Why I Bother to Clean the House
Sometimes I sigh in exasperation and I have to ask myself, "What is the point of cleaning?"
These days I may clean my house as fast and terrible as a tornado, but at the end of the day my home is just as messy (or worse!) as it started. There are toys strewn across the living room, crumbs on the kitchen floor, and a nice yellow puddle sitting on the back of the toilet where somebody thought aiming was over-rated. This is motherhood with two little boys.
Why? Why do I even bother to clean?
Well, the answer to that is easy. I clean because it's important to me to start over. Instead of living in an abundance of filth, we're just living in a thin layer of it. I clean because I want it to take me just 20 minutes to mop the kitchen floor instead of 40 or 60 minutes. And I clean, well, because it's in my blood; those OCD clean tendencies are tough to kick. (Thanks, Mom!)
Sometimes when Bron walks through the door in the evening I feel like I need to tell him all of the productive things I did that day, as if to justify that I really am doing my job! I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, I washed two loads of laundry, I took out the trash, I made the bed. And look! There's dinner cooking on the stove. And as an added bonus, the kids are still alive and I didn't even yell at them all day long. We actually had fun. Aren't I A-MAZZZING? And that's when I wish he'd sweep me off my feet because he's so impressed, but really, all I'm looking for is a little appreciation and validation. As wonderful and rewarding as being a stay-at-home mom is, I sometimes feel like I'm walking around in circles.
So to all you other mamas out there struggling to do it all and be everything to everyone in your life, I'm in your corner. I totally understand. You are amazing, even if no one but you sees all that hard work.
I struggle with this all the time! I feel like I live in grossness all the time but cleaning is almost impossible.
ReplyDeleteO my gosh, I do the SAME thing when Kev gets home and the house is a re-mess- I always explain to him how much time I spent cleaning ha
ReplyDeleteI spent my entire afternoon cleaning one day last week. The house looked good. Kyle came home and said this is the cleanest the house has been in a while. I was unsure how to take that... either I've been slacking on my domestic duties, or he really was praising me for a job well done. ;) I thought it was funny. And honestly, it was probably both statements he was referring to. But yes, it is a constant, never ending chore that is so exhausting, and often goes un-noticed.
ReplyDeleteDont forget you also update a blog and have a photography business so you are superwoman! My house is not spotless and it will never be spotless. I also use paper plates for meals. Your dad use to complain about that, but you know what? I work a full time job. I have to do homework, maintain the house, support kids at their activities so if using paper plates at meals (not all) gives me a little more time then so be it!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - I do the same thing when my husband gets home! It seems like even if I spend the whole day cleaning, my toddler just follows me around undoing everything I've done. Thanks for this post, though - it's nice to have a reminder of why we do it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh!! Two weeks ago I ended up spending my entire weekend cleaning the house and getting it immaculate. Then, my son and I came down with a week long flu/head cold/virus, and the house looked like a tornado went through it in less than a day. I'm always reminding my husband about what I do--I did two loads of laundry, folded them, and put them away; I went through all the mail and took care of the bills; I vacuumed the upstairs, etc. I think it's in our blood to feel validated. When my husband does something around the house, he tells me too; sometimes he even feels the need to wake me up and tell me--I just did the dishes at 11 p.m. So funny! I love this post!
ReplyDeleteAmen to ALL of that! And you are so much better than me because I usually have yelled at the kids at some point that day. ;) But yes, amen to all of it! Haha! Thank you for writing this.
ReplyDeleteLove this one, Jessie. Thanks for being honest and real! I'm sure all three of your guys truly appreciate everything you do. :)
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