Do you clean more when you get company?
By hunandi
@hunandi (288)
United States
November 14, 2008 2:04pm CST
I try to keep my house as clean I can without spending every wakeing moment on it. I have more important things to do then clean 24/7 ie help with homework play with my kids make dinner and what not. That being said I try to never have a dirty dish sitting around the house unless its in the dish washer. I play the pick up game every morning. I come down stairs and say I swear I did this yestorrday and start all over. My kids really arent hat messy for being kids. But I always want everything close to prefect when my grandma comes over. She doesnt care what my house looks like as long as its not a pig pen but that doesnt stop me over tring. I guess its cause I think so highly of her and never want to disappoint her which I know I could not. But then theres my father whom thinks my house is always a wreak nothing is ever good enough.Even if I had 2 maids no kids to make a mess and lived in the white house he would still come over and say well you should have done it this way, what do you do all day if you dont work. Crap like that. Its just plain rude. Dont you agree? Now in my case when my dad left my mother I did everything for him the wash the cleaning the cooking. I used to make homemade bread all the time and stoped because he always complained he didnt like it its not as good as store bourght. Aww what happened to that unspooken law if you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all. Now him and his new wife and step daughter are coming in to town this weekend and I want to see him not her she likes no one other then her self. But that does not stop me from wanting to see him But i hurt knowing hes going to say something mean. And I know I'll get up se more so because I'll spend the rest of the night cleaning and going over things praying he wont open his mouth. Do you feel any of these ways when people come to see you. Who and why. I know I cant be alone.
5 people like this
14 responses
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
14 Nov 08
I am like you when it comes to housework I do not see why every minute of my day should be spent cleaning up and tidying up after everyone else and with four kids it is pointless half the time anyway! But if I know my mum and dad are coming or any of my hubbys family or anyone for that matter I suddenly look at my house with new eyes or how I think they will see it and I just go mad then trying to get it to sparkle which is never going to happen in my house! None of my family ever say anything though about it being untidy or anything, unless they wait til they leave and then say it!
3 people like this
@hunandi (288)
• United States
14 Nov 08
We have three daughters. And recently moved my sister and her family in with us for a while. She had the bad luck of finding out her room mate didnt pay the rent for the house they had. So we are know up to 5 kids all under 11. So I hear you loud and clear. So from one busy mom to another have a nice day:)
1 person likes this
@hildas (3031)
•
15 Nov 08
I try to be tidy and like my home clean, but if I know someone is going to be calling over, I like it to look perfect.
I think I would not like people to talk about me or say my house looked a mess, that is why I do this.
Yes you are right. We tidy everyday and in the mornings we say to ourselves, why do we even bother. My children can be messy sometimes and I do tell them off, but sometimes even my husband can be messy and I hate it.
I feel sorry for you worring what your Dad is going to say. I think that is not very nice of him to critizise you and your home. Could you not arrange to meet him somewhere else so he does not get the chance to fault you. I think you should say something back to him about this, but in a nice way. I have to tell my Mother off sometimes as she can be mean. I used to let her walk over me, but now I stick up for myself and tell her how I really feel without taking it too far.
I wish you the best for this weekend. I hope it all goes well for you.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
15 Nov 08
Well sheesh come over here and make my house look perfect would you?
I do not worry what others think or say abnout my house and or housekeeping.
They don't live here and if they dont like it I'll show them where all the cleaning supplies are.
So I keep it clean enough for me and that's all I worry about usually.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
I do not worry what others think or say abnout my house and or housekeeping.
They don't live here and if they dont like it I'll show them where all the cleaning supplies are.
So I keep it clean enough for me and that's all I worry about usually.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~2 people like this
@hunandi (288)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Well this weekend went ok he was more fliped out when my sister said she might have another kids kind took the attion off me. I dont think he would have liked what I had to say if he would have dared open his mouth this time. Ive done so much work to this house and we just bourght it the last day of April this year and it was much worse then. Ive spent more time fixing up this old house then I have anything. A every close second would be time with my kids. So Im tired and testy he would have meet his match this time I think.
@hildas (3031)
•
15 Nov 08
Good attitude you have. I wish I could be like that. I think a lot of people talk about you in my family if your house is messy, so I would not give them the pleasure. (they probably talk about me anyway though) I should not worry what people think you are right.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I am lucky that my family lives far away they don't have to see my house!! When they do come to town I try to clean up before they come. My mom is pretty good about not telling me what I should have done or could do better but my grandmother thats a hole other story she is horriable. You could clean for a week have every thing spotless and its not good enough for her!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (93883)
• United States
14 Nov 08
My mom always worries about what her mom will think about her house. My mom keeps the house pretty clean, but it does not, and I don't think it could, look like the immaculate house my grandmother keeps. And now days my grandma doesn't even expect my parent's house to look 'all that', but I guess my mom has that habit of trying to please her mother anyway.
I'd like to give your dad a piece of my mind! It sounds like he is a very critical person, and not a grateful one at all! I know his words hurt, but I hope you'll be able to see how wrong he is, and how well you really do run your household. 
I tend to clean when company comes, and when I'm sick. If I'm sick and can still get around that is, I'll clean. I guess it is to take my mind off whatever illness I've got at that moment.
I tend to clean when company comes, and when I'm sick. If I'm sick and can still get around that is, I'll clean. I guess it is to take my mind off whatever illness I've got at that moment.2 people like this
@hunandi (288)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I dont know why my dad acts like that I know hes not prefect. I shouldn't let it get to me but It still does. I too tend to clean when Im sick some times more because then i want play with my kdis as much for fear of getting them sick as well.
1 person likes this
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I clean everyday after 5 kids and a husband. Kitchen is almost always neat and tidy, living room with the babies toys are another story but I bought a huge tote so that they could be put away neater.
