Don’t Hate Me, I Have a Clean House!

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I have a clean house. Don't hate me! | Des Moines Moms BlogHear me out before you virtually start throwing daggers and other objects my way! As the title suggests, I have a clean house.

You may have seen the articles floating around the Interweb about embracing the mess, especially when we are taking on the task of raising little humans. You may have also seen the very honest posts from brave moms posting a picture of the epic pile of laundry or dishes in their homes.

Now, let me duck behind a shield as I say, I can’t really relate to that.

Since having kids, my desire for a clean and organized home amped up a notch. At the first sight of clutter or disorganization, I felt myself getting all twitchy and panicky feeling inside.

I am known to say, “Everything has a home or we need to find it one!” Clutter on the kitchen countertops sends my little heartbeat into overdrive.

Since having kids, I’ve found ways to keep the clutter down, the kids’ toys managed, and I am pretty confident to say that, usually, we are moving steady ahead like a steam engine down the tracks. My kids know the routines and the expectations, they know where their belongings go, and everyone pitches in to help out.

Everything has a place and there is a sense of order and routine.

Before anyone wonders how in the world one would have fun in this kind of home, don’t! We make plenty of messes and good memories while we are at it. I am also the kind of mom who is not afraid of glitter, paint, play doh, or spills. My kids just know when we are done we all clean up together.

There may be a day or two where there are dishes in the sink, a basket full of laundry sitting in our bedroom, waiting to be put away, or toys strewn from the living room, through the dining room and back. I also have drawers and closets that aren’t so organized. So, please don’t get the impression that my home is perfectly picked up ALL THE TIME. But, I would like to say our home is ready for anyone to enter without me frantically running around, shoving laundry in the closet, trying to wash dishes, or excusing the mess.

We still have fun, make messes, and I don’t judge any other mom who manages her home differently.

As a mom who works outside the home, organization and having a system is imperative for my own mental health. When my home is messy, I feel discombobulated as well. I find that when I have a clean house, I am happier, more relaxed, and able to have fun with my kids. I’ve learned the balance of leaving the dishes after dinner to play a game with the kids and then get them ready for bed. Then I do the dishes when they are in bed.

So, when I see articles or quotes about how messy homes equals love and a mom who plays instead of cleans all the time, I can’t help but cringe a little and tentatively and slowly raise my hand asking if there is anyone who is like me? We are big on love and big on fun, just with a vacuum and mop close by! 

 

A clean home, a happy mama!

Do you have a clean house? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!

18 COMMENTS

  1. I am with you on this, Shay! And thankful to have a husband who has the same need for tidiness and does as much (if not more than) I do to keep things picked up, organized, wiped off… Our kids (ages 8 and 5) are expected to pitch in too, clearing their dishes, picking up toys, making beds, putting dirty laundry in the hamper and shoes in the shoe basket. A clean home totally helps me stay sane, especially when a day at the office or a business trip has been particularly nutty.

    • Oh yes!! I can so relate!! I love how you mentioned how a nutty day at the office— that is another reason why I strive for cleaniness at home! I love coming home to organization and cleanliness!! Thank you for reading!!

  2. I fall on the opposite side of this issue most of the time but I enjoy reading a different perspective. It gives me something to aspire to. I completely agree that my mental health improves with the cleanliness of my home, so it’s worth working toward a cleaner house. I find my kids prefer clean too, even though they don’t enjoy the process of getting the house to that point. Thanks for sharing.

  3. ?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️
    Thank you!
    It is a little aggravating to hear that you only love your kids if you let them live in a messy house.
    Clean houses can be fun and full of love, too!!!

  4. Yes yes yes, thank you! When I see a messy home sometimes I see a really fun mom and that is great. But honestly more often than not when I see a messy home it seems to correlate with a stressed-out mom. I think it has a lot to do with acquiring too many things and not getting rid of things and that can just feel overwhelming. It certainly does to me!

  5. Yes!! While my home certainly is not ALWAYS perfectly clean and lots of messes get made- I just can’t live with it like that for very long. I thrive on cleanliness and organization and just can’t relax or enjoy myself if my surroundings are a mess. With two 2 1/2 year olds and a 10 year old there is alot of time required to keep things neat but it is worth the effort and I do my best to teach my kids to pick up after themselves as well. We have lots of love and fun in a clean atmosphere! 🙂

  6. ??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️ I completely agree!! And it helps the my husband is right on board. Tidy home ? helps my mental health and teaches kids routines and chores around the house. Thanks for sharing. ?

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