying to clean the house with children in it is like trying to brush your teeth while you’re eating. With the washing (since it never ends and your time is limited) you might have to use the dryer a bit more. Takes less time to put it in the dryer than to hang it out (just make sure heat is on low setting). During the day, put the dishes all in one spot (or in one sink) which looks a bit tidier, and then attack the dishwasher in one go. Give your eldest a task to do (anything, even if it’s not cleaning related) to keep them occupied while you sweep (sweeping is quicker than vacuuming, so sweep more then do a good vacuum when you’ve got some help). Then repeat after me… I can do anything, but not everything. You’ll eventually find your groove, but you’ve got to give yourself a bit of a break, you’re doing the hardest job in the world. Hang in there.

This is a million dollar question!! Incentive is the key i think!!

I spread them out during the day, if I do it all at once just leaves me so tired by the evening.

Give your 2 year old a activity to do while you clean. Maybe put on a DVD(yes it’s ok) this hopefully will give you a little time to clean. Put the little one in a playpen with some safe toys in the room your cleaning so they can see you. If they cry it’s ok. Give yourself a set amount of time to clean, grab a quick cuppa and go back to the kids. If they seem fine carry on cleaning but checking on the kids every now and then. The little one might even go back to sleep for a while if your lucky. And it’s ok to do a quick clean not everything has to been done to 100 percent satisfaction. Good luck.

make sure you keep your iron levels up, this can cause tiredness

little bits at a time add up to a clean house over time

I used to put loads of washing through at night – if I had to get up to feed anyway I’d just change over. Then hang it out in the morning.

do a little bit each night or morning

Don’t be so hard on yourself. I remember when my children were little and complaining to my husband about how dirty the house was. His answer was “there is a big difference between dirty and messy”. He was right, you must look after yourself. The sleeping pattern will improve with time, just hang in there. Best wishes to you and your family Amanda.

maybe ask a family or friend to come over mind them for a bit while you clean