People ask me all the time how I manage two tiny humans (especially now that I’m preggo with #3) and still have a smile on my face. Most of the time, it’s pretty manageable. But, sometimes it’s tough!
GRACE.
The best thing I do as a mom is give myself grace. Lots of it. I’m a very organized, on the edge of OCD clean type of person. But if you walk in my house at any given moment, you may not be able to tell. I’m NOT good at house cleaning. I love having a clean house, I just don’t do it very often. There’s most likely a big pile of dishes in the kitchen and a day old plate of mac and cheese on the table.
But I guarantee most likely if you walk in my house, you will see two happy smiling children. If you look closely you will see a tiny baby bump and a very happy and tired mama.
So my advice to you as a tired, worn out mama?
Give yourself some grace.
Have a good heart to heart with your man. Get on the same page. This is really important. Plan a couple of nights a week that you have a nice dinner, and on the other nights? Have corn dogs and Mac & Cheese! If he really likes a clean house, ask him to go marry a housecleaner! HA! Or come up with a plan. I totally stink at doing the laundry. I rarely put it all away, but my hubby knows this and he jokes about it. He doesn’t expect a spotless house, but he does expect our children to be loved and alive when he gets home.
So you’re telling me the dishes are piled up and you can’t walk across the floor? Your baseboards are growing new baseboards? Mine too. Who cares? I mean seriously, in the big picture…WHAT REALLY MATTERS?
Your children will have better memories of the quality time you spend with them, than the quality time you spend with your vacuum cleaner.
I encourage you to drop the worries of today and embrace the important things. Those little people that grow up so fast. Quit looking at pinterest perfect homes and look into the eyes of your children and live life!!
Oh, and take lots of naps too. You can tell your husband I said so and he can take it up with me.
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CODE IT & LOAD IT!
Oh, this is so true!
I am a bit of a “perfectionist” too and would love a clean and tidy house. But in reality there are always pots that needs washing, piles of laundry and so many other things cluttering the house. And I do struggle with that a lot sometimes, especially as with Tim’s depression I want to do as much for him as possible and so try and do everything! But at the end of the day, the times I feel happiest, are those when I give myself a break and just enjoy being there for my baby!
(Oh and I had an “aunt” who had 3 kids in 3 years and then my actual aunt had 4 kids in 5 years, her first two just 10 months apart, so although it sounds mad on paper sometimes, I think you’re awesome for following your heart and expanding your family. I’d be doing the same, I’m sure, if we didn’t have other health issues to consider xx)
Amanda recently posted..Made To Shine
Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is just take a break!! And thanks for your sweet encouragement!
GREAT article! I’m not a mom yet but I appreciate what you said. I know some people with perfect houses and out of control kids. I like how you put it in perspective for people!
Lori recently posted..It’s My Day to be Sad
Thank you Lori!! I think this is true even for people without kids! When I was newly married and working full time, I was stressed to keep a perfect home and it’s just not smart! My marriage comes first!
You said it sister… I’m goin all in a GRACIN’ it Up! Thank you for being so awesome! Love you!
Love you friend!!
I love this! I was just having a conversation about this with a friend today who was so overwhelmed. It’s so true. Grace is the only way. Congrats on #3 coming!
Jessica W recently posted..What Freedom Looks LIke
I am seriously glad I dropped by today! I’m in the process of selling my home and was totally STRESSING today about it being totally clean and neat and PERFECT. My hubby reminded me that it was just not realistic (he’s good at that) and now I’m seeing it from you too…..I suppose someone is trying to tell me something!
Jamie Jones recently posted..I’ve never lived in a house with a FOR SALE sign in the yard…
I loved reading this because I can sooooo relate. I have to remind myself when I get stressed about my house feeling like a pit that no one (at least people with kids) can realistically keep their houses spotless. I have an extremely hard time keeping up with laundry…it gets desperate when the hubs announces he has no underwear clean ha! Life with small kids is crazy and messy and we should all encourage each other as moms! A messy house is a good sign of well taken care of and happy little peeps!
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