“What on earth happened here?” was the first thing my partner exclaimed when he stepped through the door last week. I can’t blame him; I would’ve been just as bewildered had the roles been reversed. The living room looked like a tornado had swept through—dress-up clothes strewn everywhere, the playroom floor buried under a mountain of paper and markers, and ribbons adorning the furniture like confetti. Meanwhile, my two little darlings were running around in their birthday suits, looking like they’d just emerged from a wild party.
That day had been a disaster of epic proportions. We arrived punctually for our 9 a.m. swimming lesson, only to find the parking lot packed due to a school swimming carnival. Just as I was wrestling the stroller out of the car, the skies opened up. I rushed my toddler off to her grandparents’ house and dashed out for lunch with the baby, who was, unsurprisingly, cranky from a disrupted sleep schedule. And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, my potty-training toddler had an unforgettable accident that I’ll spare you the gory details of.
The day’s saving grace was a much-anticipated playdate. When that doorbell rang, it felt like a lifeline. My daughter and her friend transformed into princesses, mermaids, lions, and dragons, throwing a “party” complete with hand-drawn invitations and an avalanche of stickers. While they were busy, my friend and I enjoyed some much-needed tea and chatted about everything from the trials of parenting threenagers to future vacations. Aside from the occasional request for snacks or the curious silence that demanded investigation, we were mostly uninterrupted. Before we knew it, the clock struck 6 p.m., and it was time to wrap things up and kick off our dinner/bath/bedtime routine.
Some days, I feel like a superhero—everything falls into place. I manage to get both kids to sleep simultaneously, tackle my emails, keep the house spotless, and even serve dinner on time. Those days are a breeze! I’m in total control, and it feels like a walk in the park.
But then there are the other days. You know the kind: toys everywhere, laundry languishing in the washing machine for days, and dinner consisting of chicken nuggets and slices of cheese. Bath time? Forget it. Bedtime? Let’s just say it’s way too relaxed.
I love preparing dinner for my family and admiring a tidy house. I relish knowing that everyone has clean underwear for the week and snuggles into freshly made beds at night. But I also adore tea, friendship, and a little time for myself. Sometimes, I want to have it all—without barking orders like “Pick that up!” or “Stop leaving toys in the hallway!” Sometimes, I just need to close the door, lock away the chaos, and deal with it later.
At the end of the day, you do what you must—whether it’s letting a crying baby be for a minute while you breathe or enjoying tea with a friend while your kids leave a trail of chaos behind them. What’s the point of a pristine home if you’re left feeling like a sobbing mess amid the wreckage of your day? Take care of yourself as you would your kids, your home, or even those favorite shoes you keep in pristine condition.
So there I was, in the midst of dinner prep, when my partner asked about the disaster zone surrounding us. I glanced around, knowing the cleanup was going to be a monumental task. But you know what? I was happy. My kids were happy. A chaotic morning had morphed into a vibrant afternoon filled with laughter. I turned to him and said, “Sanity happened here.”
If you’re interested in more about navigating the ups and downs of family life, check out this post for some great insights. And if you’re on the home insemination journey, Make A Mom has an excellent selection of kits to help you succeed. For those interested in pregnancy resources, March of Dimes offers fantastic week-by-week insights.
In summary, embracing the messiness of parenting can lead to moments of joy and connection, even if it means sacrificing a clean house. Sometimes, it’s those chaotic moments that remind us of what truly matters—happiness and togetherness.