Would you join the new wave of mums embracing domestic chaos, prioritising good times with the kids over doing the dishes?
My home couldn’t be further from the super-stylish homes I like to trawl through on Pinterest, I have tried my best within my current setting and I’m happy with that – I’d rather spend time with my boy than tidy. It's a fact, no shame about it.
To put a positive spin on it the clutter that surrounds us as parents – the random stickers, the glitter-covered creations, the mysterious remnants of toys – becomes a priceless document of our lives.
'Clutter becomes a poignant document of our lives'.. Think on that for a moment and make of it what you will.
Just as men aren’t expected to come back from work and start mopping the kitchen floor, nor are women feeling that this is in their job description. We are realising as a society that women are entitled to do as much or as little as they want, whether that means letting the house become messy, paying someone else to help with the cleaning, or doing it together at the weekend, It’s a healthy attitude to have and we can only gain from it, in terms of having a sense of value and a sense of self.
Don’t aim to be perfect, even if we embark on motherhood with high hopes for our domestic credentials, this often changes.
Be honest It’s becoming common to enjoy normality – the real, flawed chaos of parenthood.
Of course, we’re not suggesting you live in an unhealthy house. It’s about prioritising, finding shortcuts and ditching ideals. ‘Your physical surroundings can affect your mental state’ is a mantra i live by, so, if your home has stopped making you feel calm and happy, and started making you anxious, then you need to clear up. Otherwise, it’s a question of finding a happy balance for you and your kids – even if it involves dodging Lego and regaining your sense of humour about those sticky handprints up the stairs.