Parenting Insights from Rachael Jones
Updated: Dec. 17, 2015
Originally Published: May 27, 2011
I confess, I am a secret slob. My untidiness extends beyond the closet to my kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. Don’t misunderstand me—if I had to choose between a pristine home and a scene straight out of a hoarding documentary, I would undoubtedly opt for the former, provided I don’t have to do the cleaning myself.
I maintain high standards of hygiene; given the chance, I’d shower twice daily. I constantly think about germs lurking in public spaces and cringe when my kids try to enter the house with muddy shoes. If I spill something on my shirt at lunch, panic sets in, and I spend the rest of the day awkwardly trying to conceal the stain, hoping no one mistakes my hand placement for something inappropriate.
Honestly, my aversion to cleaning stems from the belief that it’s a futile task. The mess will just return, time and again. If I had the financial resources and an indifferent attitude toward the environment, I might just toss out dirty dishes and clothes, replacing them with fresh ones. I wouldn’t save a single piece of paper. And, if it didn’t risk their future therapy bills, I would snap photos of my kids’ school projects and toss the originals without a second thought.
Occasionally, a friend will share how therapeutic she finds cleaning, saying it brings her peace of mind. I often wonder what other substances are influencing her perspective—maybe a particularly potent cleaning solution?
My husband is undoubtedly the most let down by my cleaning habits. I must admit that I may have misrepresented my tidiness during our early dating days. “I’m quite organized,” he might have claimed over dinner. “Oh, absolutely, me too,” I likely responded, a blatant exaggeration on my part. My household skills, if listed like a resume, would read similarly to the empty promises of a 1998 job application. I combine whites with dark colors, rely on a dust buster for table crumbs, and often neglect changing the sheets for weeks. My dresser drawers are perpetually ajar, stuffed with clothes I haven’t folded, and I haven’t mopped in seven years.
I genuinely fear our home would devolve into a chaotic jumble of clutter and dust if not for the occasional, powerful motivator: house guests. My strong desire to keep my secret lazy tendencies hidden, rather than being exposed in all my messy glory, compels me to take the surprising yet necessary step of hiring someone to clean my home for me.
If you find yourself navigating the messiness of parenthood, you might also be interested in other related topics. For example, at-home insemination methods can be incredibly helpful for those looking to expand their family. Check out this informative post about at-home intracervical insemination syringe kits. For more resources on pregnancy and fertility, Medical News Today offers excellent information as well.
In summary, while I may struggle with keeping my home in order, I prioritize cleanliness in other areas of my life. The reality of parenting often clashes with the desire for an immaculate living space, leading many of us to seek help in various forms.
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