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A Tidy Home by Lisa Harper
Originally Published: Feb. 27, 2010
In our household, we embrace the term “love-rich/cash-poor.” Gone are the days when we could afford help around the house. Now, maintaining cleanliness falls squarely on our shoulders, and let’s just say, our home often resembles a chaotic playground. Walk into any room, and you might find a delightful mix of dust bunnies, mismatched socks, toys strewn about, and an occasional snack wrapper. While we strive to keep things in check, the reality is that a messy home is far more manageable than dealing with issues like hunger, disappointing report cards, and joblessness. We’ve developed a knack for tuning out the mess while staying alert to avoid stepping on Legos and action figures at night. We also tend to gravitate toward families with similar—or even worse—levels of tidiness; it’s comforting to know we’re not alone in this delightful chaos.
Every now and then, we dedicate a weekend to a thorough cleaning, usually in anticipation of birthday parties, holiday gatherings, or any occasion that invites guests who don’t see our home regularly. Outside of those events, visits from family and close friends typically result in a swift tidy-up: a quick wipe down of the bathroom and a hasty sweep of the floor to create the illusion of cleanliness. Evening gatherings work best for us; after all, mood lighting can cleverly mask both wrinkles and dirt. Our local spot, The Cozy Noodle House, employs this technique flawlessly (seriously, don’t go there in the daytime—yikes!).
I don’t want to mislead you; we’re not living in a horror movie. The kids aren’t yet embarrassed to invite friends over, and there’s still some visible floor space beneath the toys. However, neat freaks would never classify us as such. Despite our relaxed approach, I still find myself shocked by the various manifestations of “dirtiness” around our home. Like the time we decided to sell our house. On moving day, we removed the bunk beds only to uncover a wall plastered with dried boogers (yes, actual boogers) behind L’s bed. What a gross surprise—and to think it was L’s habit! However, P later confessed that he was the mastermind behind that masterpiece.
Less stomach-churning but still cringe-worthy, I recently discovered an overlooked dirty spot that appeared to have been there for ages. I’m referring to the kitchenette banister overlooking our sunken living room. From my vantage point at the computer, I can see the kitchen floor but rarely look up at the banister, which my 5-year-old has deemed a perfect place for leaning while eating. Spoiler alert: he also uses it as a tissue.
Sigh. It’s these little discoveries that drive me up the wall. I often find myself fantasizing about what life would be like if my children picked up their toys, deposited dirty clothes in the hamper, washed their hands after playtime, and emptied the sand from their shoes in the trash instead of all over the floor. But then I remember that the very essence of their fun lies in their delightful messiness. After all, how could a child who’s meticulous about cleanliness ever dream up a go-cart made from an old soda can and a tennis ball hopper? Is the kid who keeps the sand out of the house the same one who dresses up as Zorro for months on end? I highly doubt it.
So, with a resigned acceptance of our reality, I grab the magic eraser and venture toward the banister—after dragging M over to witness our home’s charming display of dirty handprints. He gazes up with his big brown eyes and solemnly vows to wash his hands next time… with soap.
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In summary, while a clean home may be our goal, the reality of parenting often leads us to embrace the mess. Love and laughter fill our space, creating a joyful atmosphere amid the chaos.