Last weekend, I decided to take a break. I know what you might be thinking: How does a busy mom actually manage to get some time off? Sounds impossible, right? Well, I did it, and it was nothing short of wonderful. Let me share my experience.
After feeling completely drained both mentally and physically, I still tackled the daily responsibilities that come with motherhood. Yes, I prepared meals, ensured the kids were safe, reminded them to brush their teeth, mediated disputes over toys, and attended to the never-ending list of chores. And yes, I even dealt with the occasional diaper change.
But here’s the twist: I stopped picking up after everyone.
Honestly, I was fed up. My house was a complete chaos, cluttered with homework papers, unfinished craft projects, bills, and random items like a single sock and a broken toy that someone insisted on keeping. And that was just the kitchen counters.
The couch? Well, it had become a makeshift dumping ground for laundry, pillows, toys, and more. I couldn’t even remember the last time I saw the actual couch.
Imagine how my floors must have looked. I felt like a constant nag, repeating phrases like “put this away” and “what is this doing here” thousands of times a day. I found myself stumbling over shoes, misplaced library books, and even Nerf darts stuck to bathroom mirrors.
But last weekend, I was simply too exhausted to care. I let my home become a disaster zone. If anyone had dropped by, I would’ve had to admit that the mess was purely due to my decision to take a break from picking up after my family. I had had it with seeing the same mess reappear almost instantly after I cleaned it up.
So I declared: enough is enough!
At first, my kids were bewildered. “Who is this relaxed woman?” they wondered. They were used to a version of me that was always on their case about the mess. But soon enough, they went back to their usual ways, leaving chaos in their wake.
Over those two days, I didn’t give a single thought to cleaning up. I let them build their Nerf fortresses, play with Legos in the kitchen, and generally enjoy themselves. I snuggled up on the couch with a steaming cup of tea and indulged in a “Fixer Upper” marathon. It was liberating.
What surprised me was how much fun my kids had. Without the nagging, they played together, built forts, and engaged in epic Nerf battles. It felt like they needed a break from the “clean-up police” just as much as I did.
So, how messy was my house by the end of the weekend? Surprisingly, it wasn’t much different from usual. By Sunday evening, I felt rested and ready to tackle the clutter again. Together, we put away the Legos, stored the Nerf guns, and cleaned up the kitchen. Nothing significant was damaged, and for two whole days, my kids didn’t hear me nag about the mess (well, mostly). By Monday morning, we were back to our regular routine of organizing and tidying up.
In hindsight, I think I’ll treat myself to another weekend off soon. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to take a break too. It’s refreshing for both you and your family.
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Summary
Taking a break from cleaning up after my family was a game-changer. It allowed my kids to enjoy their playtime without the usual nagging, and surprisingly, the mess wasn’t as daunting as I expected. Sometimes, stepping back is just what a family needs.