Why You Should NOT Clean Your House

A friend of mine is coming over in a bit for a play date with her two kids.  Am I picking up my house before they come over?  No, I’m blogging about why I (and you) should not clean up before a playdate.  I used to get spun up about having people come over, running around trying to pick up toys and perpetuate the illusion that I have it all together.  Then I got pregnant with baby #2, and all of this came to a screeching halt.  I still clean my house regularly and maintain a neat and orderly home, but I don’t stress about it when people come over anymore.  Here’s why:

• When another mom is coming over to play, she is mostly likely leaving behind a very messy house herself.
  
• If a “friend” judges you for having a messy house, they are NOT someone you need to waste your time on.  Motherhood is hard enough. Surround yourself with people who uplift you.
  
• It’s the circle of life.  Your house will be messy.  Your house will be clean.  Why clean it up just so someone else can come over and mess it up?
  
• This is something I guarantee you:  If another mom comes over for a play date and sees dishes in your sink, toys on the floor, and a stuffed animal “napping” in the bathroom sink, she will be relieved that you are normal and that she isn’t the only one who struggles with keeping an orderly house.
  

I will never forget the episode of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” where Debra rushes around cleaning and vacuuming her house before their friends come over that night.  Ray is trying to stop her frantic cleaning, explaining that she is creating “the fake house.”  Stop rushing around trying to create the fake house.  Enjoy your morning.

- Grace

Related posts:

1. Your House Doesn’t Need To Be That Clean
2. Want to be a Good Host? – Make Your Guests Feel Welcome!
3. Take Time and Relax
4. Cleaning Ninjas
5. Less Really Is More