the messy home – a mama’s archnemesis
We mamas are strong. There’s no two ways about it. If our kids are in danger, even the most timid and soft among us would walk through fire. I really don’t know why capes aren’t in fashion yet but I think we should bust them out now.
On the other hand, even Superman had kryptonite. There are a few things in a mama’s life that stand as worthy opponents – the kids’ manners, the snarky family members, the online shopping sprees. But of all these things, one thing will always stand out as a mama’s archnemesis: the messy house.
Oh man. We fight it so hard but it somehow always wins. It ticks us off so bad but we are never able to conquer it. The laundry, oh the laundry, the infinite number of toys that seem to go forth and multiply, the kitchen that still stinks even when we’ve searched far and wide for the culprit. We stand before it and look up at the giant staring down at us and feel like we have absolutely no chance at victory. We feel powerless, destined to fail.
Why? Even though we’re constantly cleaning, always moving, barely slowing down to catch our breath, how come it seems like we have nothing to show for it? Why are we consistently failing at this?
The answer lies in an assumption we make: in order to be successful, we must keep a clean home. It’s simple yet, well, impossible. I’ll tell you what that’s like. That’s like digging a hole in the sand by the seashore and walking back and forth with a bucket in an attempt to move the ocean into the hole you’ve dug. Sounds foolish, doesn’t it. It’ll never happen. By the time you walk to the shore, the sand in the hole will have soaked up most of the water in the hole. And let’s face it, the ocean is just way too big.
The good news is that the ocean doesn’t belong in the hole. The mistake is in thinking that it does. Mama, a messy house does not mean that you are a slob, it means that you have children. It means that your children have things to play with and play means development. It means that they are fed and clothed and thriving. When a mama fights to keep a super clean house all the time, something often gives – it might be her sanity, her health, her sleep.
This is what I’m telling you mama… If your house isn’t clean all the time, then you’re making the harder, right-er choice – the choice to let the laundry go a little further than you’d like because feeding them takes priority. The choice to let the toys clutter the room because you NEED to drink a tea for Just. Ten. Minutes. I’m not saying to not clean ever. I’m saying if you’re making a consistent effort, let the rest go. It’s okay.
So look around mama. Take a deep breath. And accept. You’re doing your best and your best is awesome!
This is a great message. Often we get caught up in things that really don’t matter, and just need to take a breath. Thanks for sharing!
??????I have 6 kids and no matter what I do, things are always out of place and messy! One day they will be grown and my.house can be clean, until then, I will enjoy them despite the mess?
Amen Darcy. I remind myself all the time that I will get a time that the house will be more clean and quiet. For now, I will try to see past the mess and enjoy as much as I can.
Yessss!!! I was just thinking this today. No matter what I do my house is filthy ??
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. My house is always a mess and I feel like all I ever do is clean. So thank you for this:)
So glad it was encouraging Lindsey. I totally hear you. Just know you are NOT alone.
Great post! I like my home to be organized but I realize it isn’t always possible. There’s always going to be something out of place and that’s ok!
LOVE that illustration! I’m sure I will think of it every time I look around at a messy house. It’s just inevitable it will never stay clean with three boys. And when the day comes that it does, I’m sure I’ll be sad. Thanks for the encouragement!
Yes Adriane! I totally relate to the knowing that it’ll be sad… Really trying to roll with it and enjoy as much as possible with my little ones right now.
As a mom of a toddler and a baby I really needed to hear this today. In this season, it’s totally normal to have a messy house. I’ve been working on chilling out some but some days I’m a work in progress!
I love this! It is always so frustrating to me that the mess seems never ending, but I know spending time with and taking care of my kids is more important, so I try to keep it in perspective
Just exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you!
So glad you liked it Heather! Go slay the day Mama!
It is nice to know that I’m not alone. Great article to remind all of the mommas of their true focus,..raising happy and healthy children.
Exactly! So often we’re so hard on ourselves. You got this Mama!
I think there’s also an assumption that everyone else is doing everything perfectly — perfect home, perfect kids, perfect body, perfect marriage. it’s just not true!