Cleaning Schedule

Years ago most women were housewives.  Their job was to maintain the home and raise the children; and most did it happily.

To make their homes run smoothly, they had a cleaning schedule.  A typical schedule went something like this:

Monday:  Wash Day
Tuesday:  Ironing
Wednesday:  Darning and Sewing
Thursday:  Free day to shop or visit
Friday:  Clean house
Saturday:  Baking
Sunday:  Family Day/Worship

It sounds simple, but I know from trying to keep to a schedule, there are too many variables and life doesn't always run on a schedule.  These days, we seem to fill our days with constant activity and our obligations are heavier than they were back then.

With good intentions, I make schedules and try to stick to them so I can accomplish more, but even as an empty-nester, my schedules and good intentions often explode in my face.  Still, I believe a regular plan is the best way to stay on top of household chores.

We have the benefit of automatic washers and dryers.  Wash day is much easier on modern wives.  We don't have to stick to a schedule with this.  If your son must have his favorite or lucky t-shirt for school the next day, you can wash it with minimal effort.  In reality, it's easier to wash a load or two per night rather than wash a whole weeks worth of clothes for a family in one day.

Most of us can't imagine a whole day designated to ironing.  Our grandmothers ironed everything that anyone in the family wore, and then ironed the bed linens and tea towels.  It was hot work and they were on their feet the whole time.

 

I'm so happy we don't have to iron everything these days, and if we want to iron something, it doesn't take nearly as long with a modern steam iron.

 

Who darns socks anymore?  My sewing machine has a darning foot and will do that, but I've never used it.  We are fortunate indeed to be able to throw out our holey socks and just buy a new package for a couple of dollars.

 

A visiting day may seem quaint in our day.  We text more than we even talk on the phone, but just imagine going to a friend's house and sharing a cup of coffee and catching up - even for just an hour.  I like that idea.  It builds relationships that you can't build with a cell phone.  We are all on the run and texting is an easy way to keep in touch and keep track of our kids, but it is impersonal.  I love hearing a friend's voice.  Maybe technology is cheating us out of time with friends and family.

Having a cleaning day sounds like a good idea.  You know what a great feeling it is when everything is done and you can sit down and enjoy your sparkling home.  With our busy schedules, many of us don't have the luxury of getting it all done on one day.  We more than likely clean a room each day or just rake out the middles during the week and spend our weekends trying to catch up while our energy reserves are running on empty.    Or maybe you do one task per night:  Dust one night, vacuum the next, mop the hard floors another, etc. in between shuttling your children from ball practice and piano lessons and shopping, paying bills, and doing laundry.

 

A baking day is obsolete unless you bake for a hobby or are making homemade bread because of dietary restraints or to avoid preservatives.

 

 

 

Sunday used to be a family day where everyone went to church.  It was a good thing in so many ways!  Spending time together lets your children feel part of a family unit.  Worshipping together gives them a faith to practice, values, other decent people to spend time with.  If you are going to do anything for your children, this is one of the best things you could ever do for them.  Sitting down to eat together, not just on Sunday, keeps you abreast of what is going on in your children's lives.  It's important to keep the lines of communication open and to know who their friends are.  I could go on about this for days, but I'm getting off subject. 

 

Our lives have changed over the years, but some things never change.  You still have to clean the house, do laundry, cook, shop and run a household, even if you live alone.  Our chores are basically the same, but we are fortunate to have superior tools with which to do them.   Our grandmothers never had microwave ovens, convenience foods, or dishwashers.  Count your blessings;  they are many.

 

No matter how much our lives change, these constants will always remain.  Women will always be the homemakers and bear most of the chores and childcare.  We will always  be the ones taking care of things and making sure the house runs smoothly.  Do you have a cleaning schedule?