Keeping a Guilt-Free Home
One of the hugest favors I have done for myself since becoming a stay-at-home mom has been to remove the guilt from the “housekeeping” part of my job. I am a mom who takes my job of child raising just about as seriously as I do my job of keeping my home. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to be home with my children day to day. Some big sacrifices have been made to put me here. Instead of seeing the work that needs to be done as a burden, by seeing it as something to be thankful for, I have found an appreciation, respect and responsibility for my home. To me, it’s not just enough to have both children alive at the end of the day.
Removing The Guilt From Homemaking
We’ve all heard it before: Do what you love and love what you do. I know that what I do at home each day with my kids and for my family is a job, sometimes a thankless one and one that can be stressful, tiring and overwhelming. A shift in perspective makes it one that is full of love, laughter, and priceless moments, albeit moments between loads of laundry. It’s a small price, I think.
My home is not a chore - Plain and simple, taking care of my home and yard are parts of being a homemaker. I can either see them as burdens or blessings. Taking them on as burdens decreases my productivity and makes my days less fun. No, I don’t enjoy scrubbing toilets, but I do enjoy being home with my children each and every day. And for that, an hour a week on my knees in the bathroom isn’t a big deal, if I see it for what it really is. Something that needs to be done and will get done more quickly if I simply see it as part of making my home comfortable for everyone.
Taking pride in a home - There are two parts to this. I take pride in a tidy, comfortable home for those of us that live here and those that visit. I have done my best to simplify and streamline my home so that more time is spent with my kids than is spent cleaning. My hubby gets weekends to spend all day with his wife and kids. I take pride in not having him spend those days doing things I could have done all week. I take pride in a home that can be tidied and cleaned in an hour. The job has to get done, but I can control how long it takes by taking small steps each day. On the other hand, I take pride in my home feeling lived-in and welcoming. There are scratches on the furniture and even a few crayon marks. Toys get strewn about. We’re all human afterall. But I try not to use my children as an excuse for me not taking care of my home.
Make it a game - so many of the things that need to be done around the house can be things that get done with the help of my kids rather than in place of spending time with them. Even my 18 month old knows how to grab a towel and wash a window. Whether it is folding laundry, swiffering floors or making beds, the work can be made easier and much more fun by making it a game for everyone.
Set an example - I can’t think of a better way to teach my kids respect and appreciation for what they have than to show them that it’s important to take care of those things. I believe that a respect for what we do have can immediately be shown by how it’s cared for.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Love this, Emily! What an awesome encouragement and motivator. You have a great attitude. Stumbled.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
what a great post! blogs like yours have inspired me to make my home one i can ‘do’ in an hour, too.
of course, i don’t have kids, so that probably makes it easier for me. but the reminder that we should care for our things with gratitude- not shuffle them about tiresomely- is always timely.
neimanmarxists last blog post..Using Up
August 20th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I especially like what you said about not letting our children act as an excuse for not keeping up the home. They definitely introduce some challenges, but I find that if I just do a little bit at a time and clean up as the goes, I’m really not ever left with an unmanageable mess.
Alison @ This Wasn’t In The Plans last blog post..Do I Budget or Just Keep Track of Expenses?
August 20th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
You summed it up so perfectly! I’m all for every point made. Love your new look.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
as a work outside of the home mom - keeping a guilt free, stream lined home is really important to me. I do confess, I once had a house cleaner. Sure, it was great. Sure, it was expensive too!! It didn’t teach the kids responsibility though. And, it seemed like we took less care of the house knowing that someone else would come in behind us. I can’t say I love to clean my house but I can say I love a clean house.
Denises last blog post..Pretty Powerful Punch
August 20th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
oh, love the new look!
Denises last blog post..Pretty Powerful Punch
August 20th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Thank you for a great post. This part hit me the most: <>
I feel like I could serve my husband better by keeping this in mind! Not that he spends all day sat & sun doing “my” chores, but it’s a good reminder is all.
Gidgets last blog post..Olympic Obscurity
August 21st, 2008 at 7:49 am
This is simply a great post - so inspirational and supportive. Thanks for the great reminders…
beachmoms last blog post..should be a fun day…
August 21st, 2008 at 11:26 pm
You have a great perspective! Thanks for sharing it.
Renaes last blog post..Motivating Students with Relevant Lessons
August 24th, 2008 at 7:52 am
[...] Keeping A Guilt-Free Home at Remodeling This Life [...]
August 25th, 2008 at 12:21 am
[...] Keeping a Guilt-Free Home is what Emily from Remodeling This Life talked about this past week. Great post for you current and potential stay-at-home spouses. :) Cool new theme, too. [...]