Ok, I’d be lying if I told you I do all the cleaning by myself. However, I am the one responsible for ensuring that the house stays clean amidst the seven people who all live in it. So just like in my work life, I need to get strategic, coral the team and manage the work getting done right. This has even taught the boys to be responsible little men, which has gone a LONG way in keeping mom sane and the house feeling peaceful:
I am the CEO and COO of our house.
Sounds official right? Well, it only means that the entire house and everything in it is my responsibility. Doesn’t sound as good when you say it that way, does it? But with any business, the CEO may be the person responsible, but that doesn’t mean they are the person doing it all. My job as the CEO is to know every big area that needs to be managed and what it takes to get it done. The second part of my job, being the COO, means that I need to ensure there are processes in place to get the job done, and people assigned to do them. Sounds easy, right… some days, I guess. Other days the mental load makes me want to cry, but for the most part I stay right between those extremes and manage it quite well.
Luis is my closer.
If you are familiar with baseball, the closer is the pitcher who comes in to protect the lead at the end of a game. So, while the house is my responsibility, after he gets out of work, he helps where he can and takes care of the things I can’t. He may never make a grocery list, or pack a school lunch, but he knows full well that I have to get that done so if that means he’s on dishes duty so I can cover those things, that’s what he does. We do have some “assigned” chores. He will never do laundry. I will never do dishes. It works for us because I hate any chore that makes me touch water (I just see lots of bacteria) and he can’t figure out who’s shirt is who’s. And the best part of having a closer? Oh, I just point, and things disappear! “That trash smells!” “The umbrella out back is broken.” Then, next thing I know, there’s no trash, the umbrella is gone and Mama’s happy.
I outsource where needed.
I have a housekeeper, her name is Carola and she is a Godsend! She is the reason I never scrub toilets any more or have to mop our entire house which is 100% tile and takes forever. She comes every other week and does a full clean with a focus on the kitchen and bathrooms so that in between visits I only need to maintain the cleanliness of the house. And she brings all her own supplies, so I never have to worry about running out of window or floor cleaner. But I will forever have Amazon Link – Fabuloso and Amazon Link – window wipes under my kitchen sink! If you are even considering getting help, it is COMPLETELY worth a call to her!
I have a team.
Ok, so 4 boys between the ages of 4 and 9 doesn’t exactly count as the most experienced staff, but I know what they are capable of doing, I teach them to do it, and they know it’s their responsibility to get it done. And I’m not talking chores where they get paid to do the work.
We have taught them from the very beginning that time is our biggest asset, and if mom has to spend her time doing everything around the house, then we definitely won’t have time to play at the park, go to Seaworld, head out to the bowling alley or anything like that after school. So, they see this work as being a part of the team. I’ll do a full post on what they do, how they do it, and what are some great age appropriate chores to get your kids involved and helping you too!
So, it all comes down to this: If I run our house like I run my business, it all comes together.
- I simply set the vision of what I want our house to look like and how I want it to feel.
- Then, I clearly define the goals of how to attain the vision.
- I actively manage the goals and get involved in all aspects to ensure we maintain our alignment.
- I communicate clearly and often to everyone involved and set the expectations of their role.
- And finally, I praise and express gratitude often.
Without everyone around me, I could never keep up a household of 5 boys on my own!