After tucking my little ones into bed last night, I took a moment to survey the chaos that filled our home—a testament to their boundless curiosity and imagination. As a mother to a seven, five, and two-year-old, I often find myself overwhelmed by the lack of time to tidy up. Instead of succumbing to the weight of household chores, I want to fully engage with my children during this fleeting phase of life.
Yes, I appreciate a neat environment. Yes, I enjoy being organized. Yes, I notice every misplaced item and feel every crumb underfoot. I long for a day when I can deep clean my home, even knowing it will be undone moments later. But I remind myself that one day, I will inhabit a beautiful, well-kept house—perhaps inspired by Chip and Jo. A girl can dream, right?
When my kids are grown, I can envision a home adorned with pristine furniture and charming decor. I can have elegant curtains and tables with sharp edges. I’ll even relish the luxury of a tub all to myself, with ample time to maintain its perfection, making it look like something out of HGTV.
However, I only have 18 years filled with fingerprints, crayon stains, and the whirlwind of childhood chaos. After the last child leaves the nest, I know I will miss the delightful messes that once filled our home. I would trade that picture-perfect home for another 18 years with my kids in a heartbeat—perhaps for the marks of their exploration and the joy that brings me.
Until that time comes, I choose to be the mom who sets aside chores to embark on an art project or leaves laundry untouched to read a story. I want to be the mom who forgets to scrub the toilets because laughter with my kids takes precedence or orders pizza to comfort a fussy baby. Here’s a glimpse into our daily life: 14 signs that you’re a (great) mom.
- A sink overflowing with dirty dishes.
- A toilet paper roll so sparse it raises safety concerns.
- Breakfast remnants still lingering by lunchtime.
- Bowls or baskets filled haphazardly with snacks or toys.
- Toys sharing your personal space.
- Discovering random items in the most unexpected places.
- A kitchen counter that doubles as a catchall for the day’s activities.
- A stove showing signs of a recent meal, but no time to clean.
- A refrigerator looking like groceries were hastily stuffed in while attending to wailing little ones.
- A well-balanced lunch that consists of whatever is easiest because you’re too tired to prepare even a PB&J.
- Milk left out, hoping it’s still good enough to be returned to the fridge.
- Laundry that lingers in the basket for up to five days while you pick out clothes as needed.
- A dining table cluttered with the day’s remnants.
- A silent prayer that your children will sleep long enough for you to recover from another glorious, exhausting, hair-pulling, tear-jerking, seemingly endless day of parenting.
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In summary, being a good mom means embracing the chaos, prioritizing connection over cleanliness, and cherishing the moments that create lifelong memories—no matter how messy they may get.