cleaning seems pointless at times.
To anyone who has, or has had, small children living in her house- do you ever wonder why you bother to clean?
I am expecting six wonderful house guests this weekend. I am so excited to see them and can't wait for our time together, but my house isn't quite so ready to receive them. With Drew needing extra attention for the past couple of days and spending most of his time in my arms, I've not stayed on top of things as much as I normally do and there are toys, books, and in-progress art projects all over the house. The kids have had a blast playing with all of the Christmas items I got out of the garage on Wednesday, but now the decorations can be found everywhere and in some pretty funny places. There was a Santa figurine in my diaper bag and a snowman on top of the toilet paper this morning.
I have baskets of clean laundry to put away. The kids' rooms look like a tornado hit. Gracie has to take a favorite picture book to school today. While searching for just the right book, she took at least a hundred books off of the book shelves in her and Luke's room. Luke wanted to make pajamas for his stuffies, so he found every wash cloth and dish rag in the house to use as fabric.
(Side note- I may sound like I'm complaining, but honestly, 95% of the time I don't mind the mess. They play so well that I accept the untidiness as part of having two imaginative little kids. And they have learned to pick up after themselves when asked. It is definitely not a habit yet, but they can put everything where it goes with a little supervision. I only get bothered by the mess on the occasions when I really would like a clean house for a while, usually when we are expecting guests.)
So....I woke up this morning full of energy. I made my coffee, turned on music, and cleaned for two straight hours while Drew supervised from his swing and napped and Gracie and Luke ate breakfast, bathed, and watched a cartoon. I felt really good about things and thought I could spend the rest of the day a little more relaxed knowing the house was clean. (clean enough, anyway.)
And then in the span of an hour while I showered, nursed Drew, and prepared lunch, my two lovely children undid most of the tidying I had done. Looking at the playroom, someone would have a hard time believing it has just been clean. Then, while eating lunch, Luke somehow got most of his meal on the floor and my newly mopped kitchen floors didn't look so spiffy anymore- and after a hurried trip to the restroom, Luke also made my mopped bathroom floor not quite as clean either!
I can only sigh.
My dad has told me a couple of times that he enjoys seeing toys out at his house. He says he welcomes the mess because the house sometimes feels a little too quiet and clean now after having three kids in the house for 20+ years.
I realize that there will someday be day when a room I clean will stay clean for longer than an hour.
I also realize that when that day comes, I will probably look back on a day like today with longing.
I am expecting six wonderful house guests this weekend. I am so excited to see them and can't wait for our time together, but my house isn't quite so ready to receive them. With Drew needing extra attention for the past couple of days and spending most of his time in my arms, I've not stayed on top of things as much as I normally do and there are toys, books, and in-progress art projects all over the house. The kids have had a blast playing with all of the Christmas items I got out of the garage on Wednesday, but now the decorations can be found everywhere and in some pretty funny places. There was a Santa figurine in my diaper bag and a snowman on top of the toilet paper this morning.
I have baskets of clean laundry to put away. The kids' rooms look like a tornado hit. Gracie has to take a favorite picture book to school today. While searching for just the right book, she took at least a hundred books off of the book shelves in her and Luke's room. Luke wanted to make pajamas for his stuffies, so he found every wash cloth and dish rag in the house to use as fabric.
(Side note- I may sound like I'm complaining, but honestly, 95% of the time I don't mind the mess. They play so well that I accept the untidiness as part of having two imaginative little kids. And they have learned to pick up after themselves when asked. It is definitely not a habit yet, but they can put everything where it goes with a little supervision. I only get bothered by the mess on the occasions when I really would like a clean house for a while, usually when we are expecting guests.)
So....I woke up this morning full of energy. I made my coffee, turned on music, and cleaned for two straight hours while Drew supervised from his swing and napped and Gracie and Luke ate breakfast, bathed, and watched a cartoon. I felt really good about things and thought I could spend the rest of the day a little more relaxed knowing the house was clean. (clean enough, anyway.)
And then in the span of an hour while I showered, nursed Drew, and prepared lunch, my two lovely children undid most of the tidying I had done. Looking at the playroom, someone would have a hard time believing it has just been clean. Then, while eating lunch, Luke somehow got most of his meal on the floor and my newly mopped kitchen floors didn't look so spiffy anymore- and after a hurried trip to the restroom, Luke also made my mopped bathroom floor not quite as clean either!
I can only sigh.
My dad has told me a couple of times that he enjoys seeing toys out at his house. He says he welcomes the mess because the house sometimes feels a little too quiet and clean now after having three kids in the house for 20+ years.
I realize that there will someday be day when a room I clean will stay clean for longer than an hour.
I also realize that when that day comes, I will probably look back on a day like today with longing.
Comments
But if you're lucky, you will have beautifull grandchildren to remind you that life is not about having order in your house.
Toys on the shelf get lonely, and naps can not be fully appreciated unless you are tired.
Savor the chaos, because peace and quiet is way over-rated.
Looking forward to your visit next week!!
Dad.
I can't really relate yet...the only person I can blame for a messy place is Will (because, clearly, I never make messes!)but I do think that Trace Adkins says it best- "You're gonna miss this".
That song ALWAYS makes me teary eyed!