It certainly never was my intention. I was just throwing out thoughts that occurred to me as I read what you wrote. I would never intentionally hurt someone's feelings here because I know what squalor feels like. I also know what climbing OUT of squalor feels like. I don't want to squash someone down who is trying to climb up.

I don't know....it just hit me when I was reading...if all they do is dust, vacuum, mop, wipe down counters, make beds, and clean toilets....well....couldn't you and your husband and your kids do that? You could break it down into small increments. Even your older kids can dust and wipe counters with a sponge, or run a small "pickup" broom. It just seems that, you're already running around picking stuff up to prepare for the "cleaning crew"...you're picking up clutter that would be in their way anyway....why waste that energy in picking up for them when you could go just an extra step and put it away and mop the floor? In saying that, I certainly don't mean to offend you and I don't want you to take it wrong...it's just a matter of looking at it with "new eyes". You're already working...why not make it work that will make you feel really good about yourself and what you've accomplished?

To do anything, you just take babysteps....little steps....one little thing at a time until it is all done. I know it is hard to make oneself do something like that....trust me. I totally understand. My ADD brain can find ten thousand other things to do other than clean, or while I am cleaning. I just finally got to the place where I want to do it for ME, and that has replaced any feelings of wanting to do it for my husband so he'll shut up, or for my parents so they'll leave me alone, or for whatever reason. I want a clean house.

I sincerely apologize for any hurt or problems I might have caused you. If having a cleaning service makes you happy, I am not one to say otherwise. I apologize.