Anyway, I saw this article today (photo below) and it prompted me to write a long facebook post that I'm now turning into a blog post, darn it. Haha. I seriously cannot wait to show all the new parents all the things that are normal...for our family's home! And maybe make others feel they are normal, too. :) I know our house could be better furnished, organized, and some areas less cluttered if I had more places to store (hide) our stuff...but I know it could be so much worse too! And our previous homes were - when our kids were younger and we had more stuff in less space! And, if anyone judges me, in the nicest way possible let me say this...I don't care. Seriously. I just don't. Haha. But that's 11 years of parenthood. I might've never cared, to be honest...but I don't remember, ok. Some might care, and to them, I say, please don't. Be easy on yourself. Life is too short to worry about what other people think of you, your house, your car, your clothes, your kids or your appearance, etc. You get the point. If cleaning and being straightened up and things set just right is your thing, then please, do you. But don't stress, people. Please don't.
So...I've given each 'typical house prepping for guests tasks' some thought.
Will I vacuum? Maybe. Probably not. If my kids have a chance, I'll make them do it.
Dust? Um, no. It's been 'dusted' in most places at some point in the last 6 mos. It's ok enough. My allergic asthmatic son seems fine, so everyone else will be too. Right? What are air purifiers for?
Will I mop the kitchen floors? Hmmm. That depends on how bad they are and how much time I have the day before. They do get dirty quick since they're light and I love my new kitchen looking clean and new. Because it makes ME happy. Sigh. So...maybe leaning towards probably.
Will I declutter and wipe down our table and counters? Yes. Enough so we have clean spaces to put out snacks.
Will I pick junk/toys/legos off the floors, tables, and other surfaces? Yes. But the basics, folks...to make my guests relax that their crawler isn't going to choke on a lego. That way their time at our house is more comfortable and enjoyable.
The last impression I want to give new parents is that I or any parent has it ALL together. My house is lived in just like yours. And I have to say, I do wholeheartedly appreciate it when my clients with kids don't hide all their toddlers cups and toys or apologize when their house is perfect and act like they didn't have time to clean up before I came! I love y'all... but come on! :)
Nicole Paciente, I ordered chairs. It's happening.