Making the Messy Life Less Messy

When the kids were small, I thought life was messy. The diapers, spit-up, and laundry were overwhelming. I imagined how things would get better as the kids grew up.

That was true for some families, but not for ours. Most days around here are still full of messes. Many different types of messes. Our daughter wears adult disposable briefs. Though she can use the toilet, she also has accidents.

One of our big messy times is when our daughter poops in her pants. We have found that putting a big trash bag or “pee pad” underneath when we change her keeps that part of the mess contained. You can just roll it all up and put it in to another bag or diaper pail. I keep everything I need close at hand. The wipes, scissors, clean pullups, paper towels, and “pee pads” all right next to the toilet.

The bed is another place that is very hard to keep clean. A waterproof, zippered mattress cover is a must. I also keep extra blankets and lots of extra towels close by. (It is worth spending a little extra money on having spare linens.) Try to get some extra mattress pads. No one has time to wait on laundry in the middle of the night.

That brings up another important item. This one is a big purchase, but in my opinion very important: a washing machine and dryer. With the accidents in the bed and wheelchair, I would not know what to do without the washer.

Disposable gloves are another must. They are not cheap, but I found some pretty good prices on these online. I believe some health insurance pays for gloves. Make sure and check with your carrier.

I try my best to find routines and good diaper pails to keep my home clean and odor free!

Talking with other parents that have kids with disabilities is a great way to share new ideas and stories about a messy life and how to manage it.