Today was a really busy day and I didn’t find the time to write anything. Usually I post a previously published post, but today I decided not to.
Instead, I’m using this mini-column to ask Non-Consumer Advocate readers tocut yourself some slack. Leave that laundry on the line an extra day, prepare a super easy dinner and hide that To-do list.
When my son asked after dinner if would play Bingo with him and a friend, I actually said yes, even though I hadn’t cleaned up from dinner yet. And you know what, we had a lot of fun. (I do like cranking that cage!) Normally, I would have told him that I didn’t have time.
I still have laundry on the line, dinner was french toast with orange wedges and my To-do list is sadly neglected.
Eh, who cares? I highly doubt I’ll be on my deathbed wishing I’d been more efficient with household chores. Seriously, cut yourself some slack.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks, I needed that.
Wonderful reminder!
Love it!
Right on! The things that are lasting we should always “spluge on”. Whenever the house gets bad enough that the dust bunnies dance around your feet–let the house fairy get busy!!! Until then, I think we should be the ones dancing a lot more often!
Words of wisdom, those. Take a break now and then. It’ll keep.
Great stuff. I try to abide by this attitude as much as possible!
I’ve not been much of a housekeeper since having kids. My house is usually messy, but not dirty. That’s fine with me, I’ll take cuddling a babe over scrubbing grout any day! 🙂
Thanks, Katy! If you only knew how I needed this today. It’s like one of those sermons where you think that the preacher is speaking directly to you.
AMEN! prech it sista!
Ha! Yesterday two friends stopped by during my normal housekeeping hours (while the kids nap) and I had to remind myself a few times to NOT WORRY about getting dinner on the table or the house picked up. People are more important.
Let things go, O.K. But clothes left on a line, if I had one, would be covered in pollen and/or dust by the next morning.
I needed that. I’ve been feeling tired and burnt out and pushing myself to get that last bit of “to do” done has left me worse for wear and less prepared as I push myself to do it again the next day. So this evening I’m just sitting back with a book and putting on The Beatles.
I reposted this blog for myself! My week has been crazy busy with helping my mom, cleaning guest cottages, work and well . . . work.
And yesterday, I took a five hour nap after work.
Katy
Actually, nurturing your children is the most important part of your job, so it seems that since dishes can be done later or in fits and starts and children’s moments happen only in that one little time frame (bingo time), you did the right thing. I never had regrets about playing with my children. And, the house showed it some days.
Wow! Were in my house today? It was one shouting match in my house after another until about 4 pm when I let go and told the kids to put up the school work. Whatever wasn’t done would have to wait. Then I ran some errands and picked up burgers. I did make 12 half pints of jelly from some free cherry juice left over from last seasons farmer’s market. I loved doing it. It was a ‘relaxing chore’ that put some yummy in the larder. We had just ran out of jam from last year so the a gratis juice was a welcome gift.
I am reading 168 Hours…and this just reinforced what she says in the book. Fantastic. Going to play now.
1. kids only want our attention for a relatively small period of time, then they are teens
2. chores are never done
3. if we died tomorrow, I doubt we say, I really wish I did the dishes last night instead of playing with my child/loved one/friend
Great reminder….actually led to a nap today.
Holy Cow! I read this yesterday, but must have just filed it away subconsciously. I totally did this today and thwarted a total mental meltdown. So glad I did….I feel so much better! Thanks for the subliminal message.