My Housekeeping Heritage
Over the weekend I was visiting with my aunt about what my grandma was like as a young mom. I've been thinking about the way she lived her life lately and how I want to emulate her. However, I realized that I didn't really know what she was like when she was facing my current stage of life. I knew her as a grandma.
One of the things my aunt mentioned, among many others, was that my grandmother was not a very good housekeeper. It just didn't come to the top of the list. She had a wash day but otherwise when she wasn't busy with farm work, she was spending time with her family, cooking meals, or serving her church. My aunt added that this was one trait she knew she inherited. To this day, she would rather go to one of her grandkids activities, than spend time cleaning her house.
I have many memories of my own childhood, particularly in the summer, when dinner dishes were still on the table the next morning. My mom kept a fine house, but there were times when it just wasn't a priority. She caught up with it eventually, and what did it hurt in the meantime?
So, I'm realizing that perhaps I would experience less stress if I would just embrace my housekeeping heritage! Both sides of my family seemed to have realized that there are numerous things more important than a spotless house. I recently mentioned to John that we don't know too many people here anyways so no one is dropping by. (KK, I promise the house will be clean for you.). I will still try to keep a clean house, but if I can choose relaxing when I need it or spending time with my kiddos outside, I'm going to do that.
One of the things my aunt mentioned, among many others, was that my grandmother was not a very good housekeeper. It just didn't come to the top of the list. She had a wash day but otherwise when she wasn't busy with farm work, she was spending time with her family, cooking meals, or serving her church. My aunt added that this was one trait she knew she inherited. To this day, she would rather go to one of her grandkids activities, than spend time cleaning her house.
I have many memories of my own childhood, particularly in the summer, when dinner dishes were still on the table the next morning. My mom kept a fine house, but there were times when it just wasn't a priority. She caught up with it eventually, and what did it hurt in the meantime?
So, I'm realizing that perhaps I would experience less stress if I would just embrace my housekeeping heritage! Both sides of my family seemed to have realized that there are numerous things more important than a spotless house. I recently mentioned to John that we don't know too many people here anyways so no one is dropping by. (KK, I promise the house will be clean for you.). I will still try to keep a clean house, but if I can choose relaxing when I need it or spending time with my kiddos outside, I'm going to do that.
posted by MJ at
9:46 PM
2 Comments:
You don't need to clean for me, although I know I would clean better if you were coming to visit me too! It doesn't matter how well or often I clean anyway, Claire finds something to put in her mouth!
By
Unknown, At
8:21 AM
I think it's a matter of how you choose to define clean....clean as in tidy - some semblance of order and no major bacteria outbreaks, or clean as in "you could eat off the floor and run around and touch every surface with a white glove." Embrace your heritage babe! :) As my mom always said, "Dirt keeps." And, I try to remind myself of that every time I look at my daughter, in disbelief, and realize how fast she is growing up!
By
badger girl, At
12:35 PM
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