Homework or Housework?

Many days, it is a toss up at our house.  What will get done -- our school work or the housework?  Usually schooling wins.  If I get too caught up in cleaning, I lose my pleasant attitude for kid interruptions.  Since I don't want to be Simon Legree (the mean slave driver from Uncle Tom's Cabin), I have lowered my cleaning standards a lot!

Homeschooling definitely adds extra challenges to housework, basically, because we are home a lot!  We use all the rooms of the house, all day long it seems.  And then there are projects over there and books everywhere. 

Now that the kids are older, their daily chore list really helps to take care of some of the most important bits of housework.  The toilets get cleaned every week because Holly, 14, takes one, Elijah, 12, takes one, and I, age unspecified thank you, take one.   Each kid is assigned a tub and counter space as well for scrubbing.  They have each become experts keeping their rooms tidy (although they could dust more).  Elijah has really "shaped up" this year as he gave himself the incentive of listening to his favorite story audios while he cleans.  He looks for excuses to go in and straighten and organize so that he can avoid schoolwork and listen to his CDs.

Unfortunately, I'm noticing that we've let some dusting slide lately.  Things that go unnoticed (like baseboards) are becoming noticeable due to all those dust bunnies perched on top.  I am itching for a spring clean.  But, my school plans are already laid for a busy (and messy) January!  So, I've penned in my February schedule:  spring clean one room each day.  As a kid, I never dreamed I would look forward to spring cleaning.  My mother would be so shocked - let's don't tell her!