I'm not sure where this quote came from, but I really like it. I remember when my older children were young children, and it was just the four of us at home. My husband died when the three kids were young. I decided that as long as the house was reasonably clean we could live with it. They would all pitch in and help get things done so we could go and do fun things together. I had always heard the saying that "I can clean when they are gone".
I spent time doing things with them and I always loved it when summer came around and we had lots of time together. We took bike rides, spent afternoons at the public pool, had picnics in the park, and lots of other fun activities.
Now I have my youngest child, I remarried and had a child when my others were 18, 20, & 22. I have never worried about having a perfect house. There will be time for that soon. My youngest goes to college in the fall.
A "Perfect House" has NOTHING to do with things being in place or no dust bunnies or clean floors. It has everything to do with "Harmony between the inhabitants. :-)
ReplyDeleteLyle Larkin
I believe this true!
Delete"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who will watch the watchers?"
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like we have a similar philosophy on homemaking. I love, love, love summer, when we don't have anyone's schedule to follow. We just go and have fun, taking as long or as little time as we want.
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen floor could use a serious scrubbing, but the boys want to play a game. Guess which one I'll be doing?
I am so glad that I have allowed time with my children to win out over cleaning my house. I have great memories of the things we did. I don't believe when I am old I will sit and remember how perfect my house was, but I will remember the fun times I spent with my family.
DeleteThat seems to be a more modern approach, but in my day, play never happened before cleaning and chores. That's also the way I raised. A clean house was in fact a job and one if not done made folks think badly of you. I wasn't probably as good as a housekeeper as my mother, but sticky floors...nope. I was raised to believe keeping a clean house meant you loved your family and that also ensured they would be healthier. A house always needed to be clean enough so that no one was embarrassed if company popped in. My Grandmother believed that even more then my Mom did. Summer's weren't really very different. Kids played with kids and adults still had their work to do. Parents play alot more now days I think. In part they don't/can't let kids go on their own as much as we all did when we were growing up. I've not seen that quote before. Happy Mothers to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy, and Happy Mother's Day to you! I enjoyed time with my children. My husband died when my kids were pretty young and I knew that the time I spent with my family could be limited. So I wanted to enjoy it. My house was usually pretty clean, just not perfect. I never judged myself on the perfection of my home. I think everyone needs to do what they are comfortable with.
DeleteOh thank GOD someone else feels the same way. Life is just too damn short to constantly worry about household chores. Yay for slackers!
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo ... I'm loving your blog! I've nominated you for a Liebster Award. Find out more here: http://www.pokiedot.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-blogger-liebster-award.html.
Please feel NO pressure to do this. I just want you to know that I'm supporting and promoting your great blog.
Cheers!
Brooke @ Pokiedot
Thanks for the nomination, I will try to do it next week. I appreciate your support.
DeleteI think people should feel comfortable making time for their children. If people want to judge me on the perfection of my home, they really aren't my friends. I care more about how my children will remember me.
Yes Betty, I think it's good some of those old you must do things have changed. Even we wanted to play and enjoy more time with the kids, in those days; it just wasn't done. I think men now are more involved with the kids too. In those days Dad's went to work. The line between adults and kids was much greater. My grandmother truly believe children should be seen and not heard, never be mussed. Different times.
ReplyDelete