Raising kids can be a delightful adventure, but as the actor Ed Asner once said, it’s also a bit like guerrilla warfare. I can’t help but think he had the laundry room in mind—where parents transform into relentless warriors battling the never-ending tide of dirty clothes.
There’s nothing quite like the bliss of an empty laundry basket, but in a household with two teenagers, those moments are as rare as spotting a unicorn in the wild. The sheer volume of laundry generated by kids aged 13 to 18 is astonishing. The basket is rarely empty for more than an hour and a half, only if I time the wash cycles perfectly during their absences—like when they’re at school or sports practice.
It’s a little-known fact that kids make an unspoken laundry pact when they hit puberty:
- If an outfit doesn’t work out, it must go straight into the wash.
- Wet towels are best left crumpled at the bottom of the hamper.
- Pajamas can’t be worn two nights in a row—ever.
- Coats should be washed twice a week.
- Anything not worthy of a drawer should find its home in the laundry basket.
My husband, a laundry enthusiast, doesn’t grasp that waiting for his free time to do the wash would result in clothing spilling out of the laundry room and into the hallway. You might have guessed that laundry has never been my favorite pastime. Yet, due to my work-from-home status, the bulk of the laundry chores fell into my lap.
Recently, however, I hit my limit. After completing four loads in one day, I returned to find the laundry basket overflowing again. I snapped. I was tired of the constant cycle, the folding, the never-ending demands. This wasn’t my sole responsibility. I had houses to sell, novels to write, meals to prepare, and a myriad of kids’ sports events to attend. I received no compensation for this labor, and the emotional payoff was nonexistent.
So, I did what any sane person would do in such a situation: I headed to Target’s home goods section and purchased four hampers. I then called for a family meeting to announce that I was done doing laundry—forever.
My husband supported the new initiative, but my daughter protested, lamenting that I had been doing her brother’s laundry for 17 years while she had only benefited from 14 years of my service. My son merely groaned and retreated to his room. I placed my new hampers in the back of my closet, feeling a twinge of guilt as they sat there lonely with little clothing.
Some friends thought I was being unreasonable, arguing that the kids had enough on their plates and wouldn’t find time for laundry. Others raised eyebrows, as if to say, “Good luck with that.” Yet, a few women regarded me with a mix of admiration and disbelief.
Was it really possible? Part of succeeding in this laundry liberation was learning to let go of my need for order. I like things neat, but surprisingly, it became easy to stop doing laundry. The key? Closing the doors to my kids’ rooms.
Eight weeks have now passed since I declared my laundry independence. How has it gone? Well, I’m only doing my own laundry now. Each week, my children are discovering their own laundry habits. My son has gone from neatly storing clean clothes in the dryer to tossing them on the floor and cramming them into his closet. Little does he know he’s creating a mountain of ironing for himself (not my problem!). My daughter’s laundry skills have improved dramatically; she’s transitioned from piling clothes on her bed to folding them and stashing them in her closet. Score!
My husband enjoys handling his own laundry every Sunday, while I’ve had to invest in more underwear. I’d say this battle has been won!
I might even be achieving a bit of legendary status among my friends. Recently, one texted me a heartfelt Mother’s Day message, adding that she had bought hampers for her entire family.
In summary, stepping away from the laundry has been liberating. My kids are learning responsibility, and I’m reclaiming my time. If you’re considering a similar strategy, trust me—it’s worth a try!
Keyphrase: Stopped Doing Family Laundry
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