“Stick House” Transition
Apr 05 2010
Tom doesn’t remember this, but I certainly do: We were warned by other RVers that when we moved back into a “stick house” (home without wheels) we would have some misgivings.
I really did not believe that, especially after we had hit our one-year mark living in the RV. After all, five people sharing 400 sq feet is cozy to say the least. At times I couldn’t wait to get back in to a regular house—to have more than one bathroom, kitchen space to cook, and my own closet!
Well, here we are now living in a 4,300 sq ft house with 5 bathrooms (yes, 5!). It was way more than we wanted, but that’s for another blog. When we moved in from the RV, we still did not have all our household goods, so we dragged in our RV mattresses and set up camp in our bedrooms.
It didn’t take long before the kids were dragging their mattresses into the master bedroom. (A little loneliness blamed on strange noises.) Soon it came time to do a little house cleaning. Oh, how I miss having only one bathroom!
Now that the household goods have arrived we are in more chaos just trying to find places for all these things. Yes, life was more simple living in an RV. But we are determined to take our RV way of living with us to our stick house.
I realize I don’t need so many clothes just because the closet is bigger. And we’re already in the habit of taking shorter showers.
My dilemma now is how to clean this monster house as quickly as I cleaned the RV. Any suggestions?
My suggestion is from a mother of many who lives in a big house.
Each child is responsible for cleaning his/her own room & BATHROOM.
Older children take turns vacumning other parts of house. It is good experience. Ones that like being outdoors can be responsible for the yard work, deck sweeping, etc.
Each child stripes the bedding off their bed on their given day.
Mom handles the washing but only returns the bedding to the bed. The child makes their own bed.
Once a week ‘inspection’ is held. Demerits given for failure to perform. Demerits equal doing unpleasant jobs like washing car, emptying garbage cans, etc. So many demerits for each particular job.
Worked well for me. Rewards were not monetary….money is not something given for doing household chores. That is part of being a family.
Have enjoyed reading your blog. Your family certainly had a dream come true for a year of travel. Children will have those memories all their life! A wonderful family gift!
Good luck in settling down and learning how to become an
American! (that for the children…living foreign makes for a tough adjustment!) BK
WOW that is a big house! You need that big of a house for all the company you will have! You are right I would hate to have to clean that big of a house but then you have three children that I am sure are willing and eager to help.
I will try to give you a call this weekend. You are much harder to reach now that you are in a “stick house”.