Having fun with your kids seems like a no-brainer doesn’t it? Kids are fun so how hard can it be? Well, it seems very hard for some people and I think sometimes we forget about it.
I was home sick the last 2 days. Ah yes, strep throat was going around my daughter’s daycare. She is fine but I got sick. I’m so glad she didn’t get it. Anyway, while I was home sick I watched a daytime talk show about stressed-out Moms. It’s so easy to see the problem and solution when it is not yourself. Once you have kids you need to make changes in your day to day routine. It’s that simple.
I used to be a nut about having a clean house. I’d clean and clean, I’d miss fun opportunities just to clean. Did I enjoy cleaning? NO. I like a clean house but the actual cleaning – nope didn’t care for it. Why did I do it? Some misguided logic that a clean house was that important I suppose.
It finally struck me that I was missing things and I was tired of stressing over a clean house. I even have a wonderful husband that helps clean the house. It took me some adjusting but I backed off and made more time for fun.
My house is still clean but it’s no longer spotless. There’s a little more dog hair on the floor and a little more dust on the furniture but that’s ok. We’re having FUN.
Moms, most Dads want to help. Don’t wait for them to jump in – tell them what you need. Subtle does not work on men. If your kids are old enough assign them chores. It’ll teach them responsibility and help you at the same time.
Do chores together. My 3-year-old can carry laundry from the dryer to the guest room where I fold it or help me throw things in the washer. We laugh and talk as we do it.
If you can afford it look at a maid service. Or ask friends for the name of a cleaning person they’d recommend. Getting your house cleaned even once a month can free up a lot of time for FUN.
The saying “Don’t sweat the small stuff’ is so true. Do your friends and neighbors care if you have a little dust? No. Will your kids remember “we had a spotless house growing up” or all the fun things you do?
Published by Robin Dary on October 6, 2005 02:12 PM
YES! Too much pressure is put on Moms as it is. We shuffle kids around, cook, clean, raise kids, entertain kids and do laundry, house cleaning, and yard work.
I give. A moderately clean house and happy kids is fine with me.
