How long does the training process take?

DH will start soon. What should I be doing to get a good routine going? How long will it take for to "get" what we need? I know each person is different but just trying to see what others went through. Any do's and dont's that you can advise me of?

Do be demading in the beginning and get softer later, if the helper performs well.


I made a mistake and gave my DH lots of credit when she was forgetful, negligent, untidy and so on. She knew that no matter what she did I'd say: "It's Ok, try your best next time". I ended up repeating same things over and over again. Then she started forgetting more serious things, like picking up my child from school on time :-(


After 7 moths I was desparate. It was my fault for trying to be nice to her. Keep in mind that your boss at work expects certain standard of performance from you. In your case, you are the boss, so the same rule applies.

Here is the list of duties I gave my helper when she started with us, we don't actually follow all that well but it gave her an idea of what her day might be like.


Daily


Empty Dishwasher

Prepare children’s breakfast

Prepare school lunches

Straighten up living room, wipe coffee table

Make beds

Straighten up bathrooms

Laundry (separate dark colours, light colours and whites)

Keep kitchen clean (kitchen bleach can be used on sinks otherwise CIF)

Empty bins in bathrooms and bedrooms

Take out rubbish

Sweep and mop the kitchen floor

Ironing


Monday


Dust all wood furniture with polish (living room/dining room/bedrooms)

Glass doors and TV cleaned with window cleaner

Master bathroom

Vacuum all rooms and hallways (mop)


Tuesday


Clean all bathrooms

Week 1 – clean oven or clean silver

Week 2 – clean balcony, clean filters in A/C units

Week 3 – wash windowsills, doorframes and cupboard doors

Week 4 – empty filters in washing machine/dishwasher. Wash filters in A/C units



Wednesday


Change children’s sheets

Cook prepared meals for the children


Thursday


Wipe all silver frames and silver with silver gloves

Dusting

Scrub kitchen floor


Friday


Change master bedroom sheets

Vacuum and mop

Check fridge, clean shelves and remove old left overs

Change towels



As needed


Clean sliver frames and silverware with silver polish

Clean BBQ

Clean outdoor furniture

Keep laundry area clean

Clean mats and floor of playroom

Wipe all placemats and coasters


While family is away


Wash and wax wood floors

Bedding (doona’s, pillows and underlays) dry-cleaned

Sofa covers to drycleaner

Playroom sofa covers to be washed

Sort toys and clean

Empty kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers, wipe and clean, re-line

Clean wood blinds


Notes:


Always ask if unsure what products to use for cleaning

Feel free to have the children help in keeping their own rooms tidy, to help take washing to the laundry, cooking or simple chores.

Never use any bleach other than in the kitchen – I do not use it on clothing only napisan and am more then happy to show you how I deal with whites and stains

You do not have to clean the outsides of the windows, except the balcony doors.

Bra’s and delicates are to be washed in a “wash bag”


Children’s Routine


Milk on waking – 7am

Breakfast

Lunch 12pm

Dinner 5pm

Bath 5.30-6pm

Milk after 6pm

Bedtime starts at 7pm

Snack times need to be watched so as not to interfere with main meals



The children respond well to time warnings to get them moving, e.g. 5 minutes until we leave for…., 2 minutes etc.


General time outs work well with the children being sent to their rooms for poor behaviour, they may return once they are prepared to come back with acceptable behaviour.


Meals and snacks should be eaten in the kitchen.


TV needs to be limited as much as possible. No TV in the mornings before school.


This is simply a guide and has not been used before; we can adjust it as we go along.