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Even just mentioning the word housecleaning can make some people cringe – you could say they despise housecleaning (category 1)

Some people are happy to do it because of the satisfying reward of a clean and tidy house (catagory 2)

Other people are obsessed to a point of OCD and find emphasis and devastation in every little speck of fluff that passes by or a coaster that is not straight on the coffee table (catagory 3)

I have to say, I fall into the second category (*2) and enjoy doing it because of the satisfaction and reward of a job well done. Something about the house being clean makes me feel refreshed and clear minded. But (there’s always a BUT) sometimes I get to the point of category (*1)… cringing to even think about it because I’ve let it get away, or I know that my hardwork will immediately be undone by the other members of the house. Does this happen to you? ggrrr

Ok this is a pretty lame topic, but it is a very significant part of life and definitely a big chunk of being a mum. I’ll try to keep it interesting ;o)

I used to notice, when I went to other people’s houses, things that they might have neglected to clean and I’d compare to my level of cleanliness at home. This was of course before children! (BC). And not a comparison that my place was sparkling . . .no way. . . more like, I’d notice something and think to myself ‘hmm, wonder if my fridge is that grubby?’ Or ‘gee, I haven’t had a good look at the window sills lately’.

I did notice there was a different standard of housecleaning for singles, couples and families. A very significant difference. And it got me thinking, WHAT DOES YOUR HOUSECLEANING SAY ABOUT YOU? I was probably an OCD type back before children. It was alot easier to manage a clean house with just me and hubby and we both worked so were very rarely home. Now, it’s a completely different ball game.

Now, I have little helpers that do not necessarily help in any way ;o) . . . It’s good to remind myself that it’s my choice to make it frustrating or fun. Kids just wanna be kids, yeah? They wanna do what you’re doing and be just as involved and important as you – can’t blame them. This means sacrificing your standard of housecleaning – can you do it?!?

I remember someone telling me that “an overly-clean house is a sign of a wasted life”. In other words you lack enjoying life because you spend all your time cleaning the house and trying desperately to KEEP IT CLEAN. I don’t know what you think of this little phrase, but to some extent it can ring very true when you’re at home with kids. For example, I have days where I may be endeavouring to clean up in the morning –making my mad dash around the house collecting clothes to wash and noticing dusting that needs to be done, packing dishes into the sink to be washed and clearing clutter that has accumulated on coffee tables and benches. Suddenly a little angel will tug at my ankles, reminding me that it’s time for our morning walk. Or in desperate (not so angelic) situations, there will be lots of whingeing and whining and fighting and crying underneath my feet. Everywhere I go, the kids throw their negative moves at me in a cry for attention and some fun. If they could speak I’m sure they’d say “housework is NOT fun when we can’t help” And  “mum you’re not paying me any attention let’s GO!”

I’m usually easily swayed, although sometimes I do struggle to leave the half cleaned mess. For some reason it just gets to me. I try to press on, muttering to myself ‘I’ll just finish this one little thing. . . just one more job. .’ meanwhile I’m combining six other half started jobs to tack onto that one job.

Kids scream louder than that little voice in my head.

Kids win. Housework will still be there in its same form when we get back.

I don’t know if this has happened to you – but the resistance gets stronger and those kids just wanna go have some fun with their mum. Finally once I resort to the fact that it will still be there when I get back, I hear my little voice saying “an overly-clean house is a sign of a wasted life” and my job here is stay at home mum /slash housewife. . . housewife comes second. Kids first, cleaning second. Here, I probably fall into category (*2) and or (*3), do it for the satisfaction and (*3), OCD –everything annoys the be-jeebies out of me, I scrub and scrub and scrub –arrggh!

I’ll confess that I’m one of those people who don’t like to have people see my unfolded mountain of washing or my grotty vanity and shower. I like to prepare (whenever I can) for visitors and hope that they do not glance across and see something demeaning or mortifying. I couldn’t cope with the judgement. But then on the other hand, if I do have a degree of mess when people show up, I can relax knowing that  “an overly-clean house is a sign of a wasted life”. my days are in NO- WAY wasted when it comes to spending quality time with my children xoxox

There are plenty of times when things just go completely unnoticed –for months on end, certain areas get neglected (guess we’re having too much fun) then, all of a sudden I look up, look across or look around and it’s like spider webs and dust is just protruding out of the corners of the ceiling everywhere, toys and clothes are spread to every corner of the house. I quickly think, I wonder what my visitors would have thought about that, then I remember that “an overly-clean house is a sign of a wasted life” and I certainly haven’t been wasting any time over cleaning the gigantic monster of a home we live in.

Sure it’s annoying sometimes to look around at mess, but amongst that you see glowing, smiling, gorgeous faces and know you’re doing a good job.

I hope you can disregard the harsh judgement you might feel from other people seeing your home and have peace knowing that whilever you are providing for your family, your housecleaning says I LOVE BEING WITH MY CHILDREN!!!

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  • I’m a category 2, I wish I were a category 3. You hear if people who scrub their bathrooms and mop the floors for fun and relaxation… Couldn’t be me.

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  • I wish my house was pristine but unfortunately I work 4 days and the other two are taken up by kids activities so that really only leaves me with one day which I’m not going to waste. I’ll use it productively – clean and tidy when I can but also try and give kids attention by taking them out to the shops to get out of home or doing some arts and crafts with them.
    If only I could afford a maid then I could spend more time with them as this is so precious, before you know it they’ll be gone and living their own life but unfortunately I still need to make that time sacrifice as I don’t want them picking up bacteria and germs throughout a super dirty house.

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  • Category two works for me.

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  • Sheree, this piece is timeless. I think I’d have to say each room of my house is its own category. My kitchen and bathroom – a 3. My spare bedroom and office – a 1. And the rest of the house, a 2. Definitely a 2. We have a lived in home with plenty on display to show our childrens’ activities and destruction, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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  • I guess I am category 2.

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  • I guess I var between category 1 and 2. I enjoy my kids and we do stuff and dirt happens.

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  • I’d say on category two which I’m happy to be not over the top and not under the rug either

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  • I love how my house looks when it’s clean…but not enough to inspire me to clean more often :) Two teens and a 4 year old mean it’s NEVER clean for long!

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  • My house would say – her standards are low, but you won’t get sick visiting here. :) Hope you like building lovely towers!

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  • As long as my loo & bathroom are clean, the queen could drop by and I am “take it as you see it”. :)

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  • i agree about the overlooked areas or the ones that we do see and then put our blinders on because we don’t want to deal with them. i do a really thorough clean every 3 months anyway but just a quick daily tidy either before bed or in the morning and obviously clean as you go. i have monday morning set aside for the steam mop and toilet etc or the general house clean. it is easier to keep a house clean when the kids get older and they can help

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  • Thanks for sharing this interesting article; my home is my castle and full of the things I enjoy and like doing. Clean when needed; but allocate a set time. Too many other good things to do!

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  • Wi love to have a clean and orderly house and to be with my kids

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  • A clean house is nice, but there’s much more important things as a priority.
    I can sum myself up as a category 1, about once a month I become a 2.

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  • So true, kids and friends will not remember how clean the house was, but they will remember the time you spent with them

    Reply

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