The Clean House
Why a clean house matters.
I’ve always liked a clean house. Clutter is messy, but it speaks of activity (and sometimes laziness). I like walking into my house after a day in town and finding it tidy and clean. I also like coming back from a trip out of town to order and cleanliness.
There’s something about walking into one’s house and feeling the order of a place for everything and everything in its place. Truthfully, it soothes my soul. I like order. A clean house spells order to me.
Why chaos is okay.
Once when our kids were small (and when only half of them had arrived and all of those we had were under three), we were heading out of town. I was intent on leaving my house in order because I was tired of coming home to mess and clutter. I spent so much time getting “everything in its place” that I was grouchy with interruptions from my little ones.
We left on our trip, and I confess I felt good about the order of my house. When we arrived home, I surveyed my house and felt satisfaction that I succeeded in leaving the house just the way I liked it. However, my heart was pricked because I knew the price I (and my kids) paid for that order. Was it really worth it? I wondered.
Chaos spells life, action, and activity. It spells creativity and adventure, and fun and pleasure. Chaos has its place in our homes – especially at certain times. My intent in allowing chaos was to encourage creativity. If you know my kids, you know it worked.
The balance of chaos and a clean house
There’s a balance, and I never figured it out. Some days I was like Martha, and other days I became Mary. If I could go back (and we all know I can’t), there’s one thing I’d try to do differently.
If I could go back, when it really mattered to have the house clean and in order, I would enlist the help and support of my kids. I would explain to them (better than I did) that a clean house when I arrived home from a trip mattered to me, and they needed to help. When there are plenty of Marthas in the house, Mom has more time to be a Mary. This is something kids can learn. Goodness knows, there’s enough clutter and chaos when eight people arrive home from a trip out of town. We don’t need to stumble over toys and clutter when we walk in the door.
I had a term that let my kids know I needed their help – and they usually obliged. “All hands on deck!” meant everyone needed to stop what they were doing and come help. Honestly, sometimes it was because we knew company was coming. While my kids didn’t care, I didn’t want guests tripping over toys strewn across the floor. And truthfully, I didn’t want my house to be unkempt for visitors to see.
Had I used “All Hands On Deck” the last fifteen minutes before we headed out of town, it would save a boatload of frustration. Much more efficient than trying to keep things straightened up all afternoon, everyone’s nerves would have survived better. Aiming for a clean house is a great plan. Rewards help. Use the “when . . . then” method. When all the toys are picked up, then . . . . We leave on our trip when the house is tidy. This is helpful for a trip to the library, to town to shop, or going out of town. It puts the onus, not just on the mom, but on the kids as well.
If I could do it over, that’s what I’d do.
Photo credit: ta98mori@pixabay.com
