I don't know how you can be any different. I have the same issue. And my family certainly does not go crazy to clean before we come visit for a few days! It just seems like I want them to feel like the home is clean and there is plenty of space for their stuff. However, in the end, I don't think they really care as long as they can spend time with the kids.

I vacuum, mop, dust, sweep, scour the bathrooms, clean the flower beds, straighten the rooms, etc because I want to look like I have a handle on things and my MIL said one time after I cleaned that the house looked less cluttered -- so after that statement, I wanted to do a better job the next time. My husband jokes, "Who's coming over today?" whenever I clean - so guests give me a deadline to get the house looking like it should every week.

Alice Osborn, MA
www.aliceosborn.com

I'm a clean freak when people are coming to visit or stay. I don't want people to feel uncomfortable in my home because it's dirty.

I don't mind toys here and there, but I thoroughly dust, vacuum, scrub all bathrooms, clean closets, make beds and mop floors. I had my son baptized last weekend and had a bunch of family coming into town. I spent a great deal of time the week before on my hands and knees cleaning the grout in my tile kitchen floor.

But, like I said, I'm a freak.

I clean for guests. In fact, I joke that my cleaning strategy is to invite people over a lot.

I don't think I'd go so far as to organize closets, though. I figure if a guest decides to open a closet (aside from the one in the guest room, of course), they've earned the avalanche of random crap that will rain down on them, sitcom-like.

Well, my guests are here and we all survived my cleaning frenzy. Although, with seven kids now here, you can't even see the floor anymore, anyway!

hope the visit went well. seven kids?!

now it's my turn. my aunt and uncle are visiting from out of town and the bathroom is a complete mess.

its better we clean our carpets on weekends or before any special occasion so the guests who visits our home can have a good impression.
Carpet Cleaning

It really depends on the family or friends that are coming lol My MIL and my parents I just tidy up. My SIL and FIL I'm the cleaning like a crazy woman, making my family crazy in the process kind of person - like yeah the closets have to be clean too type thing. If it's MOPS friends, I just make sure it's vac., bathroom is clean and floor is mopped. They all understand LOL Friends from around the neighborhood I'd want the house spotless probably.

Sarah ~ mother of 5, blessed wife of 10 years
Crossroads MOPS (for moms of children infant-kindergarten)
http://crossroadsmops.net