I like a good challenge. I do. Of course finishing challenges is always more rewarding than just starting one.
After a few experiences this last week, I decided that I need a "keep your house clean for a month" challenge.
Why would I do this to myself? Well, it's not for myself. It's for one of my children. One of my children who is mortified at our messy van. One of my children who, when hearing that I wanted to offer our worn couch for her play said, "I will just tell them it's not the one we use."
One of my children who told me what a good mother Anne from Anne of Green Gables is. To which I replied, "That's because she has Susan, her full time live-in housekeeper who cooks, cleans and helps put the kids to bed. So of course Anne doesn't feel like a crazy head with six children when she has another full time adult helping her." Or something like that.
And lest you think my child has complained, she has not. It's just her body language and a few comments here and there. Not meant to hurt me. In fact she told me that our slightly messy house showed that I was relaxed and not a mean mother. And I took that as a compliment. But I also thought about what she probably REALLY wants. And that is to have me STILL not be a mean mother, but to also have a clean house all the time.
So I am embarking on the 30 day challenge to keep my house clean. It doesn't matter that it's not the first of the month. We're close enough. So I might as well just go til April 30th. You with me? I mean those of you whose houses aren't always clean anyway? I'm working my tail off today getting it to a good place and then I will post pictures tomorrow of my progress.
This is part of my 365 days of reality. My reality is that I have had very valid excuses for not keeping things as clean as they once were. And no, my six kids are not that excuse. But health problems have been. But no more. Cuz you know what? It's harder to do it, but not impossible. That's why it was an excuse!
So you saw my starting point up top. And that is not the worst of it. But I do have some pride, so that's all you get. But I will proudly show the cleanliness that SHOULD exist by tomorrow and that will last til April 30.
Please someone join me on this. Because while I'm excited, I am also bewilderingly, crazily, frightened.
Weird.
Looking at this pic I can almost smell your house. I always loved how your ouse smelled..... SIGH
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Wow, Amy I haven't seen you in years and I find this side of you very refreshing!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have struggled with this issue myself as a mother of 6 boys. Because seriously what do boys care if my house is clean? So I started a new world order myself and it has helped me keep my home in a greater state of order. I GAVE MY KIDS 1 CHORE FOR A MONTH. That may sound crazy but it has been great. I don't hear anymore "I did it last time", or "It's not my mess, I'm not cleaning up someone else s mess!" I know who has what job for a full month!!! It has been a miracle!
It is great too that my kids realize how much work they make for me. Now they have a responsibility as much a I do to keep it clean. It is great to hear your children remind each other that if they mess up their job they may get killed. But hey! My house is finally staying clean.
Michaeline
:)
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of the iheart organizing blog? I have an arsenal of ideas for after we move to help us stay clean and organized and its even helped me right now too. It's changed my life, so just though I'd share. It's just iheartorganizing.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of it Megan. I will definitely check it out!
DeleteI am game!!!! Bring it on messy house! Thanks for the challenge. I will be rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteIt's do-able, totally do able! I've been trying to since I finished painting the yellow and it's not that hard if you keep up on it vs. "later"...... You are amazing and totally able to do this!!!
ReplyDeleteYour an amazing person and I know you can do this challenge! I am going to take on this challenge too. Good luck to both of us!
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