Clutter
I started writing this post a while back, I admit that I’ve been reluctant to post it because it’s always been something very embarrassing to talk about. I’ve decided to post this because I know I’m not alone, being a mother of young children makes it hard to keep a clean house. It doesn’t make you a slob. they will grow older and it will slowly get easier.
I’ve talked about how having young children makes keeping the house clean impossible, especially when you live with your mother in law and can expect to have people over at any time. I used to be very organized and I’ve always enjoyed organizing. Getting a full time cleaner was life changing for me. I was pregnant with my youngest at the time, working on renovating a couple of rooms for my mother in law. I didn’t have the energy to keep the house clean and laundry folded, I only ironed what was necessary. Hiring her was clearly what I needed. I noticed that when my house was clean all the time, (well as clean as it gets with four young children) I lost my temper less frequently, was angry less, and was more my calm cool self! What a difference a clean house makes! My problem was my messy house was a constant embarrassment. My mother in law would come upstairs and she might comment about the toys on the floor or tell my kids they needed to help me more and that would bother me. (She never meant it to criticize me, she was just trying to help. Though I love her so much, I never liked hearing about my messy house because I was very aware of it and I hated it. Even when my young nephews and nieces came to visit, though they never commented and were probably oblivious to the mess, it bothered me so much. I used to take pride in how organized I was. Especially since I did try, I did make an effort, I had plastic containers for toys I had a book shelf for toy containers, I tried labeling them with photos. (all my kids were too young to read) I even made a chart with all my kids and their cousins names do they could place their name on the toy category they were playing with in hopes it motivated them to pick up after themselves. It didn’t make much of a difference. Some kids cleaned up, some kids didn’t. sometimes the kids were rushed downstairs because the parents were leaving. I didn’t mind having kids over. I love kids and they are well behaved if slightly messy. I understand the joy of dumping a bucket of toys on the ground.
I did learn to set boundaries. When I held parties, I Iearned to lock the bedrooms and only keep a few toys out for the kids who arrived early to play with. I tried my best to keep the house as clean as possible and always celebrated a shiny sink with my YOU friends. I tried all the tips and tricks I could find and I was subscribed to “Fly Lady” and `I admit she helped a lot.
Hiring a full time cleaner made such a difference! I remember the first Eid after I hired her, the night befree Eid, the house was clean, decorated, all the Eid clothes was ironed and the kids showered and put to bed early. It was amazing!
The past couple of years as we started renovating our house, building a third floor and completely changing the house’s layout to accommodate our big family, the house has gotten more and more cluttered.
We have boxes of my husband’s books that he has yet to go through, we have my kitchen things in my “art room” my daughter’s things are spread out between the “art room” my old closet, and the third floor family room. My boys still haven’t completely unpacked because we are still waiting for their new dresser and my eldest’s furniture. I’m trying my best to slowly work through the clutter and organize what I can.
It is frustrating, I hate clutter and I admit that I hate people coming into my home and witnessing this clutter. Even now when its expected with the renovation, I still find it embarrassing.
That was written a while back, I came back to this post during the holy month of Ramadan, (March/April).
The week in Ramadan that I wasn’t fasting (it was that time of the month) I decided to focus on the second floor and make it “box free” I started in the boys’ room, because their closet needed organizing. I moved on to the toy room and the corridor that leads to the boys’ room that has my old closet and some storage cabinets. I got so much done and managed to make the second floor a “box free” zone. Except for my kitchen things and two boxes in my daughter’s room that she has to unpack.
The past week my kitchen was being installed finally after 8 months of living without a real kitchen. My kitchen is almost done and I’ve already started unpacking my kitchen things. It’s hard work but at the same time it’s so satisfying. I can’t wait to finish and then the second floor will really be clutter free!
If you’ve ever moved, or rearranged your house than you know what a relief it is to empty that last box and have your house feel like a home.