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Don’t Stress, Parents. A Messy Bathroom is Completely Normal
You get anxious when visitors are on the way. It’s not the cluttered dishes in the sink that have you in a tizzy. They can look past the scuffed baseboards and the questionable art your kids have etched into the walls. Sure, they might notice the dust that’s been accumulating since the last presidential election (the first term, naturally, because who has the time or energy to dust high shelves?). And that mysterious stain on the carpet? Totally fine. The toys strewn everywhere—rubber swords in the dining room, wooden soldiers in the living room, and of course, the ever-present Legos, which are a constant danger for bare feet—are just part of life. But the bathroom? That’s what really gets you.
There’s an unspoken rule about bathrooms. Society dictates that this space should shine like a magical unicorn powered by bleach. But let’s be real: You can either have small children or a pristine bathroom, but not both. As long as the toilet is scrubbed and nothing strange is growing, you’re good to go. Visitors might peek inside, look around, and feel more at ease than they do in any other part of your home. Because let’s face it, it’s normal to find toys scattered across the tub floor.
If you haven’t caught on yet as a parent, especially if your little one is still in the drooling phase, kids are not exactly dependable when it comes to cleaning. When you plop your kiddos into a lukewarm bath to wash off the day’s grime, they’ll inevitably ask for toys. Expect a menagerie of dinosaurs, fish, and mysterious aquatic creatures along with some random army men. And when it’s time to get out, chaos ensues—one child will be pouring water out of the tub while another is trying to “drown” their sibling, not out of malice, but simply for fun. You’ll hustle them out, wrap them in towels, and in the mad dash, completely forget about the bath toys. By morning, when you step into the shower, you’ll be kicking those stranded whales and fish aside. This happens to everyone. Anyone who claims otherwise is likely either lying or super organized.
And let’s not forget about your vanity, which likely resembles an explosion from a makeup store. Seriously, it’s a chaotic mix of products that you’ve accumulated over the years—some of which are remnants from your college days (yes, that gold shimmer eyeshadow is a classic). Your partner’s deodorant might be crammed in there somewhere, taking up prime real estate in this beauty battleground.
Then there are the toothbrushes. You’ve got yours, your partner has theirs, and the kids have a plethora of toothbrushes—each adorned with characters from their favorite shows like Paw Patrol and Star Wars. And let’s be honest, they never seem to find their way back to the toothbrush holder, despite your daily reminders that it’s kind of gross to leave them on the sink.
As for the floor? It’s a minefield of discarded items. Clothes, towels, and an array of toys often litter the space, as kids seem to operate under their own set of laws regarding where to put things. Towel hooks? Apparently, they’re just for moms while everyone else seems to think the floor is the perfect drying spot. You’ll also find books strategically placed for those long bathroom breaks, and hand towels that have been pulled down and dragged around the house because kids.
And the decor? Well, it’s probably a hodgepodge of mismatched items. You might have a shower curtain from your college days or whatever was on sale at the local store, coupled with towels that have seen better days.
Dust? Oh, there’s plenty of that too. Your mirrors are likely smeared, and the window sills are not much better. Those shower caddies meant for holding shampoo? They’ve probably left a lovely rust ring behind, which you swear you’ll get to cleaning one day. But let’s be honest, when you do find a moment of free time, would you rather scrub rust or sneak away for a little “me” time?
The truth is, your bathroom is perfectly fine. A quick scrub of the toilet, ensuring there’s toilet paper, and tossing in a clean hand towel is all it takes to make it guest-ready. Especially for family or friends with kids. Because let’s face it, this is real life, and our bathrooms reflect the delightful chaos that comes with it.
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Summary
It’s completely normal for your bathroom to be messy, especially as a parent. The chaos of kids leads to toys in the tub, cluttered vanities, and mismatched decor. As long as you keep the essentials clean and ready for guests, you’re doing just fine. Embrace the mess; it’s a part of real life!