My mom once said she wished she had spent less time cleaning when my brother, sister and I were growing up and more time hanging out with us. Actually, I don’t know that she said hanging out, but that’s the general idea. I turned her wish around a bit and told my friends who were embarrassed by their lack of meticulous housekeeping that a messy home is the sign of a good mom.
Often their response would be, “tell my husband that.” Oh well. Tell him to pitch in.
But really, I get what my mom was saying. Our home was always clean–save the kids’ rooms–but should that be what we remember most about growing up? I can’t say it’s my strongest memory, but I definitely would have benefited with a little more attention from my mom. And my dad, for that matter.
Still, every parent has regrets and every child–even an adult child–has his or her complaints. I’m leaving the rest alone. I am where I am, I love my parents and I’m too old to dwell on what should have been.
I can’t say I inherited my mom’s penchant for cleanliness. My home is sanitary and presentable, except for the storage room, which I’m still working on. It’s sanitary but hardly presentable. But my apartment is not as clean as my mom kept things. It could do with a little dusting right now. I don’t remember ever seeing dusty book shelves when I was growing up.
I have no excuse. I only have cats. So I guess I’m going to start working on this storage room again. And to those of you with kids–relax and enjoy your children. The rest will get done.
Image Credit: © New Africa–stock.adobe.com
My World With Words 
Now if they only had a robot duster lol!!
I’m with you completely, Belinda. My home is very dusty and I just put off cleaning as much as possible. 🙂
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A robot duster would be nice! Part of my problem with dusting is I was taught to take all the books and knick knacks off the shelves before I dust, and I just never feel like doing that!
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I like order in my house but am not a clean freak. My daughter said she realized she had turned into me when she was at a boyfriend’s house, and he got a call that friends were coming over. “We need to clean up this place” were the first words out of her mouth. We laughed so hard when she told me that.
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Ha. Not a bad quality for her to mimic. I like order, too, although you wouldn’t know it to look in my storage room. However, the cats love it. Plenty of places to hide!
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I’m with you, but not completely. One can take some of that togetherness and accomplish some chores around the house. But it is really not as easy as going shopping together. I find that four-year-olds love to wash dishes, but I do not have the patience to let them do it. It is easier not to be disciplined for oneself or for ones’ children.
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I agree! I’m still finding that balance. I definitely spend more time with my kids then cleaning… and my house definitely looks that way too. and STILL sometimes I feel like I don’t spend enough time with my kids. But I would never want to spend all day every day cleaning to make my house look presentable while my kids miss me
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I’m so glad you’re making your kids a priority. It’s a tough balance!
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