When we walked through the door after our last big family trip, I was met with an unexpected sight—clean floors and an empty laundry room! Honestly, it felt like Christmas morning, only better. The kids were thrilled too, though they didn't quite grasp why having a spotless home was such a big deal. My mom and dad swooped in to help during our absence, giving me the rare gift of a fresh start. I couldn’t help but feel grateful, even if it also made me realize how much work still lay ahead.
Our kitchen sparkled like it hadn’t in weeks, and the sink was completely clear. All except for one stubborn suitcase sitting by the door, a relic from our trip to Michigan. I promised myself I’d tackle it soon, but honestly, every time I thought about unpacking, I got distracted by something else.
This moment of clarity reminded me of what I once had—a tidy home—but now, life with three kids has shifted priorities. My Type-A tendencies might scream at me to keep things perfect, but the truth is, perfection is fleeting. Still, I can’t deny the satisfaction of walking into a clean space. It feels like a reset button, a chance to breathe deeply before the chaos begins again.
As I stood there admiring the neatness, I reflected on how far we’ve come as a family. My kids are learning to pitch in, albeit slowly. They’ll pick up toys when asked, but the process often involves a lot of reminders—and maybe a few bribes. It’s a work in progress, but it’s progress nonetheless.
One thing I’ve been trying to adjust lately is my mindset. For years, I’ve been guilty of constantly urging my kids to hurry. Whether it was getting ready for school or preparing for outings, my vocabulary seemed to revolve around that word. But lately, I’ve realized that this habit wasn’t serving anyone—not me, not them, and definitely not our family dynamic.
A friend recently shared an insightful article about slowing down and letting kids set the pace. Her words resonated deeply with me: “These kids know something. When you let them lead the way and set the pace, everyone and everything just seems a bit more peaceful.†It made me wonder why I had been so quick to rush. Was it fear of being late? Or perhaps a desire to control every moment? Whatever it was, I knew I needed to change.
I stumbled upon another article with a similar theme, this time from Rachel Macy Stafford’s piece on HuffPost. If you haven’t read it, stop everything and do so—it’s transformative. She talks about the importance of savoring moments instead of racing through them, and I found myself nodding along. Life isn’t a race, and neither is parenting. Sometimes, the best memories happen when you take your foot off the gas pedal.
In the end, I decided to embrace the chaos a little more. Sure, the floors won’t stay spotless forever, but maybe that’s okay. Maybe the real treasure lies in the journey, not the destination. And hey, at least I have a clean house to remind me of what’s possible.
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