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Have you managed to do large home improvement projects since you became a parent?
If so, this post is directed to you. I want to know HOW you did it.
Please tell me.
Our little house is getting to the point where we really need to do some home improvements.
Of course, I have a giant master plan that covers upgrades to most every room in the house: some new floors, some old floors refinished, a bathroom remodel, the addition of a second bathroom, and the removal of a few walls and a gigantic fireplace; however, we don't have the funds to do everything at once — or anywhere else to live! To save money, we try to do most things ourselves, with the help and direction of some handy family members.
I just want to know how parents do it. How can we get any big (or small) home improvement projects done? Things go so slowly if just one of us works on a project.
It's also such time suckage, but I think we're getting there as far as prioritizing some work on the house over much-needed personal downtime on the weekends.
Have you managed to knock out some big house projects with kids? How did you do it?
- Did you get sitters?
- Pay someone else to do it?
- Take time off work?
- Busy the kids with other things so you could work?
- Let the kids help?
- Wait until your kids were older?
- Watch the kids while your spouse worked on the project or vice versa?
How, how, how did you do it? I feel so stuck and also antsy to move forward.
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Comments (4)
Really isn't getting them to help, but fun nonetheless! When we get ready to paint a room...well, we all end up fingerpainting the walls the day before.
But, when dh is making something, be it a dog house, bird house, planters, cabinets, etc., he usually has the kids help him with the sanding.
We just do it. My DD was 6 months and son was 2yrs when we bought our current house... we've had it two years next week, and so far we have replaced almost all the flooring (carpets to laminate wood)... painted every wall in the house (sometimes more than once, lol)... refinished the kitchen cabinets.. replaced all the appliances... replaced the toilets in both bathrooms, new flooring in both bathrooms, new sinks... god the list goes on and on and on.
Yeah, its hard with them constantly getting in the middle of everything.. but I am not one to sacrifice my living space because its difficult! When we are working on a particular room, we use baby gates and stern words of warning to keep them out. We try and give them an activity to do, close by but not in danger, and take turns taking breaks to work with them.. but in general, both hubby and I are able to work at the same time on any given project.
My one super important special secret? Unless I can close and lock the door to the room I am painting, I only paint at night when the kids are asleep. That way I never have to stress about them touching the drying paint, spilling it, walking through it... and its always dry by morning.
I have to say.. its the OUTSIDE projects that are the hardest. Building our fences... building the playground.. installing a gazebo.. landscaping.. those are projects that we found almost impossible to do with our kids because they are harder to corral and watch when outside, and they are projects that have to be done during the day so we didn't have the choice.
We dont have the luxury of family or friends to watch our kids.. and we cant really afford a babysitter because the projects are ongoing and cost enough as it is.. so.. we just.. make do! Its frustrating most of the time, but a huge pay off when its done.