My husband and I bought our house before we had kids, so at first our home was our baby. We lovingly stripped wallpaper and painted ceilings, refinished floors and installed new appliances. Then we scrubbed and vacuumed the place corner to corner every weekend.
A few years later, I held a toilet brush in one arm and a newborn in the other. Picture my toddler capsizing a laundry basket filled with burp rags and Dora pajamas, jumping in the pile, then spilling milk on the carpet just minutes after I’d scrubbed the stain from the day before.
With children at home, whether they’re babies or toddlers or teens, housecleaning is like trying to rake the lawn in a tornado. You can scratch the grass all you want, but debris is still gonna fly, sisters. So what’s the solution? Wait for the storm to pass, right? In other words, clean when the kids are gone or sleeping. But what frazzled mom wants to spend a rare quiet hour cleaning?
I recall one notable afternoon when my girls were small. Little sister napped in her crib while big sister was at preschool. In those odd, tranquil moments, I usually felt pressured to relax and read a book or do something that counted as “me time.” But you should’ve seen the sticky mystery blotches on my kitchen tile—like Venus fly traps for socks and stray cereal crumbs. The urge to clean gripped me. I had to scrub the floor.
At first my strategy was to get the job over with as fast as possible, so I could move on to something indulgent. But as I whirled the mop across the room, it occurred to me, this IS something indulgent. No little legs scurried around me; no sweet voices begged to play outside. I heard only the tranquil hum of the dishwasher and my own random thoughts. So, I scrubbed and scoured and sashayed through that kitchen like I owned the place.
Wait a second. I do own this place. Isn’t that fantastic? I’m not the Maid, for crying out loud! I am the queen.
And this house is my castle.
When was the last time you viewed your home as a prized possession rather than a chore? Years ago, as new homeowners, my husband and I cherished our space—every wall, every countertop, every square foot of carpet was something to tend gratefully and with pride. But somehow in the daily grind of child care and clutter, my castle lost its magic. It became a loud, unceasing mess to maintain, instead of what it should be—my safe haven.
I decided that day, I want my haven back. So I claimed a fresh perspective on housework, and I encourage you to adopt it—for your own peace of mind.
• Dusting is tedious. But loving my family is not, and housework is one of the ways I care for them.
• Wiping bathrooms is gross. But clean tap water sure is a blessing. And so are piles of dishes and bags of groceries to unload and a thousand other conveniences that millions of people in this world live without.
• Laundry is no party. But sorting colors with two little girls can be a rollicking good time—especially when somebody dances around wearing underwear on her head and we all burst into giggles. (Yes, I’ve done that.)
Housework might be more challenging with a family underfoot. But they make your house a home, your safe haven, your castle. So never forget, beautiful moms—you are the queen.
Blessings,
Becky
This post contains an excerpt from The SuperMom Myth: Conquering the Dirty Villains of Motherhood (Shiloh Run Press) by Becky Kopitzke. Used by permission.
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Does your journey through motherhood look different from what you imagined?
Do you struggle to measure up to your own standards?
Do you sometimes wish you could be like that other mom who seems to have it all together?
You are not alone.
The Supermom Myth: Conquering the Dirty Villains of Motherhood, a new book by Christian mom blogger Becky Kopitzke, is designed to encourage imperfect moms to laugh at ourselves, forgive ourselves, and discover the beautiful moms God created within. Delivered with down-to-earth humor and carefully applied biblical insight, The SuperMom Myth explores eight personified “dirty villains” of motherhood, including The Grouch on the Couch (Anger), Worry Woman (Fear), The Calendar Queen (Busyness), and more. Throughout this delightful read for every mom, Kopitzke offers a gentle reminder to rest in the super power of our grace-filled God.
Visit www.TheSuperMomMyth.com for more information, including trailer videos, reviews, and details on where to buy copies for yourself and your mom friends.
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