It took some convincing. Hiring a house cleaner, that is. I wasn’t sure if I wanted someone in my space. And I was definitely wary of showing off our mess. I mean, dried banana on the floor and cobwebs in the corners aren’t necessarily how I’d like to welcome someone into my home.
But my husband felt it was necessary, not because I’m a bad housekeeper, but rather to alleviate some stress from my lengthy list of chores. “Laundry and dishes and kids and meals… honey, it’s enough — let someone else clean the bathrooms and mop the floor,” he said to me.
“But it’s not cheap,” I replied
He assured me, “It will be worth it. We can sacrifice elsewhere.”
I acquiesced. And my, am I happy I did. It’s been almost a year now, and each time I arrive home post-cleaning, I breathe a sigh of relief, a sigh of sanity at being able to start fresh.
Every other week the dream team flies into my home with mop, broom, and cleaning supplies in hand. These three angels, er women, busy themselves for nearly two hours while the kids and I run errands or visit the park. It’s the perfect arrangement. I tidy up that morning. Yes, the pre-clean for cleaners is a real thing, and then we scoot out of their hair for the deep work.
Last week I came home to see them dusting my ceiling fan
I confess, I had NEVER done this chore. Literally dusting the fan hadn’t even crossed my mind, and here they were, checking off every detail, leaving no smudge or crumb behind. In past weeks, they’ve cleaned out my toaster and vacuumed in between the couch cushions.
It’s like they clean the visible mess, and then they go hunting for the extras. The extras that I know exist, and yet would rarely if ever have time to address.
Angels, I tell ya.
To say I’m grateful is a vast understatement
Of course I pay them for their work, but still, their value far exceeds dollars in my book. It’s a special role, to invite someone into your home when it’s not looking its finest, and have them commit with vigor to return it to tip-top shape.
These sweet gals have never judged or grimaced. They always work efficiently and with a smile. Their kind-hearted attitudes have helped me relinquish so much guilt too.
Having a house cleaner doesn’t make me a bad mom or a sloppy homemaker
In fact, having a house cleaner makes me a better mom and a more productive homemaker. When I know, like clockwork, that biweekly the bathrooms, floors, and kitchen will get a deep-clean, I’m free to focus on other important tasks like tidying the kids’ closets, keeping up on laundry, and organizing the pantry.
Having a house cleaner proves that I’m a very normal mom — one who can’t do it all. Paying for help allows me to be more present with my family and tend to other chores while supporting a woman-owned and -operated business.
So, to my precious house cleaner, thank you for seeing my worst and making it better
Thank you for doing those last few breakfast dishes, sweeping all the nooks and crannies, and changing our sheets. Thank you for keeping my boys’ bathroom smelling as fresh as can be, and thank you for making the stovetop glisten despite the explosion of spaghetti sauce from last night’s dinner.
Thank you for knowing that ceiling fans ought to be dusted.
Most of all, thank you for looking past the mess and seeing a mom who is truly doing her best
I see you too. I appreciate you. I value your work, and I recommend you every chance I get.
Thank you for keeping me sane in this messy season of motherhood.
