The In-laws are Coming to Town?

Answer 1

PREPARING FOR THE PREFECT VISIT WITH YOUR IN-LAWSGuess Who is Coming for a VisitYou've just returned from the market with a car full of groceries and your list of things to do this weekend is a mile long. The kid's laundry needs to be done, the bathrooms have been on your list for two weeks, the dog is sick, and the voice-mail light is flashing. It's your mother in-law calling to say they will be in town and planning a visit, tomorrow. You look around the house and see a new pile of dog vomit on the floor and poke yourself to see if this is all real. It is as real as it gets.

Pulling it Together

You make an instant realization that there is no time to waste and start to make a list of things to do in your mind. The realization is that this is not going to happen without you feeling like a failure in front of your in-laws. Do you know that there are hundreds of teenagers looking for jobs and ways to earn money at the age of fourteen and fifteen? You are about to hire some of them. Start calling friends with teenagers that can help. Find two or three that are available to come over right away. Next you want to make a list of things to do. Only address the most important issues. Get that laundry out of the way, clean the bathrooms, dust the furniture, get the floors mopped and vacuum the carpets. Don't forget about the doggie vomit stains.

Planning for The Visit

Once your teen cleaning crew arrives, give them each a list and get them started. The kitchen is all yours. While putting the groceries away, wipe down the refrigerator and decide what you will serve for a meal. Work on cleaning and shining up the appliances and breath, they won't catch you unprepared! Forget about baking a dessert, you can always hit the bakery. Make sure your best dishes are spiffy and ready for use and that all of the glasses are spot free.

Now That Wasn't so Bad, Was it

Keep an eye on the teen cleaning crew and make sure their jobs are coming together. Within two or three hours, your whole to do list should be about done. Your home is spotless, the laundry is washed, folded and put away, the bathrooms are shining and you have a meal planned. You may want to consider having the teens in on a weekly basis.