Don’t Stress, Parents: Your Messy Bathroom Is Just Fine
When company is on the way, the anxiety sets in. It’s not about the dishes piled high in the sink. No, it’s the vast terrain of grime-marked baseboards and the wobbly artwork scribbled on your walls. The dust clings in thick layers up high, remnants of years past — not the latest administration, as who really has the time or energy to scale those shelves? And then there’s that mysterious stain on the carpet, along with the toy chaos that fills every corner: rubber swords in the dining room, wooden soldiers in the living room, and Legos, those ever-present hazards for unsuspecting bare feet. Guests can overlook all of this, but cleaning the bathroom? That’s where the real panic kicks in.
There’s an unwritten rule about bathrooms. Society dictates that because we use them for our most private moments, they must shine like a mythical bleach unicorn. But let’s get real: You can either maintain a spotless bathroom or raise small children — not both. As long as the toilet is scrubbed and there’s no science experiment growing in the corner, you’re in the clear. Guests will step inside, glance around, and feel more at home than anywhere else in your house. Because let’s face it: It’s completely normal to have toys scattered in your bathtub.
If you haven’t yet discovered this as a parent, your child is still in the crawling and drooling phase: young kids simply cannot be expected to tidy up after themselves. When you plop your little ones into a warm bath to wash off the day’s grime, they will immediately request their favorite toys. Expect buckets, dinosaurs, and even some unidentifiable creatures that probably once belonged to a long-lost era. And as you try to wrap things up, chaos will ensue — Child Number Two is pouring water overboard while Child Number Three attempts to dunk Child Number One, not out of spite, but because it’s amusing.
You’ll hurriedly wrap them in towels, and as you scramble for their underwear, the tub toys will be the last thing on your mind. You’ll spot them later, lying in a sad heap, but you’ll be too exhausted to do anything about it. Sound familiar? Everyone has been there. Anyone who claims otherwise is either exceptionally organized or simply not telling the truth.
It’s also completely normal for your vanity to resemble a makeup explosion site. Whether it looks like a Sephora or a Target cosmetics section, the chaos of your beauty routine is uniquely yours, even if it resembles a teenager’s makeup meltdown. You might even have remnants of college makeup lurking in the back — yes, that gold shimmer eyeshadow you can’t find anywhere anymore. And let’s not forget your partner’s deodorant that’s crammed into the corner of your vanity, because that space is sacred.
Then there are the toothbrushes – your kids have a plethora, each adorned with characters from the latest pop culture trends (Paw Patrol! Star Wars!) and often left strewn about the sink rather than tucked away in their holder. You might remind them daily to clean up, but they continue to leave them on the counter like it’s their personal playground.
And let’s talk about the floor. It’s a minefield of items: clothes strewn everywhere because, well, it’s the bathroom — the place where clothes come off. Towels litter the floor, despite the hooks nearby, as if a law were passed decreeing that only moms should use those hooks. Meanwhile, your kids treat the floor as the ultimate drying solution, which, spoiler alert, is not efficient.
Your decor? Don’t even get me started. Sure, you might have a slight color scheme going, but with the children’s occasional bathroom mishaps, your once-coordinated space now resembles a chaotic collage. Your shower curtain is likely a relic from your college days or a last-minute purchase from a discount store. And those mismatched towels? They tell a story, too — one of constant use and wear.
Dust is another unwelcome guest. Your mirrors are probably smeared within seconds of being cleaned, and the dust bunnies on your window sills have formed a small colony. Why are bathrooms eternally dusty? Those shower caddies that promised organization? They’ve left behind rust stains that you swear you’ll tackle one day — when you find a spare moment between parenting and life.
Let’s be clear: Your bathroom is perfectly acceptable. Just give the toilet a good scrub, make sure there’s toilet paper on hand, and toss in a clean hand towel. Your space is ready to welcome guests, especially those with kids or any friend who understands the realities of family life. Because this is the truth: our bathrooms are just as chaotic as our lives.
For more insights into managing the chaos of parenthood, including tips on fertility, check out our post on fertility boosters for men at Make a Mom. If you’re seeking resources on pregnancy and insemination, Women’s Health offers excellent information. And for more parenting wisdom, don’t miss this article on Modern Family Blog.
In summary, embrace the clutter, the toys, and the chaos of your bathroom. It’s a reflection of a life well-lived, filled with memories and moments. You’re not alone in this journey — every parent faces the same challenges!