I've thought a lot about this need to have a perfectly clean, organized home. Is this really benefiting my kids?
I crave organization. When I walk into a clean home, I instantly feel peace and relax. But, when I'm working all day long (or at least most of it) trailing after my two children, picking up toys as they are playing them (more like as they're throwing them down the hall in defiance!), I know something isn't right. Relaxation, peace, and tranquility definitely do not describe how I feel after this.
My job is not a maid. As much as I cannot stand the word (thanks to my feminsta past), I am a homemaker, and more importantly, a mother! The way my home feels matters so much more than what it looks like.
By no means am I giving up basic cleaning - three year-old's and the "potty" are a scary combination. But, I am striving to make peace with the endless mounds of scattered toys, undone laundry, and green play-doh permanently stuck to the Wal-Mart decor. Perfection, in terms of cleanliness, is just not a reality with small children.
Instead of rushing around trying to de-clutter the world (our world), I'll be snuggling up with my kids on our couch -perfectly comfy, though it's scarred from pen attacks and grape juice- reading Curious George and Dr. Seuss, while being grateful that I can be involved in this amazing process of parenting.
How do you keep balance?
