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Amber Hinds

Nantucket, MA
Housewife Challenges
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July 16, 2012

Not June Cleaver

I love sitting in a clean house.  I love knowing that every room is picked up, the floors are fur free (at least until someone pets the dog — NO ONE PET THE DOG!!), and there isn’t a single dish festering in the sink; knowing that I can sit guilt free at the computer and wake up in the morning to a clean slate.  Perhaps I love this state of house so much because it’s so rare.  Tonight I sit in a clean-enough house (which means anyone is welcome to visit — just don’t go upstairs) , but I can’t help reflecting on just how much work and time went into cleaning today, and how clearly I must be missing some housewife secret.

I’ve figured out how to juggle around the house two-year-old entertainment and a day’s worth of cleaning.  Which is definitely worth celebrating with a zucchini muffin turned cupcake topped with chocolate sour cream frosting.

I’ve finally figured out how to cook a nice dinner

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with Nora’s assistance, but not so much assistance that she’s full by the time we sit at the table.

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I’ve figured out how to expand Nora’s horizons, entertain and excite her for hours,

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spending lots of time spent out of the house, often with sandy toes.

I can do those things: cook, clean, and care.  Sometimes I have an amazing day where I manage to do two of the three.  But I cannot for the life of me figure out how to end a day feeling like I’ve done all three.  Cleaning is really my nemesis.  It just takes so much time away from what I think ought to be priority one: engaging and entertaining Nora.  I know it’s good for her to see me clean, I know it’s good to involve her in the process, I know it’s good for her to have time each day during which she has to self-entertain, and I know its better for all of us to live in a clean house…but why does it feel like time spent cleaning is time not spent parenting at 100%?

I’m not sure if I will ever figure that balance out, especially when I have to save time and motivation for working after she’s been jammied and tucked into bed. For now, we alternate between quality time spent together with a messy house and having a cleaner house after a day spent merely in one another’s proximity.  For now, I  fantasize about a housekeeper/dishwasher/do-er to get things done for me while I’m out pushing Nora in a swing.

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  • Jessica
    July 17, 2012

    I would rather my kids have memories of us playing together than me saying “just a minute” as I clean/change over the laundry/etc. The house will be clean when they are at school for 8 hrs a day which is just around the corner. Enjoy every minute it does go by way too fast!!!

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  • angie
    July 19, 2012

    So true, I would love to know the secret if you ever figure it out. I can have a great day with the kids or cook a really good meal (sometimes both) but boy oh boy does the housework suffer…and mine are old enough to help now.

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