Entry FeedI was thinking of cleaning up the kitchen, but then thought - it will just get dirty tomorrow.
I used to envy those people with spotless homes. Then I realized that when you have children, unless you have child care and housekeeping help, it is really an impossibility. So you live with it! Every two weeks the cleaning lady comes, changes the beds, vacuums, does the bathrooms and the kitchen. This is enough to ensure that while we sometimes live in a mess, it is not "dirty."
Husband used to be the housekeeper. He did laundry, dishes, cleaned the bathroom and vacuumed. (Yes, Honey, I know you did the laundry and cleaned the kitchen today. Thank you! I love you!) But the more children we had, the less time we had to keep the house clean. And to be honest, our tolerance of mess increased.
In reality, we would both rather spend time with kids then cleaning. We have realized over the years how quickly they grow up, and while there may actually be clothes on the floor and dishes in the sink until they move out, who really cares? And if someone really cared about our house instead of us, well, no need to visit!
Real life isn't always perfect and neat. I think it helps the kids have a realistic view of life - real people don't have someone else to do everything for them; either you do it yourself, or it doesn't get done.
Sure, we have a cleaning lady. If we didn't live in our house, it would look great. Unfortunately, within an hour of her leaving, you can't tell that she was here. It doesn't help that we live in one of these wonderful old Toronto homes with ZERO storage. And kids just have so much stuff!
Our living room is full of hockey equipment "airing" out. At least Husband keeps his in the garage, but the boys stuff is in the living room. I asked once about keeping it in the laundry room between games, but Husband explained that he doesn't want the boys dragging their bags down the stairs and knocking the walls. Good point.
The kids are learning to help, but they could do more. Every now and then to "motivate" them I threaten to follow up their cleaning efforts with a garbage bag. Sometimes Husband actually does when they are in school. (Shhh - that's a secret!)
One day I will have a neat home. But it is not today. Probably not tomorrow either. Give me about 18 years.
If you want to visit our house, please come every second week after our cleaning lady has been here. If you want to visit us, please come anytime. Just ignore the mess.
My favourite sayings are:
1) If you draw in the dust please don't date it.
2) My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
We live in a real house too. I try to make sure it is "clean" and we have reasonable escape routes in the event of fire. Other then that, my daughter tells me if it is too tidy then it just doesn't feel like home, it feels like an ad for furniture.