Family Briefs

I was expecting company on Friday - mind you it was just my sister and her husband (no need to really impress them with my “clean” house because they know the truth ), but I wanted at least the BIG GRUNGE cleaned up (that means the bathrooms, kitchen, and vacuuming). I set about cleaning the kids’ bathroom first - how is it possible to get pee and toothpaste in so many different places? I am always horrified pissed off astounded! I got their bathroom all spic ‘n span and was quite proud of myself for completing the task so quickly.

The next morning, do you know what I found???? Dried toothpaste in the sink!!!!! And, of course, no one would confess to leaving the mess behind!!! I was so discouraged to find dried toothpaste all over the mirror faucet floor sink, I thought I might list the munchkins on ebay (I’d only have to be a little dishonest about their housekeeping habits).

Little infuriates me more than feeling like I wasted my time on cleaning. Why bother
if it doesn’t last for more than a couple of hours??? And I had “company” coming - translation - I had to clean the bathroom AGAIN!!!

Now, this wasn’t a new problem - this weekend was just the straw that broke this camel’s back! I’ve made all kinds of threats to my little ones about making them clean the sink with their tongues (yeah, right), and I’ve politely suggested they turn the water on when they need to spit and spit into the water. This, however, leads to just leaving the water running - even when no one is in the bathroom (can’t wait to get THAT water bill ).

Well, I may have stumbled across something that WORKS FOR ME! I thought I’d share in case it WORKS FOR YOU TOO ). I began encouraging my kids to “shoot the target” (aim their spit at the drain), and their competitive nature takes it from there! By spitting directly on the drain, you’d be amazed (as I’m sure they are) how quickly and easily the toothpaste is rinsed away by just turning on the water. In fact, by filling their little rinse cups, they almost “accidentally” rinse the sink out - they don’t think it’s any extra work at all . This is going so well that I may have to start giving out prizes or start keeping score with the blue grease pencil.

For now, I’ll keep cheering them on and giving them hi-fives. Who knows? I may even clean their bathroom a little more happily, knowing the sink may stay clean another day.

For more great ideas, check out other “Works for Me Wednesday” bloggers at Rocks In My Dryer . You can even join in on the fun!