Here’s the part I dislike about having my house as clean as it is today:
I turn into Crazy Mommy.
DON’T BRING YOUR TOYS INTO THE LIVING ROOM!
WHY WOULD YOU PLAY IN THE RAIN AND THEN WALK ACROSS THE LIVING ROOM!
ETC.ETC.ETC!
I would like to achieve a place of balance. If it wasn’t so rare an occasion, maybe I wouldn’t freak so much about keeping it this way.
I do know that even people whose homes are always neat probably freak a little on the days they are having parties. I just don’t want my kids to associate a clean house with a mean mom.
Ok, do you have a secret camera hidden in my house? One of the things I hate the most about my slovenly ways is that I turn into a monster when I know company is coming. I yell, I accuse, I criticize 🙁 I am responsible for my children's sloppy ways, but I make them feel terrible when I am in clean up mode. I'm sure they must have mixed emotions when I tell them company is coming. Something like "Yippee! Company!!" combined with "OH NO, MOM'S GONNA TURN INTO THAT MONSTER LADY!!"
I hate when I say to my kids, “It’s time to clean.” And they respond, “Who’s coming over?”
My kids grew up hearing that. I’m doing better more (not perfect) but it makes me sad that they never got to experience the better me.
I’m so glad to read this! I seriously thought I was going to need therapy because I feel so tense with everyone because I’m trying to stay so focused on my chores. Thank God I’m not alone!
Nony/ Dana
Do you still feel this way now that cleaning and keeping your house clean is more of a habit? Do you still go into crazy mom mode trying to keep dirt out?
I have no kids but a husband that can do the work of 2. I found black hand prints that magic erasor had a hard time with (hot paper towls with dawn slaped on the walls worked when I remembed to return).
It has definitely gotten better. My perspective has changed so much, and perfection is no longer even a goal.
I am here. At this same point in my journey.
Company coming this weekend. Exhausted. But pleased with how things are looking.
Last night, I nearly snapped at my 14yo because a dirty dish was put in my nice clean sink instead of the dishwasher. Instead I should be celebrating that the dirty dish made it to the sink jin the first place!
It’s a challenge to find the proper perspective.
It’s not under the couch laundry pile, or the dirty dishes, or the regurgitated mailbox contents that reside on the kitchen table. I know perspective isn’t there, as those no longer exist.
Actually, those nonexistent places ARE when I find perspective. Hmmmmmm.
Hoping to find that same perspective soon, as far as the people go.
Maybe I just need to scrub them!!