This post is brought to you by iRobot. While this was a sponsored opportunity, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Friends, I had a meltdown the other day.
A full-on lock myself in the bathroom, ugly crying, snotty tissues meltdown.
It had been a day. My stress level was off the charts, thanks to a to-do list that just kept getting longer.
After the umpteenth thing didn’t go according to plan that day, I lost it.
Later that day after licking my wounds, Grunt and I pulled out our calendars to plan out the rest of the summer and see about squeezing in one more fun trip with our girl.
It became quickly apparent that we didn’t have as much free time as we thought we did this summer.
Add to that, the previously mentioned to-do list and it became abundantly clear to me – time is fleeting and especially the summer.
It was then I also realized my never-ending to-do list means nothing. There’s not a thing on it that’s really all that important in the grand scheme of things.
What is important is making sure I spend every possible second I can during these special summer days with my best girl. She’s growing – fast, and I want to be stress-free and present for her, not a slave to my to-do list.
Cleaning the house is a constant on my to-do list. It’s always a hot mess and I just don’t have that much time to clean it. One thing I’m able to cross off my to-do list now though, without leaving my seat I might add, is vacuuming the floors.
Meet Greta. She’s an iRobot® Roomba® i7+. And she is a godsend.
For the first time, in a loooong time, I’m actually ok not putting on my house shoes when I first get up in the morning – because my floors are no longer always covered with dirt, crumbs and other questionable debris.
Greta vacuums every flooring surface clean: wood, tile, carpet, rugs – everything. The Roomba i7+ has Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes that are flexible so they hug every type of floor surface. They were also made to stand up to hair – it doesn’t get tangled in the Roomba. With a dog and two girls with long hair that both shed like a dog, that’s important stuff, folks.
When I’m ready for Greta to clean, all I have to do open up the iRobot HOME App on my phone and hit clean.
The Roomba i7+ has Imprint™ Smart Mapping Technology, so after running a few times, she mapped out my floor plan all on her own. All I had to do was go in and name the rooms. With the floor plan in place, I have the option to choose to have Greta clean certain areas, rather than the whole house. I don’t even have to be home for her to clean, I can open up the app anywhere and put her to work. You can also opt to set up a cleaning schedule to have your Roomba clean on certain days and times.
Greta also cleans up after herself. She automatically empties her bin into a disposable bag that holds 30 bins of dirt, dust and hair.
I don’t have to think about vacuuming for weeks at a time. That means more time for my best girl.
If you need us, we’ll be by the pool this summer soaking in the sunshine and sweetness of being seven – and telling the to-do list exactly where it can go….
From now until 6/29, you can save $150 off the same Roomba i7+ I have – find it here!
You can also save on other select floor cleaning robots thru 6/29 as well – that robot mop is going at the top of my wish list!
I’ll be reporting back in a month or so about how my Roomba is doing – leave any questions you’d like answered in the comments below!
Lisa A. says
You are a wonderful Momma Jenna. When she is grown and you hear her reminisce about all the wonderful memories you are creating as a family your heart will melt – she will never remember how clean her house was – you will have years to keep your house clean and be on top of that “to do” list when she is off on her own – This is the time that matters as it will be gone before you know it and summer is so short. When my kids were little they got their fall school room placement in a letter in the mail halfway through the summer. My heart would sink the minute I saw it in the mail and I would panic thinking – WE HAVE NOT EVEN MADE IT HALFWAY THROUGH OUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST! So I would hide it and not even look at it as long as I could put it off. – RELAX –
Jenna says
Thank you so much, Lisa. ☺️ You are too sweet. I totally know what you mean – I was thinking the same thing about our summer bucket list when we looked at our calendars too. And we aren’t even halfway through June!
Gordona Snow says
I like your ideas😎
Mikki says
I agree! You’re a GREAT mom. When you remember growing up, what stands out most in your mind? The clean house or the fun times? It will be the same for “The Circus”.
I would LOVE to have a Roomba, I’m just afraid it would turn into a VERY expensive chew toy. I have a German Shepherd. She might try to eat it and there’s really on one way to find out. 🙂
Jenna says
Thanks, Mikki! 😊 Totally agree – the fun times always stand out! I totally get it about the Roomba possibly becoming a chew toy. We have a lab and I would be afraid she might go after ours if left alone with it. I just make sure she’s not in the same room with it when it’s running. 🙂
Linda says
I’m so glad you realized that “To Do” list means absolutely NOTHING. I call it my “As I have time I should do” list. Works just as well!. BTW, I don’t have $1000 to buy a Roomba but it sounds delightful.
Jenna says
I think I like the way you title your list, Linda! I’m going to steal that one!!
Pam says
I love how you have your priorities straight! No other one person will have the influence on her life as you do – sounding a bit heavy, aren’t I?? But from 7 to about 11 was the very best age (to me) when my daughter was there. When she had her 9th b’day, we agreed we’d still party, etc….but she would stay 9. I suppose I’m glad she didn’t, but I still remember it with fondness~
So just stay in the pool til you’re both prunes….then teach her how to program the Roomba!! Enjoy! 🙂
Jenna says
hahaha!! I love it, Pam! This is such a fun age – I don’t think I realized just how fun it would be!
Abby Lawson says
Ahhh I think I need a Greta in my life! I have been thinking about getting a Roomba for a while now but was never sure if they actually worked! I think you’ve convinced me! Enjoy your summer time with your sweet girl!
~Abby =)
Jenna says
Oh, it works really well, Abby! I was concerned about the same thing, but have been really surprised at just how well it does work! With those boys, you definitely need one!
Morena says
I used to have a Roomba and miss it so much! Thanks for sharing this great deal! Completely agree…less time cleaning means more time for fun with the kids. ❤️
Jenna says
It makes such a huge difference, doesn’t it?! Love, love, love mine!
Jamie says
Oh my gosh, I need this in my life! I was just freaking out about how I’m going to get my work done let alone clean the house when the kids are at home this summer! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Jamie
Jenna says
Girl, I know – me too!! This is a godsend!
Lauren says
I feel ya girl. I have similar meltdowns too. I love that her name is “Greta”. Haha! I so desperately need one of these. Do you know if it will drive over doorway thresholds though? That’s always my struggle. Our flooring transitions are so uneven from room to room I’m afraid to buy one and then it will only work in one room at a time.
Jenna says
Yes! It will go over thresholds – we have some serious transitions in our flooring as well and it goes right over them. 🙂
April Hoff says
She is growing up so fast, and she’s lucky to have you as her Momma! I’m glad you’re putting the to-do off to the side for the summer! I need a Roomba in my life…going to check it out!
Michelle James says
Oh wow! This looks like such a time saver! I love how easy it looks. Totally on my Christmas list 🙂
Ellen says
I’ve been leery to invest in a Roomba due to the fact we have 2 sets of stairs. It sure would be a lifesaver though!
Jennifer says
I love that you name it! I’ve been intrigued by these for a while. May have to get one. Thanks for sharing at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home! –Jennifer