When guests are on their way, it’s the bathroom that sends you into a panic. Sure, the dishes in the sink may be a bit messy, and the living room has a chaotic assortment of toys—plastic dinosaurs sprawled across the floor and colorful blocks strewn about. But it’s the bathroom that really gets you sweating. Society seems to dictate that this space must be pristine, sparkling like a fantasy cleaning product commercial. The reality, however, is that you can either have small children or a spotless bathroom, but not both. As long as the toilet is cleaned and nothing is thriving in there, you’re doing just fine. Guests will likely feel more at home in your slightly messy bathroom than anywhere else in your house. After all, it’s normal to have toys in the bathtub!
If you haven’t figured this out yet, you’ll soon learn that little ones aren’t exactly the best at tidying up. When you toss your kids into a warm bath to clean them up, they will inevitably want to bring every toy within reach—dinosaurs, rubber fish, and even some random action figures that look like they’ve seen better days. And when it’s time to get out? It turns into a mad dash as one child pours water everywhere while another tries to “swim” in the tub. In the chaos, those bath toys will be left behind, lying forgotten as you wrap your kids in towels. It happens to every parent. Anyone who claims otherwise is probably just being disingenuous.
Normal: Your Vanity Looks Like a Makeup Store Explosion
Your bathroom vanity may resemble a beauty aisle gone rogue, filled with an array of makeup products—some from your college days that you just can’t part with. If your partner has stashed his deodorant in there, it’s practically a sacred space for him. The cosmetics may not be the most organized, but they serve a purpose, even if it seems like a teenager emptied her makeup bag onto your counter.
Normal: Toothbrushes Everywhere
You have your toothbrush, your partner has his, and the kids? They each have a couple, complete with characters from their favorite shows. These toothbrushes often end up scattered across the sink despite your reminders to put them back in their holder. It’s a never-ending battle, but it’s just part of life.
Normal: Items All Over the Floor
Clothes inevitably find their way onto the bathroom floor. It’s a bathroom; that’s just how it goes. No one seems to adhere to the towel hooks that exist for a reason. Instead, they prefer to toss wet towels aside, leaving you to navigate through a minefield of clothing and, of course, toys. Books for those long moments on the toilet are also likely to be in the mix.
Normal: No Matching Decor
Your bathroom decor may not be the most cohesive. You probably have a shower curtain that’s seen better days and towels that don’t quite match, remnants from various stages of your life. If you have kids, there’s a good chance that small accidents have ruined any semblance of a coordinated look.
Normal: Dust and Rust
Your mirrors may have a bit of dust, and the window sills could use a good wipe down. The shower caddies might even leave rust stains behind. You promise yourself you’ll handle it, but when faced with a choice between scrubbing the bathroom or stealing a quiet moment for yourself, it’s no contest.
The truth is, your bathroom is perfectly okay as it is. Give the toilet a quick scrub, ensure there’s toilet paper, and toss in a clean hand towel. Your space is ready for guests, especially those who have kids or who understand the beautiful chaos of parenting. This is real life—embrace the mess!
If you want to delve deeper into parenting topics, check out this post. For those looking into home insemination, this resource is incredibly helpful, as is this guide for pregnancy.