Some days I feel like it is a mere illusion that my home looks like this.
Because my reality, living with three children and being a working mama, means it does not always look this way. Not by a long shot.
I think this might be why I hold onto these images in my mind and with my camera.
To celebrate the beauty of what can be. And these spaces can be beautiful. Especially when little imaginations bring them to life.
It is in the aftermath that they lose some of this lovely shine. And sometimes even a cleaning song doesn’t work enough magic to bring it back.
Throw some illness into the mix and it takes many a cleaning song to work that magic!
So can I tell you a secret? *shhh*
How I manage when it gets all a bit too much?
Once the children are in bed, I watch a good television show. And each ad break I pause the television and clean a room.
I start small. Often with our entrance way. Putting the shoes away in the shoe rack. Hats in the hat basket and so on.
And I slowly move through the main areas of our home. The dining room, lounge room and kitchen.
Until I can breathe again.
So tell me, how do you manage?
??? I also use parenting mantras to help myself, you can read about them here ???
Blessings, Kelly
7 Comments
I love to get the kids involved too. We sing a special song to help us pack away the days play. If they aren’t in the mood or perhaps too tired, I will wait until they’re asleep and similarly move from room to room slowly putting the pieces back together. If I sit down to watch tv there’s no chance I’m getting up again…hahaha…that’s when my lovely husband steps in ?
I usually maintain the same illusion in photographs or when we are expecting visitors too, I think most families do 🙂
I manage by having less. I have very few toys for my two-year old son. I’ve noticed he might pull them all off the shelf, but engages in only a handful so I could edit his toys even further. As I let go of more and more (not just toys, but other stuff as well) we all breath easier.
That’s a great tip!
I like to clean room by room too, but as my boys are getting older, they help out a lot especially in their room.
that’s great that they are helping more. My eldest is getting to be a great help too and it makes a big difference!
Yes, having less stuff helps but it’s hard to keep children occupied with very little if they are inside. Putting some things away and cycling the toys helps a bit and having less furniture helps too. Large cushions and floor space make it easier to play. Having siblings, friends or patient adults around helps too!