Why a little mess is a good thing

Parenthood is a nightmare for the recovering decor-porn addict.

Maybe you've got garishly-coloured toys cluttering your once-gleaming hardwood. Or the counter where you used to place a glass bowl of lemons is now awash in permission slips and Playmobil.

Dirty socks on the back of the piano. That's the one that gets me. I'm unreasonable that way, I guess.

Try as we might to be zen about the detritus of family life, it's hard not to have Container-Store visions dancing through your head when the piles start to get high and demoralizing. Besides, Pottery Barn Catalogue says you should have a wall-mounted system for stuff like this! Du-uh!

Inspired by my colleague Jennifer Wilson-Speedy's feature on yourhome.ca, I've just started reading Life's Too Short To  Fold  Fitted Sheets: Your Ultimate Guide to Domestic Liberation.

Dedicated "to all the unbalanced mothers," the book is about letting go of perfection and running your house in a manageable way.

This part spoke to me:

    "As a Mom, also think about what you're modeling for your children when you're a perfectionist:

    * You have to blow people away when they come to visit so they will like you.

    * Perfectly folded T-shirts and clean faces equal the perfect family.

    * You have to kill yourself to prove to others that you've made it.

    * A spotless house is more important than fun.

    * Work is more important than family."

These are good words to have in mind when you're faced with your choice between a basket of clothes that needs to be put away, and a kick-ass water-gun battle with your kids.

Read Lisa's Top 10 things to clean if company is coming in 30 minutes.

Comments

[A Gray]

This is a wonderful post Brandie...and very timely for me too, I think I'll pass this along and let DH have a read;)