Customer Reviews

Mrs. Clean Jean's Housekeeping with Kids: Family Pickup Lines (and Household Routines) That Work with Less Work from You

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book with great hope. I need some help to get my home together and keep it that way. However, reading this book just depressed me - no way could I [or would I] do what she does in this book.

I thought most of her advice was just plain obsessive. Her family cleans their crown molding and base boards every week. Really. Not only would I *never* have time for that on a weekly basis, but I would *never* use my time like that if I did have a spare moment.

The laundry advice was very labor intensive too. This was the section I most wanted to read and where I need the most help, but I would never in a million years have time to do the laundry as meticulously as she recommends. [I was looking for ways to be more efficient with the laundry, not make it take even longer].

My kids aren't going to clothes pin their stained clothes on the spot where they stained them [the ones that stain frequently are too young for for that] and I'm happy if they just put their stained clothes in the "stain basket" so I can treat them later. I don't have the time, space, or inclination to use 7 different methods of stain removal based on 7 different cleaning products [several of which you have to make up yourself] to use on different kinds of stains. I would love it if my kids would clothes pin their socks together every single time, but I just frankly don't see that happening. I don't have time to sit with the toddler and have her sort out all the laundry into every different color of the rainbow before I wash it so she can "learn her colors". And I am *NOT* going to drip dry all our cotton clothing... no way.

Her ideas for the kitchen were similarly labor intensive I thought - like taking ALL dry goods out of their [perfectly good! ;) ] containers and placing them in clear plastic storage containers [even things like baking soda....]. Who has time for that? Not me at any rate. And I laughed out loud at the admonition that I should keep a lazy susan full of fancy teas, sugar swizzles, and biscotti so I would always be prepared for unexpected "drop in visitors". Personally, I don't want anyone stopping by my house without calling first, and I'm not going to reward them with fancy tea and biscotti if they are that rude. ;)

She also seemed germ-phobic to the point of unhealthiness. All the "newest research" is telling us that we are making ourselves sicker by trying to be "anti-bacterial" about everything and not allowing our bodies to build up immunities to germs. I really have the feeling, based on this book, that this lady's home is cleaner than most hospital operating rooms - she is really, really germ obsessed.

This book might work for someone who is super energetic and has a whole lot of time for cleaning or someone who has that inborn "neat freak" gene, but for most "regular" folks... it isn't going to help.

I found the book just really more disheartening than anything - because my house is *never* going to look like hers. And honestly, I wouldn't want it to - I just want it basically presentable.

I really thought her methods were over the top and very inefficient. "Sink Reflections" by Flylady is much more my speed. :)

Thank you, Tara Aronson! As the mother of a four-year-old, who is on the cusp of being able to do so many things for himself -- but who doesn't -- your book was immensely empowering for me to take control of the situation. It gave me the tools to teach my child how to take reponsibility for himself and help keep this house running smoothly. Your book is so easy to read and spells things out succintly -- and with wit. Your book is now my new gift to all my mommy friends. Thank you!

I'm one of those moms who found it easier and faster to do all the housework myself. Now with teens in the house who won't lift a finger, I wish I'd read this book 10 years ago!
What's best about this book?
* Chore lists broken down by age brackets that make cleaning fun, even for toddlers.
* Surprising storage ideas for my always-cluttered garage.
* Smart ways to reorganize your kitchen to cut cooking time in half.
If you're starting a family, buy this book first. You'll thank yourself some day in the not-too-distant future when your kids not only take part, but have fun, sharing housework.

This book is amazing! Not only is it helpful, insightful, and informative but it is incredibly entertaining to read as well. From helping to motivate my family to get involved in household chores to practical ideas to organize my garage (always the dad's area of responsibility!)all the way to accommodating overnight guests - this book is the best how-to field guide for running a house that I have ever read. A real must for all members of the family but especially practical for husbands and dads.

She has some good chore charts that are organized by the age of the child. Some very good room ideas too, but they're not always easy to find in the chapters.

However, some of her ideas on things other than cleaning are just bizarre.

For instance, she discusses carpools in great detail, even going so far as to say you should inquire about insurance levels of all the drivers. Well, gee, if you're going to do that, shouldn't you go as far as getting driving records from DMV too? And if you're really that worried about it, should you be doing the carpool thing at all?

And, be forewarned, this author has apparently never lived outside of a large metropolitan city, because for her, cell phones are a fact of life--she apparently has never lived nor traveled where there is no coverage. She is so dependent upon them, that when there was a minor injury to a friend's child, had practically a panic attack when she couldn't reach the parents (either didn't have the phone with them or turned it off). Cell phones are not foolproof, folks--they stop working, there are areas with no coverage, people turn them off, people leave them behind in the car or at home, people actually choose to ignore the ring, really! For someone so "organized", in this situation she came across as fairly helpless. Hopefully she learned her lesson and has a signed medical release form for her friend's kids somewhere, or better yet, taken a Red Cross First Aid class.

If she stuck to the cleaning issues only, the book is okay, although she seems very into disposable anti-bacterial wipes. Her other advice, well, it's good for a laugh. Buy used, after checking it out of the library first.

Although not related, I play "uncle" to two great kids (ages 4 and 7). My weekends now seem busier than weekdays with all the activities we've got going on - movies, art projects and sports.

I've never been a parent and didn't realize just how chaotic (toys flung here and there) a room or car can become in a matter of minutes! Thankfully, my sister (who has three kids of her own) sent me this book.

I must admit, being a guy, I left it sitting on my kitchen table for a week without reading it! When I finally picked it up, I was really amazed at all the practical advice. The author seemed to be speaking right to me!

For guys, this is a great book. Beyond being helpful with kids, I've started to organize my own life and house based on her advice - there's a place for everything!

Great read.

It has been difficult to work with a 7 year old boy who has just become my new stepson, learning new rules, discipline and the importance of picking up after himself. I get tired of saying "do this and do that." I want to be a fun stepmom, yet at the same time keep a clean and organized home. Mrs. Clean Jean's Housekeeping with Kids gave me the tools to make it work.

As a woman without children, I spend a great deal of time with my nieces and nephews. As they have grown older, I see the difficulties that my sisters are facing with regards to discipline and housekeeping. Mrs. CleanJeans' Housekeeping with Kids is user-friendly guide, which helps parents (and Aunts!) find new and creative ways to clean up around the house and teach the kids how to do their part. Thanks, Mrs. CleanJeans!!
(And I'm keeping a copy...for when I have kids of my own!!)

Tara has some amazing advice for anyone who is attempting to keep some semblance of order in a home with children. Mine are teenagers now (bigger clothes to clean,and definitely messier in the kitchen than a toddler!)and I was able to glean many timesaving tips and invaluable information from her succinct yet entertaining writing style. The book is easy to read with helpful graphics and an index to die for. I only wish I had the book even earlier in my daughters lives!
A must read for every parent, grandparent, or friend of a parent who has kids in their lives. Great housewarming gift to add to the basket!

Even though I do not have children of my own, I have highly recommended the book to my girlfriends that do. On occasion, I do have children that come to visit my home and will use the tips. Tara's advice will certainly keep me from breaking a nail.