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Housekeeping Tips

With an average of 2 out of every 3 women working outside the home,research shows that, despite the adventof the 'new man', most housework isstill done by women. How you tacklethe household chores will depend agreat deal on your lifestyle. if you havechildren, keeping the house in ordercan sometimes seem an impossible task,so perhaps now is the time to becomeorganized and make sure that everyonehelps to get the chores done.

Begin by organizing a rota, so thateveryone knows what they are expectedto do, and make sure that they stick to oit by putting up a star every time a job is completed. Try using incentives to getthe jobs done rather than punishment ifthey are not - extra pocket money or atreat means that everyone ends uphappy. Encourage young children totidy up their toys and pull their quiltsdown to air the beds in the morning, orask them to help you make your bed sothat they learn how it is done properlyat the same time. Laying the table andwiping down low cupboard doors arealso easy tasks for them to do. Olderchildren can help with dusting, cleaning or washing up. Do notdifferentiate between boys' and girls'jobs, as everyone needs to know how toclean, tidy and wash tip.

Keep the mop and cleaning materialstogether so that no one will have anexcuse to say that they could not findthe right things. A plastic bucket withdusters, rags and polish is useful - checkit regularly and replace contents ascontainers become empty.

Ask the family to fill in a 'WeeklyPlanner' or to tell you what they aredoing, where and when. Keep theplanner pinned to the wall where youcan see it easily - you will find itinvaluable when you need to check thatchildren are safe or whether you will hefree to take them to and collect themfrom an after-school activity. Keep anote of the telephone numbers of theirfriends to check that children are safe ifthey do nor ger home on time.

A year planner takes up wall space,but is useful for jotting down importantdates for the family such as birthdays,anniversaries and holidays. A wipeableplanner is useful where dates areregularly changed.

When you sit down together in theevening, ask the members of the familywhether there are any items of shoppingthat need to be bought the followingday, or appointments for the dentist ordoctor to be made. Put letters to beposted near the door so that they willnot he forgotten when you leave the

ORGANIZED FILING

Keep a general file with receipts forgoods that are under guarantee, and instruction manuals for all electrical appliances in case you need to refer to.

Keep another file containing allimfx,rtant documents such as birthcertificates, driving licences, passports.insurance documents and even yourWill in a safe place SO that you can findit quickly if necessary.

Keep a working list of jobs that need doing and cross them out as soonas you have dealt with them.

Prevent panics in the morning whenclothes cannot be found or homeworkhas not been finished by checking thenight before. Even if there is a goodprogramme on the television, theironing can still be done, shoes polishedand clothes mended while it is on. Anextra washbasin or shower installed in abedroom can also help to relieve themorning rush and inevitable queues forthe bathroOm.

Keep a small notebook and pencilwith you at all times so that a job youhave overlooked, or a telephone callyou must remember to make, is noteddown and not forgotten again. if youwake in the night and remember astring of things that you have forgottento do during the day, a piece of paperand a pencil next to the bed will gerthem written down for the morning.

Put telephone messages or remindersin one place where everyone is likely rolook. Papers with a tacky strip on oneside are ideal for sticking on doors ateye-level where they will not beoverlooked, or next to the item thatneeds dealing with.

Even young children can help with thehousework: ask them to tidy up their toys and topull their quilts down to air their own beds inthe morning.

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