Mom vs. housekeeper
I always used to think it was crazy on The Brady Bunch that even though Mrs. Brady did not appear to have a job, they still had a full-time housekeeper. Wasn't keeping house supposed to be Mrs. Brady's job?
Now I know that sometimes "mother" and "housekeeper" are actually mutually exclusive roles.
I could be such an awesome, effective housewife--laundry clean and folded, house tidy and sparkly, files and closets and e-mails all organized--if only it weren't for these three little people who live with me.
They follow me around constantly and want me to clean them and feed them and entertain them. It really interferes with me being all Martha Stewart-y. Or even Rachel Ray-ish. It's like they love me and want me and need me or something.
It's very hard to wash dishes, fold laundry, and balance your checkbook one-handed.
It's difficult to focus on making doctor's appointments, driving people to school and dance lessons, and making grocery lists full of nutritious, healthful, yet inexpensive items when you're constantly being bombarded with requests for stories, crackers, and hugs.
It's nearly impossible to accomplish anything when your baby is crying for no apparent reason.
(I know, because I'm constantly attempting all of the above.)
So unless Alice is willing come live in my garage (and work for free), I just have to let some things go sometimes. I'm too busy being a mom to be a housewife.
Now I know that sometimes "mother" and "housekeeper" are actually mutually exclusive roles.
I could be such an awesome, effective housewife--laundry clean and folded, house tidy and sparkly, files and closets and e-mails all organized--if only it weren't for these three little people who live with me.
They follow me around constantly and want me to clean them and feed them and entertain them. It really interferes with me being all Martha Stewart-y. Or even Rachel Ray-ish. It's like they love me and want me and need me or something.
It's very hard to wash dishes, fold laundry, and balance your checkbook one-handed.
It's difficult to focus on making doctor's appointments, driving people to school and dance lessons, and making grocery lists full of nutritious, healthful, yet inexpensive items when you're constantly being bombarded with requests for stories, crackers, and hugs.
It's nearly impossible to accomplish anything when your baby is crying for no apparent reason.
(I know, because I'm constantly attempting all of the above.)
So unless Alice is willing come live in my garage (and work for free), I just have to let some things go sometimes. I'm too busy being a mom to be a housewife.
3 comments:
You know, there are so many times in a day when I look around myself and say, "Good grief, it can't be THAT hard. What's my problem?" I kick into high gear and work like crazy to get the house together and get a jump on errands and appointments. It lasts about half an hour. Then Bug brings his wagon of blocks out and I find myself sitting on the sofa holding Toad saying over and over, "That's a great tower!" Sounds like your afflicted with the same things.
And that is just the way it should be. Your three girls will be much better off having your time and attention than having a perfectly clean house. :) Hang in there.
Alice was busy cleaning the one bathroom in the house AND fixing enough red meat to send Mr. Brady's colon running from the room.
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