I have four children, four bedrooms, and four bathrooms. Unfortunately, I don’t have four hands to keep everything spotless, nor do I care enough to stress over it. I’m no June Cleaver, and I’ve never pretended to be. Her home is pristine, she prepares gourmet meals, and has a cocktail ready for her husband when he walks through the door. Picture-perfect, sure. But I’d much rather channel my inner Peg Bundy—perfectly content with being just average. With my red hair and a closet full of leopard print, I can definitely pull that off.
As a stay-at-home mom, my focus isn’t on being a domestic goddess. I don’t rise each morning to make the beds, and I definitely don’t get excited about shiny floors. The scent of Febreze doesn’t thrill me. I have the time to clean; I just choose not to. Before you picture my home as a complete disaster zone, let me clarify: it’s not filthy, just not always ready for a magazine shoot. There might be a few dishes in the sink, toys scattered throughout the living room, and laundry piling up in the mudroom. I run my washing machine daily, yet the laundry seems never-ending. My kids wear uniforms—seriously, where is it all coming from? But I digress—there’s a bit of this and a bit of that everywhere.
I could hire a cleaning service, but here’s the catch: I’d need to tidy up before they arrive. A cleaning lady isn’t going to vacuum around boxer shorts and doll clothes. We had one when we were newlyweds, with no kids, and our house was spotless. Looking back, I should’ve saved that money for something more worthwhile. Like comfy yoga pants that I never actually use.
I do prepare dinner every night, mainly because my family gets pretty cranky when they’re hungry. It’s not a culinary extravaganza, but the meals are warm, timely, and filling. I deserve a medal for merely doing what any parent should do.
Speaking of my children, I have three boys and one girl. The boys are in school full-time while my daughter is in Pre-K. Honestly, I’d rather play on the floor with her American Girl toys than fret over how organized everything is in her closet. Sure, we have designated bins to make it easier for her to find her toys, but at four years old, she’d much rather dump everything out and enjoy it. And that’s fine with me! I have fond memories of my Barbie Dream House being a chaotic mess, and I want my kids to have similar experiences.
I have a sign in my hallway that reads, “Pardon the Mess, But My Kids are Making Memories.” Cheesy, I know, but it’s true. They don’t need me stressing to ensure everything is perfect. When I do get that urge to deep clean, it always turns into a meltdown—me getting frustrated, them getting frustrated, and it just becomes a mess. Totally not worth it.
So, if you drop by unexpectedly, don’t expect to be dazzled. Be prepared to feel relaxed, maybe even a little sticky from jelly on the couch. Just grab a Diet Coke and take a load off. And while you’re up, could you please toss the laundry in?
For more insights, check out this other blog post and if you’re interested in fertility and insemination topics, Make A Mom is a great resource. Also, visit Kindbody for an excellent source of information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Probable Search Queries:
- How to manage a messy house with kids
- Tips for stay-at-home moms
- Balancing parenting and household chores
- Creating memories with children while keeping house
- The reality of being a stay-at-home mom
In summary, being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean I have to be a perfect homemaker. I prioritize my children’s happiness and memories over a spotless home. While my space may not always be neat, it is filled with love, laughter, and the occasional chaos that comes with raising a family.