Take this photo, multiply it by another 6 rooms and you've got a reasonable facsimile of our home.
My entire house is a wake of Gretchen's toy flinging wrath and it can't be stopped. Some days I really struggle with trying to clean every single moment of my waking life, but sometimes I know that I just need to let it go and let it be.
Tonight I said to my partner, "Please tell me it's not imperative that I clean the entire house right now." He replied, "It's not imperative. I'll help you tomorrow." I often need to be told that I can relax -- that I'm allowed some time to just sit and be on my own, without some task that needs to be accomplished rightthatmomentohmygoodness.
Mamas need time to chill out & I really need to remember that more often.
Do you ever feel like you can't stop DOING things? That you can't allow yourself some time to relax & recharge?
Perhaps that can be my 2010 resolution -- making time for myself & not worrying that the dishes have piled up or that I can still see dirt under the couch.
I want to look back at these years and know that I did my best to spend quality time at home with my daughter and not that I spent her baby years worrying about piles of laundry and cobwebs.
Time is fleeting, as they say, and I want to make the most of it.
7 comments:
I remember the toy-flinging stage. What helped me was to put away all but three of the toys. My little ones had no clue and I spent less time looking at carnage. And, yes, mamas DO need time to chill out, with regularity. I've just accepted the fact that my house won't be tidy for at least another 12 years or so. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
When I think back at being a kid I do not remember the level of cleanliness of my home (though I am sure it was spotless cause my mom is a neat freak nazi). What I do remember is the time I spent with my mom making crafts, going to the park etc etc etc. So yeah...toy chaos and dust bunnies can just wait :D
Its so true! We/I feel everything has to be done right away, laundry, dishes, restocking diapers, food, etc that I have to remember to sit down and enjoy my little boy right now in this moment. I'm with ya, its a tough thing to remember!! Yes, we must all take time for us!!
My house looks the same, come for a visit and you'll see for yourself! You're certainly not alone. With the 3 pets too it's hard to keep the fur off of everything - but I would rather spend time with the babe then worry about cleaning. Kids don't notice the mess like adults do, so as long as everyone's happy, that's what matters :)
Laura Kipnis wrote this awesome critique of femininity in which she made the case that women oppress themselves with too high a standard for cleanliness. With her in heart, I've made the rule that I only pick up toys once per day. I only sweep twice per week. That way I have time to write and I don't get made when I see books being hurled across the room. So far so good.
Thanks for the support guys -- you're fantastic & I'm definitely feeling better!
JJ Keith -- I'll have to find that critique! Do you know where I can read it?
It really is so hard to remember, but it feels just as good to spend your days lovin' on your baby rather than slaving on the floor trying to grab every last dust bunny (which I just did for the last 30 minutes, and man do I feel like I wasted that time!) :)
I think if you have a baby/toddler you are exempt from keeping a tidy house!
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