“Ugh, I can’t invite you over,” other moms often say. “My place is a total disaster.” But the moment I step inside for a playdate, they immediately plead, “Don’t judge! It’s an absolute wreck in here. Seriously, it’s a hot mess!”
Oh please!
When I enter that so-called chaotic haven, I’m torn between laughing at their dramatics or shaking my head in disbelief. Here’s the truth: their home isn’t messy at all—it’s pristine! Freshly folded guest towels are neatly displayed, toys are neatly tucked away on a rug that’s crumb-free, sippy cups are confined to the kitchen, and the dog? Not a hair in sight! Their claim of a dirty house is either a case of denial, a misunderstanding of what it means to have small children, or an attempt to make me feel guilty. Honestly, enough already! You can’t have both an immaculate house and small children. Trust me; I have three boys under 5.
So, to all those moms out there insisting that their immaculate homes are “messy,” and to the rest of you who avoid hosting because you believe your space isn’t clean enough due to kids, pets, or life’s everyday chaos, let’s agree on what “normal” really looks like.
Reality Check: The Clutter Zone
In my home, it’s the dining room that always seems to be cluttered. It’s furnished with my great-grandmother’s cherry dining suite, which is currently buried under art supplies, craft projects, and maybe even a few train tracks. Seriously, you can’t see the beautiful wood grain for all the chaos! I only tidy it up for special occasions—otherwise, it’s off-limits, folks.
Laundry: The Never-Ending Cycle
Laundry? Oh, we’ve got that covered. At present, there are five clean baskets piled in the laundry room, blocking the fridge and possibly creating a fire hazard. One basket resides in the master bedroom, and there’s even a load in the dryer. Dirty clothes? Nope, not a one! We’re laundry champions this week! Will those clean baskets ever make it to the folding stage? Who knows! I mean, a relative of mine once hid her kids’ Christmas present—a pet snake—under a mountain of laundry for two weeks. Talk about a laundry legend!
Dish Dilemmas
Let’s talk dishes. You’ve got your sink full, your dishwasher packed, and your countertops overflowing. You might even resort to using a teaspoon for your cereal. If you find yourself contemplating using the grapefruit spoon at the bottom of the drawer, it’s definitely time for a dishwashing session—at least to ensure the kids have plates for lunch.
Bath Time Mayhem
Kids’ bath toys? They’re exactly where your children left them after the bathwater drained. And let’s not even pretend we’re closing the shower curtain to hide anything.
The Toy Invasion
Toys? They’re scattered everywhere, no matter how many times you plead, bribe, or pray. I once found ball pit balls in my washing machine, the front yard, and even stuffed between car seats. If I visit and see plastic army men in your bathroom, I’m not judging; I’m relating!
Cups Galore
And what’s with cups? They’re everywhere! Just when you think you’ve found a drink for your kid, you realize they’ve left it in ten different places. Somehow, we survived the ’80s on one cup, but today’s kids need a new one every five minutes!
Art Attack
Art projects? My bathtub has tie-dye stains that I’m hoping will fade. I need to repaint my kitchen wall thanks to my toddler’s creative use of acrylics. Don’t worry, your little one has probably made a mess of your wall too.
Car Chaos
Your car’s floor? Forget it! Where else are you supposed to throw all those fast-food cups, spare diapers, and dirty sippy cups? At least your husband can complain about it!
Trash Troubles
And we’ve all been there—forgetting trash day. Your garbage can is overflowing, and the recycling bin looks like a hoarder lives there, but hey, as long as the trash is out of the house, you’re winning at this whole parenting thing.
Embarrassing Repairs
Lastly, let’s be real: some part of your house has been in disrepair far longer than you’d like to admit. My son has never seen us use the master bath shower—he’s four! I thought I was alone until I casually mentioned it to other moms. Turns out, several of them have unusable bathrooms too!
So, there you have it! Either your home is truly immaculate, and it’s time to stop apologizing, or we can all admit that we’re in this together. I won’t peek into your dining room if you don’t peek into mine.
For more insights on navigating home life, check out this post on home insemination. And if you’re curious about the process, Make a Mom is a great resource. For further information on family-building options, visit Resolve.org.
In summary, we’re all in the same boat when it comes to the messiness of parenting. Let’s embrace the chaos and support each other through it!