Thursday, September 16, 2010

Family Utopia?

Mr. Wonderful finally, got the opportunity to go to days at his work. Yay! This is something that we have been hoping and waiting for a very long time. While I am very happy that we are able to be a family once again during the week, it is going to take some time to re-adjust.

The first couple of days went smoothly enough, a honeymoon period, if you will. The kids were well rested, happy to have everyone home together and were willing to listen.

However, this soon gave way complete chaos and utter disarray. The fourth day, yes, it only took four days, brought a raining, gloomy day and sour, icky attitudes. Unfortunately, the attitude issues weren't limited to only the kids, it also blanketed Mr. Wonderful.

Why do I think this happened? Its pretty easy to figure out actually. Every time that Mr. Wonderful is able to be home at night, our bedtime routine flies out the window. This time, however, the bedtime routine got the boot three nights in a row.

Why is it that it seems so much easier for Daddy to allow kids to break the rules? Is it just my house, my husband, my kids? Why am I always the one who has to be 'sheriff'? The one to pull the kids back in line? The one to point out the fact to all of them, that 'we have bedtime for a reason'? I guess that is just one of the many joys of mommy-hood.

So, tonight, each of the kids went to bed a little earlier and we are looking forward to a calm tranquil morning...hey, I can dream can't I?

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Domestic Diva??? More Like Domestic Dud!

When I first moved out of my parents house, I moved in with a friend of mine and her husband. They kept a clean house, not spotless, but clean and I followed suit. I kept my stuff out of the main part of the house and in my room. My room was fairly tidy and orderly.

Then I moved in with Mr.l Wonderful (before he was Mr. and just Wonderful)...his apartment was spotless. He expected everything to be put back exactly where it came from with no exceptions. Not a problem, this was not hard to follow.

Then Mr. Wonderful and I moved in with his mother, we took over the basement...here is where it all seemed to fall apart. I don't know what the reason was, whether it was because the space didn't belong to us or what, but all housekeeping rules were thrown out the window. In a BIG way. It seemed as if we didn't pick up anything...

When I moved out of his moms basement, I bought a trailer. It wasn't much, a single wide, and it needed A LOT of work before I could move in. I had every intention of keeping it basically clean and for the most part, I believe I did.

Finally, we get the house. At first, it was just the two of us...no big deal to keep up with the house. Then enter Mr. Dino-man...I started staying home with him. I don't remember thinking too much about the house and whether or not it was clean...but looking at photos of when he was a baby and looking at my house now...holy crap! I don't know what happened.  Honest to goodness...it used to be CLEAN.

While I may never have had a great skill for keeping the house clean, whatever skills I did have are completely non-existent now.

I have a hard time believing that I have let my house...my families house get as bad as it is. The living room, for the most part is cluttered, but not too bad. But that is basically the only room that this statement can be made about.

I seem to have an aversion for putting away laundry. I don't mind washing, drying even folding clothes...but when it comes to putting them away...I don't know what happens. What I do know is that I have (no kidding) 10 to 15 baskets full of clean laundry that is ready to put way in my bedroom at any given time.

The kids can't even walk into their bedrooms without stepping over (or on) something. I say that it isn't my responsibility to clean it for them...but completely realize that I am also not teaching them to do this either.

Mr. Wonderful says I am taking over the whole house with my mess...I can no longer disagree with him. I have. Completely. The upstairs, the main part of the house, the basement, even the garage and back room.

I am committed to making a change this year. I will get my house on track. I will not continue to let my families home spiral out of control.

It isn't fair to them...or to me.