The renowned actor Ed Asner once remarked, “Raising kids is part joy and part guerrilla warfare.” He must have had the laundry room in mind—an actual battlefield where reasonable parents morph into fierce warriors determined to conquer the never-ending laundry cycle.
There’s nothing quite like the sight of an empty laundry basket; it offers a brief moment of bliss. However, with two teenagers at home, those moments are as rare as spotting a unicorn in the wild. The sheer volume of dirty clothes generated by those aged 13 to 18 is astonishing. The basket rarely stays empty for more than an hour or two, and that only occurs when their schedules align with laundry time—typically when they’re at school, sports practice, or work.
It’s an unspoken truth that kids make a laundry pact when they hit puberty:
- Any clothing tried on but deemed unsuitable must be washed.
- Wet towels belong in a soggy pile at the bottom of the basket.
- Pajamas should never be worn for two consecutive nights.
- Coats require washing twice a week.
- Anything not suitable for a drawer or closet belongs in the laundry basket.
My husband, who enjoys doing laundry, didn’t grasp the chaos that would ensue if I waited for him to handle it on the weekends; soon, clothes would overflow from the washroom into the hallway, creating a cascade of fabric.
Admittedly, laundry has never featured on my list of favorite tasks. Yet, due to my work-from-home arrangement, the bulk of the laundry responsibilities fell to me. Recently, I hit my breaking point. After completing four loads in one day only to find the basket overflowing again by evening, I snapped.
I was irritable and resentful, and I had simply had enough. Forget about folding! I had houses to sell, novels to write, endless meals to prepare, walks to take, kids’ sporting events to attend, and books to read. I wasn’t being compensated for the laundry, nor was I deriving any satisfaction from it.
So, I took matters into my own hands and made a trip to Target’s home goods section, where I bought four hampers. I called a family meeting to announce my decision: I would no longer be doing anyone’s laundry.
My husband was supportive of my new approach, but my daughter protested, claiming it was unfair since I had been doing her brother’s laundry for 17 years, and she had only received 14 years of my service. My son moaned and retreated to his room. I placed my new hampers in my closet, feeling a twinge of guilt at their emptiness.
Some friends thought I was being unreasonable. “The kids have enough on their plates; they won’t have time for laundry,” one said. Others smirked, clearly skeptical. But a few women expressed admiration for my bold choice.
The key to this laundry liberation was letting go of any compulsions for absolute tidiness. I like things organized, so it was challenging at first. But ultimately, it became surprisingly easy. I simply closed the doors to my kids’ rooms.
Eight weeks have passed since I declared my independence from laundry. How’s it going? I’m only responsible for my own laundry now. Each week, my children are developing their own laundry habits. My son has transitioned from keeping clean clothes in the dryer to tossing them onto his floor and stuffing them into his closet—creating a mountain of ironing for himself (which I’m not doing either). My daughter, on the other hand, has improved her laundry skills; initially, she would dump clean clothes on her bed, but now she’s folding them and putting them away in her closet. My husband enjoys his Sunday laundry routine.
As for me, I’ve had to stock up on more underwear. I consider this battle a victory! Friends now whisper about my newfound status, and one even sent me a Mother’s Day message mentioning that she bought hampers for her entire family.
In case you’re interested in similar topics, you might find our other article on home insemination intriguing, and if you’re looking for an in-depth guide, Make a Mom has an excellent resource as well. For more information on infertility and related topics, CDC provides valuable insights.
To summarize, I’ve stopped doing my family’s laundry, and it has led to unexpected growth for my kids as they learn to manage their responsibilities. While the transition wasn’t without its challenges, the results have been worth it.