I dont worry much when people come over truthfully as the house is pretty much clean and my motto is: If you came to visit that is great! If you want to put me down leave. Im a SAHM and I work hard everyday. All I have to make happy is the ones that live here in my opinion.
Maybe you could work it that you meet at like a resturant or something if it makes you this uncomfortable. I dont think the way your dad acts is nice at all thou. He should be there to see his family and nothing else.
1 person likes this
@hunandi (288)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Agreed I know his house is never prefect. And growing up the house was never prefect. But he has no real idea what its like to real clean a house everyday or raise kids. So Im learning I need to not care as much. Although I was pretty upset when I learned this week that he doesn't treat my other sisters this way. And on any giving day my house is much nicer then theyres. So now I'm just wondering why me?
@nadooa247 (1096)
• United States
15 Nov 08
My husband's step-mom and my uncle's wife is that way. nothing good enough. even if the apartment is spotless still they find something to frown upon. especially so his step-mom cause she really dislikes me i heard her say so even recently. so some people aren't worth the extra effort but at least when those people open their pie holes you know that they are full of it and you went far beyond what would be expected.
1 person likes this
@hunandi (288)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Yes thats likely a good way of putting it. Sorry to say I'm glad I'm not alone though. I have heard my step mother say she dislikes me for her I dont think I would bother me at all. To be honest I dont care for her ethier but at least I try. Shes only 7 years older then my oldest sister. But she thinks shes the head of the family cause she married my dad. But it bugged her really bad when my grandma said I was in charge of keeping my family together cause I always plan all the hollidays and everyone comes to me if the need something. Even if you went to my dad and her youd be turned down. Thank you your comment made me smile Happy my lotting
@nadooa247 (1096)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Hunandi add the word step to anything and it's not going to be pretty. Yes i know there are great step parents out there (heck i know a few!) but my experience and yours isn't exactly sweet as honey lol...
it's a type of jealousy because they want to be number one and are willing to do or try anything for that... trusssssssst me been on that end of the stick to lol
by the way real sweet of you to give me BR =)
just knowing that your grandmother told her you ARE better than her should give you all the satisfaction in the world lol...! So say what she might, do what she might at least SHE knows and YOU know who is the better person =P
Happy Mylotting!
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
15 Nov 08
In my household there is just myself, my wife, and my dad whom I take care of. I did not do a lot of cleaning daily until just recently. I would dust maybe once a week and same with vacuuming. Well just recently we bought a new TV, DVD player, home theatre system, new TV stand etc. So now I wqant it to stay clean as long as possible so I find myself dusting each and every day now, sometimes a few times a day. I never really clean any more than usual for guests/company etc coming over. I may pick things up so it isn't cluttered is about all I do. I also try to keep the kitchen clean as I hate seeing and or smelling dirty dishes wioth scraps left on them.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@hunandi (288)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Agreed I hate dirty dishes more so if someone has not scraped them off an then put them in the sink. That and trash come on now people everyone but the baby know where the garbage can is and what its for. Heck actly even the babys learning that after I change her that were we but the dirty diaper. So if a 1 year old gets it what makes it hard for everyone else too. Thanksfor you comments have a wonderful night.
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I try to keep the house "company ready", but I usually put more effort into cleaning when we have guests over.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I am still a young adult. I was never forced to do cleaning, never constructively atleast. Now though, I wouldn't mind doing the cleaning. I have spurts where I want to but well it's not my house. In any case, with this situation I would clean to what you feel is the proper cleanliness. The only people that really should have a say are those who live in your house, I can understand respecting your grandma, but your father appears spoiled. No offense intended.
1 person likes this
@hunandi (288)
• United States
17 Nov 08
No offense taken. Spoiled maybe diffenetly not by my mother though and not by his mother either. So Im not us where he got this attiud from. Like Im supposed to be prefect as well. But I came too learn this week he doesnt treat my other 4 sisters the same way. Any how thanks for your time and comment
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
15 Nov 08
No, I usually will try to clean more when I am not getting any company.. I will try to keep my home as clean as possible even if I am not expecting anyone.. I try to do it this way, just in case someone do decide to pop over or to come when not invited.. I want my home to be considered clean when I am not expecting company. I love the smell of a clean house..
1 person likes this
@jackiew (915)
• Canada
14 Nov 08
I really don't think your father should be putting you down all the time.You seem to be the type of person that is always trying to please others.You should just please yourself.If you find the house is nice and clean that is all that matters.I keep mine clean and as long as i am pleased with it-thats all that counts.I find everyone does a little extra when getting company.Good luck with your dads visit.
@moonbeam94 (387)
• Australia
15 Nov 08
You will never be able to please your dad no matter what you do or how much effort you put into it ,this is the way he is so stop stressing your house is clean and lived in enjoy seeing him ,when he complains tell him you love him and change the subject my dad was the same never happy with what I did or how I did it,it was his way only.
1 person likes this
@AlucardChristian (152)
• Philippines
15 Nov 08
If I have guests coming, well, I do some cleaning up for some parts of the house are pretty messy.
It's good to make your house presentable for your visitors.
1 person likes this
@PuzzlePiece (18)
• Canada
15 Nov 08
Definitely. When company is planning to come over, there's this thing that goes off, and I start cleaning everything. Mostly its just stuffing this into closets and under places into places that are out of site. But i make much more of an effort to clean when people come over.
1 person likes this
@newyorksalright (89)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I try to be pretty neat all the time but i guess it gets out of hand for everyone :) But yes I definately do the deep clean when I know someone is going be coming in, especially now w/ the holidays nearing. Usually its the bathrooms and kitchen that I slack on so they are getting the toothbrush polish soon.
