A mom I met online is coming to my house for a play date tomorrow. We have one mutual friend, but for all intents and purposes, we are internet friends. Over the years, she has seen my house tidied and styled in sweet little squares (you can hide a lot with the right angle and filter), but in anticipation of our real-life encounter, I warned her that things probably won’t be too clean when she rolls in.
I joked that some rooms might just be off-limits
She laughed — I think it was in the “I totally get you, girl” kind of way, but I really hope she doesn’t judge my half clean floors. In fact, from where I’m writing I can see mac 'n' cheese glued to the floor under my toddler’s chair. So gross.
I'm definitely not a clean freak, but I do like things tidy and I can't stand a sticky kitchen counter. But, despite my best efforts, I'm certain I have the dirtiest house on the block. Is it just the nature of having young children? Or have I yet to figure out the right cleaning schedule? Maybe all these extra clean homes have a housecleaner to tame their dirt and grime? What am I missing?
Yes, I clean
Often. But it doesn’t really seem to put a dent in what six people can do, in regard to daily clutter and messes. Sometimes I blame it on the fact that we don't have a dog to nibble up fallen food, but I know it's more likely that I can't bring myself to sweep more than once a day. I even have a robot vacuum, but still, the floors seem to need a lot of attention around here.
I also have three young boys, so you can imagine the state of the kids' bathroom. Moms of boys, do you have any hints here? Because I’m all ears. Like, ALL EARS. And the toothpaste situation? How does it end up everywhere?
Oh, and if you see the remnants of a slobbery face on the mirror, that is most likely from my preschooler — he likes to lick things.
We play outside a lot and that results in leaves and dirt being traipsed through the downstairs with coats and boots littered along the way. There used to be a coat hook in the mud room, but the little boys used it as a rock climbing apparatus of sorts and pulled it out of the wall and I’ve yet to fix that. So, in case you’re curious about the pile of coats and holes in the wall, that’s the story there.
Laundry is never done and beds are made in a haphazard fashion. Kids. Again. They’re learning, but they’re not perfect. There are kiss marks on the windows and, OMG, that might be booger smear too. I swear, I buy tissues, but the boys are still working on that.
Let’s not even get started on the hidden filth
Like the bottom of my oven. Or underneath the fridge. I read a week-by-week cleaning schedule recently and it broke down all these things you’re supposed to do on a semi-regular basis. Like, unscrewing all your vents and washing them in warm water. FOR REAL?! I maybe point my vacuum wand in that direction once a year, but hand wash them? Never have I ever.
See? Surely, I have the dirtiest house on the block.
Do I dream of a pristine, super clean home? I do. I truly do.
But, for now, I've come to peace with the fact that I’m in the season of cleaning up as much as I can and leaving the judgy moms to someone else's friend list.
Don’t mind dust bunnies and stepping over a toy or 10? Then come on in!
