I am a neat freak (I blame my mother). Not the kind who spends her entire day cleaning (although I do spend the better part of it that way). Instead I look at all the things I need or would like to get done, but can't; and stew about it. The other night I admitted to Mark that I could spend the entire day cleaning, and still find something that was left undone. He dutifully informed me that that was no way to live. Agreed. Which is why I am trying to change. My children deserve more. My husband deserves more. I deserve more.
So one (of many) resolution I have this year is to find a balance. I simply will not be happy if there is not some measure of order to my home. But when I am "busy" and my children want me to join in a game, I most certainly will try to accept. Now, the hard part is not putting a stop to the dishes or laundry, that I do often. The trick for me is not letting it effect my mood. Not counting down the seconds until I can return to those smelly dishes or unfolded clothes, but relish in the moment I am having with my marvelous children. Sounds easy enough, but for me it is going to be hard.
Having said that, let me recap my morning for you, it was fabulous! I asked my little ones to help pick up a few things since we would be having guests this evening. To my pleasant surprise they not only agreed, but asked if they could clean the walls. Uh, yeah! Then they moved to the floor boards, then the kitchen chairs, then the fridge, then the dishwasher, the banister, etc. I even heard them say things like "This is fun!" and "We should do this ever day!" You can pick your jaw up now. The cleaning only really lasted about 20 minutes. After all, they are 6,4, and 2. But it was the best 20 min. of my life! Or at least the day anyway. I certainly don't want my children to end up obsessed like me, so I didn't push. But it was a welcomed change. Now if only their vigor could rub off on Mark..
Now, to anyone who visits my home and finds it less than perfect; just remember it's because I was playing slap jack with my kids, and loving it!!
School Carnival
6 years ago
3 comments:
Kids will never remember how clean the house was. They will remember mom! To avoid the constant cleaning we try to major clean one area a day and the girls have to put away there own laundry and clean their rooms everynight before bed (ideally). Good luck with your new years goal!
I know exactly what you are talking about! A couple of years ago with one of my children I guess I kept saying, "just a min.." and it started to bug her of course! Then when I would ask her to do something she would tell me, just a minute. Sometimes it is overwhelming to think of all the things we should or want to be doing. Sometimes we do just have to live in that moment. Our fun game from christmas has been "BopIt"
I am exactly like you. I know that it is more important to e playing with my kids but I just feel like I can't realax until certian things are done. It will be something we forever work on I suppose.
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