I Keep a Tidy Home, and I’m Still a Great Mom

home insemination Kit

We’ve all heard the saying: a messy house is a happy one. A cluttered space means kids are cherished and that chaos equals joy. But every time I hear that, my irritation grows. I’m a bit of a neat freak—maybe even a little too much. My kids are so accustomed to the hum of the vacuum that they can snooze through it. They can tell where I’ve cleaned just by the scent of the cleaner. They know that toys get put away before we head out. Our home is neat and organized, yet it’s still filled with love and laughter. My kids are thriving, curious, and clever—and I’m pretty fun too!

I’m not saying I’m perfect, and I don’t always bring the fun. But one thing is certain: I’m a good mom. We all have different styles when it comes to life and parenting. Some thrive in a cozy mess, and others prefer minimalist spaces. Our cleaning habits don’t determine the love or happiness in our home. Joy is infectious—it starts with one person. My grandpa used to say, “When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Wise words! For me, happiness lies in organizing my spice rack and keeping the floors crumb-free. The scent of Pine-Sol in the air and toys neatly tucked away lifts my spirits. Just a few weeks ago, with some rare free time, I told my best friend I was going to clean the toilets. Not the most exciting activity, but it sure feels great to have a sparkling bathroom.

After scrubbing those toilets, I was in such a good mood, ready to dive into playtime with my kids. We generate messes daily, with paint splatters, Lego creations, and toy traffic jams that often lead to my husband stepping on a misplaced Hot Wheel. We bake together—definitely with sprinkles (though I steer clear of those tiny balls that go everywhere). My coffee table is adorned with stickers that seem permanent; I just say we’re going for a mosaic vibe. Life is beautiful. We play, we clean up, and my kids couldn’t be happier.

For those messy moms out there, don’t worry! It’s amusing how life balances things out. My two-year-old daughter, Lily, is undoubtedly the messiest kid ever. One time, I gave her black beans for dinner—never again! She somehow managed to cover every inch of her skin with them. When she’s not making a mess at mealtime, she’s tearing pages from books or dumping Lego bins everywhere. She’s the queen of chaos, and I’m learning to embrace her personality, which is so different from my own. My kids will learn to navigate my neat-freak tendencies just as I’m learning to adapt to their wild creativity. Having a mom like me—often compared to Monica from that old show “Friends”—is a great example of how cleanliness and cherished memories can coexist!

I’ve always been this way. As a kid, I turned cleaning my room into a game to get my best friend to help. Now, that’s what I call friendship! Motherhood has only heightened my desire for cleanliness, despite all the well-meaning advice suggesting that once kids arrive, it’s time to embrace disorder and chaos. When I heard that, my first thought was, “challenge accepted.” I’ll show those messy moms! I’m always tidying something up. I can’t even relax if I spot dust on my TV stand. Sure, kids make this a challenge—especially my daughter, who can make a mess out of anything. Just this morning, she decided to dip her hand into my coffee, which went everywhere—but thankfully, it was iced! And yes, I still drank it—delicious!

So sorry to my messy mom friends, but we’re happy too. We can be fun and silly while making memories alongside you. The state of your floors or counters doesn’t dictate your kids’ happiness. Love isn’t measured by the laundry pile, and precious memories don’t spill out of an overflowing junk drawer. Perhaps those cute sayings should read: “Messy or clean, our kids are living the dream,” because whether our homes are neat or chaotic, we’re all creating joyful experiences together.

In case you’re curious about more insights, check out our other posts at this link. And if you want to learn more about navigating your fertility journey, this site has excellent resources. For information about pregnancy and home insemination, this page is incredibly helpful.

Summary: Keeping a tidy home while being an engaged and loving parent is possible. Each family has its own style, and cleanliness does not dictate happiness. Embracing different parenting approaches can lead to joyful experiences and cherished memories, regardless of the state of your home.