To my three babies,In light of a certain situation that took place this afternoon, I feel compelled to issue you a public apology and a pledge, from the bottom of my heart, to be better.
You see, in case you didn't know it by now, your mama has a touch of the OCD. And because I automatically know that Hannah's next question will be, "What is OCD?", I will tell you. OCD, loosely translated, means I am incapable of dealing with messes in our home -- in any way, shape, or form.
This is not your fault.
It is mine. Some may call it a disease; while others look at it with envy and wish they had it, too. But for me, it is the core essential of what makes me who I am.
However, from this day forward, I will try harder to let the natural children inside of you be allowed to come out and play. I will not roll my eyes and exhale my breath loudly when you go outside and the fresh grass clippings cling to your tiny feet.
I will be glad you are playing freely in the fresh air, instead of moaning at the mess I have to clean up.
I will be more understanding of your so-called "leaf collections," and admire your profound interest in nature. Even when I find pieces of them all over the carpet upstairs.
I will realize that most people (your father included) don't spend hours a day thinking about magic erasers and mop kits. Or get excited about new ways to organize closets, or search for ways to make laundry more efficient.
And I definitely will not yell at you for playing chef in my kitchen (especially if you asked me first), even when you break the garbage disposal while dumping your creation down the sink. Yes, you snuck a fast one in there because you asked me in the middle of my Sunday afternoon nap.
And we all know that I'll pretty much say yes to anything when I'm half asleep.
But I promise to try and not complain when you return inside with flushed cheeks and happy hearts, even when I look down to see all the mud you have brought in with you. Because you know what? I love you more than my clean floors.
And that, my darling babies, is really saying something.
Love,
Mama
36 comments:
love that
I love your honesty. I would really love to hear if you have a housecleaning organization tip. I know this wasn't the point of this post but I am desperate for a better way to keep up with my housework.. and laundry :)
A mama after my own heart...
Ditto to what Bonnie said. How did you do it with babies and toddlers? At least you never have to dread an unexpected knock on the door...unless it's the UPS guy, right?
if we were married, it would be so beautiful.
but there would be no sex.
Seriously, separated at birth, we were.
And I'm STILL laughing about your last post!!
Andrea's comments made me laugh.
We are so much alike it is scary--right down to the Sunday nap and saying yes to anything to make them leave the room.
My cute little grandpa gave me the ultimate guilt trip when he heard me yelling at my kids about a mess (when he was visiting my newborn.) He said, "When they get older, they aren't going to remember whether the house was clean, but they will remember that you were always yelling at them." Shot to the heart.
I am so not like you when it comes to a clean house it gets messy and we clean it up on a daily basis. It has taught my kids to do many things like how fast can we clean before daddy gets home, or we need to eat birthday cake in bowl because all plates are in the dishwasher still not started!This is how I run my house however I have kids that can get messy and when done run up stairs and get a shower. Then they insist on me smelling how fresh they are Yep I wouldn't trade this crazy life for a clean house ever! Okay that is a little white lie!
If you come organize my closet I'll give you clothes, shoes and handbags. Seriously.
That way your family gets a break too. It's a win-win.
Oh dear triplet sister-
you and I are both cursed with the same disease...OCD has been the constant source of my anger in my days. I had 5 little ones that made the lovely messes you described...and I'm afraid I've passed the curse on to one of my off springs. Dang that disease.
To give you some hope dear, as time goes on and you mellow by taking your drugs to help with that disease(yes, it's true I've had to resort to pills), you can begin to tolerate grandchildren in your house and laugh while they throw their food all over your nicely cleaned floor and walk in rice across your hard words smearing it with their feet and dropping it from their clothes as they continue to walk from the kitchen into the LR across the rugs leaving a trail like Hansel and Gretel. You can just smile and love them...and the moment they live you gather your cleaning supplies and just clean till your hearts content again.
There-all betta!
♥
Don't you love it when people leave you comments that are as long as a post? ♥
Oh and by the way, your MIL found me! SHE ROCKS!
Thanks for telling her I was your triplet sistah! From another mistah!
What a cute post. I have a little OCD too. I am working on letting go of it, but it is hard!
Have a great night!
Jen
awesome photo to accompany your post. xoxo, m
oh, if only I had a LITTLE bit of the OCD.
It's always a balancing act, isn't it? Too much or too little but hardly ever just right.
Aw, this was lovely. And funny. As always.
The grass is always greener, I wish, wish, wish that I had a teenie tiny bit of OCD.
Sweet apology, and smart you to make it public so when they are teenagers and accuse you of always having to be right, you can whip this out. (only half way kidding!)
It took me a long time to learn that lesson. In fact, some of my kids were grown up before I learned to relax and let them actually live in our house. You're wise beyond your years.
I know. I struggle, too. My problem is that since I can't keep the house pristine the way I truly want it, I give up and let it be a trash heap becasue I can't handle the failure.
This was a wonderful post. I need to write an open letter to my kids for yelling at them.....repeatedly.
Curse this good weather and the mud, grass, leaves that come along with it. Wait. Strike that. I love this good weather and, I guess I will follow your example of allowing the kids to be kids.
Thanks for the reminder.
I loved this! We all have our hang-ups that we have to overcome as parents. Unfortunately, mine don't lead to a clean house! Good luck with your new resolution to allow a little bit of temporary messy.
I was nodding my head in agreement the whole time I was reading your post. OCD is honestly quite difficult to deal with. One of the hardest parts is that we know our expectations are unreasonable, but we can't help ourselves anyway. I loved your post. Thanks for sharing!
You're so weird.
It's always nice to be aware of these things. Once you are, you can constantly work on it.
By the way, I fall in the category of "extremely jealous" of your ocd. And of course your motivation.
C
Hilarious. I wish this disease would rub off on me a little. I mean, I like things clean, but organization is definitely NOT a strong point. I need some tips on spice organization, for instance. You see, climbing on top of a chair while sifting through all the spices while they drop in your face isn't really helping over here. Suggestions?
Love this post and so true. I try to be good like that too but on some days it is so hard. Your a great mom and let your kids do at home science projects! You rock!
Tell me truthfully: did your kids have to pose there by the window for this blog post picture?
I'm such a Martha and want everything clean and perfect before I play with the kids. Except clean never happens and so playing rarely happens.
One lady whose children are out of the house said that a clean house is overrated. I'm trying to believe her.
I'm such a Martha and want everything clean and perfect before I play with the kids. Except clean never happens and so playing rarely happens.
One lady whose children are out of the house said that a clean house is overrated. I'm trying to believe her.
I'm one of those that look at you with envy Stie--I'm pretty sure my hubby does too. And your last post, the one about the nerds, hilarious! And I see Chase is rockin' the mohawk again!
I had a lot of years with an empty house and clean floors. I'll take the footprints anyday...
I hear ya! I too often find myself cringing and snapping about the floors (of ALL things), instead of appreciating the FUN and LIFE going on. Crushed leaves, dirt and dog hair really never hurts anyone, right???
I DO remember your bedroom when you were growing up!
Oh, it is so hard to let them be kids isn't it? I have had to let go of so many issues and hold them till night time. But it is worth it.
I do all those things and I don't even have OCD to blame it on!
Oh how I relate. :-)
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