Household chores are made at least 3 times more difficult with babies and toddlers following your every move. Wow! It's a workout. What's more, they often make a bigger mess while they are "occupying themselves" than the one you are trying to clean. Now, they ought to learn to help, yes; but it takes some real work. My two year old son can wield a small sweeper and dustpan fairly well, but that did NOT happen overnight. I have swept, then re-swept while he "did it", and swept again after he tried to "help".
Do you know this craziness?
Well, hopefully this post can be a breath of fresh air.
If you knew me as a single woman, you would probably be appalled at my current house-keeping skills. Before I had kids, everything was in pristine order. There were pretty tablecloths, lace, and decorative (glass) items everywhere. The baseboards were clean. The walls were clean. Even the couch pillows were in order.
That all went out the window with the entrance of my first son into the world. Actually, even before he was born, due to how sick I was the entire pregnancy, I couldn't do much. Some days, I was in bed all day, unable to do anything at all. The first time I noticed dust on the bathroom sink, I was shocked and had to find a rag to wipe it off. But in time.... that didn't bother me. It's only dust, after all. Other things were much more important.
For obvious reasons, when you have a baby on the floor, the floor has to be kept clean. However, I would be the first to tell you that mine is not; at least not all the time. Have I found cockroaches in my son's hand? Oh yes, I have. (I still don't know where he found it, but it doesn't really matter.) Have my children smeared the baking soda that was soaking up a mess on the couch, all over the living room? Most definitely. Has my year old explorer somehow gotten in the bathroom and used the cat's litter for a sand box. -Today, actually!
Perhaps this makes your skin crawl. Perhaps you're thinking- wow, her house must be a mess! Perhaps you're wondering how I was raised, surely I know better.
Actually, I had a wonderful home growing up. My mom was a fabulous woman. She somehow kept the house clean, us children occupied- even learning, and made healthy meals. Sometimes I feel guilty, knowing how I was raised; but then I remind myself I don't have that kind of energy- I'm a different person. Other times, I know my mom would smile approvingly.
If you looked in my house, you might see:
My year old baby, sitting amongst a circle of toys, reaching in the toy box for another toy, just to set it down around him and reach for another. You would see me reading to the boys on the couch, or playing trains with them on the floor. Or, you would see me trying to concentrate and study outside on the porch, while the boys are dumping sand on each other's heads in the sand box. You would see the boys "helping" me make a hasty lunch of sandwiches or mac'n'cheese, because I forgot (again) while we were busy on the swings. You would see the boys jumping on the bed while I'm trying to rest. My toddler climbing to "jump on daddy" while daddy is trying to study language. They both love the game. You would see us cuddling as a family on the couch to play angry birds together, watch a movie, or just hang out.
Or you might see:
Dishes piled in the sink, and crumbs on the counter. Laundry that's been on the line for two days already. Toys scattered on the floor. Papers (that were our homework) lying haphazardly because my crawler discovered he could reach them. Rumpled couches. Dirty floors that only get mopped once a month. Shoes that are supposed to be lined up under the couch, are shoved randomly under the couch in every imaginable angle. Dust on the bathroom sink. A pile of dirty clothes on the floor in the bathroom where my son dropped them after getting dirty outside. Maybe the beds are made, but more likely, they are not.
It's your choice what you see. I made a choice with my boys, that I would spend time with them over cleaning house. Yes, the house WILL crawl if I don't get to it, but only after several days of neglect. Straightening the shoes can wait... my son won't need me to push his swing much longer. Laundry will be there tomorrow... but the boys won't want to snuggle for a story for ever.
If you're burdened or discouraged trying to keep house with little ones, relax. It will pass. They won't need mom someday. Today, take time to enjoy their hugs, smiles, and tears. And really, if the house isn't perfect, it's okay. It's more important that your home is filled with love and joy.
"...teach the young women... to love their husbands, to love their children, to be.... keepers at home." Titus 2:4&5
Do you know this craziness?
Well, hopefully this post can be a breath of fresh air.
If you knew me as a single woman, you would probably be appalled at my current house-keeping skills. Before I had kids, everything was in pristine order. There were pretty tablecloths, lace, and decorative (glass) items everywhere. The baseboards were clean. The walls were clean. Even the couch pillows were in order.
That all went out the window with the entrance of my first son into the world. Actually, even before he was born, due to how sick I was the entire pregnancy, I couldn't do much. Some days, I was in bed all day, unable to do anything at all. The first time I noticed dust on the bathroom sink, I was shocked and had to find a rag to wipe it off. But in time.... that didn't bother me. It's only dust, after all. Other things were much more important.
For obvious reasons, when you have a baby on the floor, the floor has to be kept clean. However, I would be the first to tell you that mine is not; at least not all the time. Have I found cockroaches in my son's hand? Oh yes, I have. (I still don't know where he found it, but it doesn't really matter.) Have my children smeared the baking soda that was soaking up a mess on the couch, all over the living room? Most definitely. Has my year old explorer somehow gotten in the bathroom and used the cat's litter for a sand box. -Today, actually!
Perhaps this makes your skin crawl. Perhaps you're thinking- wow, her house must be a mess! Perhaps you're wondering how I was raised, surely I know better.
Actually, I had a wonderful home growing up. My mom was a fabulous woman. She somehow kept the house clean, us children occupied- even learning, and made healthy meals. Sometimes I feel guilty, knowing how I was raised; but then I remind myself I don't have that kind of energy- I'm a different person. Other times, I know my mom would smile approvingly.
If you looked in my house, you might see:
My year old baby, sitting amongst a circle of toys, reaching in the toy box for another toy, just to set it down around him and reach for another. You would see me reading to the boys on the couch, or playing trains with them on the floor. Or, you would see me trying to concentrate and study outside on the porch, while the boys are dumping sand on each other's heads in the sand box. You would see the boys "helping" me make a hasty lunch of sandwiches or mac'n'cheese, because I forgot (again) while we were busy on the swings. You would see the boys jumping on the bed while I'm trying to rest. My toddler climbing to "jump on daddy" while daddy is trying to study language. They both love the game. You would see us cuddling as a family on the couch to play angry birds together, watch a movie, or just hang out.
 |
| Z, getting ready to unload the bookshelf. |
Or you might see:
Dishes piled in the sink, and crumbs on the counter. Laundry that's been on the line for two days already. Toys scattered on the floor. Papers (that were our homework) lying haphazardly because my crawler discovered he could reach them. Rumpled couches. Dirty floors that only get mopped once a month. Shoes that are supposed to be lined up under the couch, are shoved randomly under the couch in every imaginable angle. Dust on the bathroom sink. A pile of dirty clothes on the floor in the bathroom where my son dropped them after getting dirty outside. Maybe the beds are made, but more likely, they are not.
It's your choice what you see. I made a choice with my boys, that I would spend time with them over cleaning house. Yes, the house WILL crawl if I don't get to it, but only after several days of neglect. Straightening the shoes can wait... my son won't need me to push his swing much longer. Laundry will be there tomorrow... but the boys won't want to snuggle for a story for ever.
If you're burdened or discouraged trying to keep house with little ones, relax. It will pass. They won't need mom someday. Today, take time to enjoy their hugs, smiles, and tears. And really, if the house isn't perfect, it's okay. It's more important that your home is filled with love and joy.
"...teach the young women... to love their husbands, to love their children, to be.... keepers at home." Titus 2:4&5
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