Not As Impressive As It Looks
Posted in life in Stuck-Up, parenting and tagged with cleaning, parenting, reading, smug on 08/07/2009 03:33 pm by Jerseygirl89When I said that I read a lot, or mention that I blog, or say something about writing some web content, people seem impressed. Not, you know, because they’ve read my brilliant writing but because they note that I have three small kids. And no nanny, cleaning lady or daycare. (I realize that this is perfectly normal in most parts of the world. But not so much around here.) They wonder where I find the time.
I’ve recently made room in my world for exercise again. And I do read a lot. And blog (though not as much lately). And write. And sometimes I play with my children. And I feed them. And I make sure they don’t kill each other. I realized, as I incorporated exercise into my life again, that it’s possible to fit in the things I really want to do.
What I don’t really do is clean. I mean, there are clean dishes (a trick since our current dishwasher seems to have died recently), clean clothes and clean sheets. There’s usually not any mold growing in the toilet. I try to sweep after every meal, if only to prevent ChunkyMonkey eating food from the floor. But I’m not a cleaner. I have to be inspired to mop, or to dust or to clean under the couches.
I LIKE it when things are clean, but given a choice between reading and vacuuming, the book is going to win.
But I never know how to answer people when they seem to be impressed with what I can do in a day. Do I admit that my house is messy and cluttered? That my kids ask me what I’m doing every time I mop? That my kids watch too much TV? Or do I just give them a smug smile?
August 7th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Just say, “Oh thanks, that’s so sweet of you!” and smile. No need to let the cat out of the bag.
August 8th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Oh, I’m with you on the book winning or the computer or the coffee. Oh hell, anything wins over cleaning. Great now I sound like a lazy negligent parent, which I am not.
My mother had cleaning OCD and I think it scarred me for life. I would LOVE a housecleaner though, because like you I really do love a clean house.
August 8th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I’m with Me and The Voices: smile and gloat. I wish anyone ever complimented me that way.
August 9th, 2009 at 2:34 am
Cleaning is the first duty I cast aside. ALWAYS.
I’d just smile and let them be impressed.
August 9th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Tell it’s the crack and methamphetamines that keeps you going at such a torrid ace.
August 10th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Smile wickedly and tell them you trade your husband sexual favors if he cleans the house.
The dustbunnies in my house are about to stage a coup and we’ll be homeless. Plus, I’m not sure what that substance was the dog licked off the floor last night. But it’s gone now, so who cares?
August 12th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Admit nothing and smile.
I, at one time, was a cleaning freak. As time has gone on I’ve realized that cleaning sucks and there are so many better ways to waste my time.