Long before my life became a blur of broken sleep, two hourly feeds and endless hours spent trying to settle an insecure toddler in his own bed, I liked to keep a very clean and orderly house. Everything had a place, dishes were always washed and floors were swept and vacuumed every second day. I showered every morning, walked the dogs every day, cooked delicious meals every night, held pleasant conversation and never hid in the toilet so I could get 5 minute peace.
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I simply adore my life as a mum, but I'm no longer the domestic goddess nor the stepford wife I used to be. A tornado sweeps through my house each day, and I just don't have the energy to deal with the aftermath. I do my best to tackle the tower of dishes and baskets full of washing, but I prefer to sit and play with puzzles, create masterpieces with playdoh and indulge in two hour afternoon snoozes.
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I'm so very grateful that my husband understands what I need to stay sane, and to continue loving every moment of being a mum. The housework will eventually get done, I won't always spend my day dressed in pyjamas, beans on toast won't be a permanent fixture on the dinner menu and my witty conversation skills will return.
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In the meantime, thank goodness for my Nespresso machine and a packet of chocolate biscuits, courtesy of my gorgeous husband xx
In the meantime, thank goodness for my Nespresso machine and a packet of chocolate biscuits, courtesy of my gorgeous husband xx
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My housework standards have definitely dropped since becoming a Mum too :) For me, the most important thing is that Grace is happy, tea is sorted and we have clean clothes - anything else that gets done becomes a bonus. Hope you're enjoying your weekend x
ReplyDeleteI hear you loud and clear Chris.
ReplyDeleteIt is called self preservation and it takes priority over housework always!
x
Yeah for your wonderful life perspective Chrissy and for a husband who supports it.
ReplyDeletefelicity x
I just love this post and can completely relate! Who would have thought that being a SAHM would be a fulltime job. Thank goodness for beautiful and understanding husbos. The world is a better place for them. X
ReplyDeleteYippee for realistic parenting. I have 4 at school so between 8 & 4 my house is sparkling (i clean up before we walk out the door to start the school run so i come home to a clean & tidy home, it's self respect for me) but today . . . after cleaning, when a gorgeous mummy arrived to take my eldest child, i walked to the front door to find my son had recently run through with hands filled with gravel. OMG, gravel, all up the hallway??!! This gorgeous mummy - well she has 4 sons (i have 3 tidy girls & one gravel loving boy) & currently lives in a shed while they build a house, so she wishes all she had was gravel up the hallway). It's all relative, i'd like to be judged when the last child leaves home, now that is true mature housekeeping. Love Posie
ReplyDeleteOH I am so hearing you!!! You just can't be that person with little ones - but I think you become something better. As they say, housework waits but playing with your kids will make a lasting impact on their lives :O)
ReplyDeleteyes, thank goodness for that coffee machine ... and life will get easier
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post and a great perspective on life with kids. This time when they are young and making messes and depriving us of sleep really won't last forever and they are certainly going to appreciate a Mum that was there for them a lot more than a tidy house! I need to remind myself of this often when I feel bogged down in the mess!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree xo
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you've got all this in perspective. It's ridiculous to kill ourselves trying to maintain 'standards' when a whole new force is at work. Those neat as a pin houses and regular as clockwork lifestyles are simply not achievable when you have young children. And I'm secretly rather pleased at that!!
ReplyDeleteHave I been to your site before? I'm sure I haven't as I would have followed immediately. Perhaps it's all the pink and the fact that you're living on the land... but I feel really happy here. x
Aahh, yes, I have one of those very understandable husbands too who I really feel are a rarity in this world. Unfortunately, I have never been a domestic goddess...and yet he still <3s me :)
ReplyDeleteHear Hear it's hard to get acceptance that this is just how life is now but once you embrace it, it makes it all the easier. Totally jealous of your nespresso x
ReplyDeleteI am exactly the same. I keep a clean home but by the end of the day there is toys dragged from one side of the house to the other.
ReplyDeleteIf I was to choose to clean or do a craft with my daughters I would choose them EVERYTIME!
My husband is very understanding of this and he helps pitch in at the end of the day when the girls are in bed to clean the house, put toys away etc etc
There is one thing I have realised and that is that our babies don't stay babies for long. This time is way to precious. I cherish every moment!
You have such a delightful blog...so glad I found you!!
ReplyDeleteI too would much rather spend time with my children, creating lasting memories...the housework can wait!
Chrissy this is a lovely post, thanks so much for linking it up.
ReplyDeleteI've managed to snag one of the understanding husbands too, he cooks dinner every night so that I'll get a few minutes of me-time (which is really blog-time) after the baby has gone to sleep.