Posted in Homemaking Secrets from My Dusty Shelves

How long should it take to deep clean a 6' x 8' bathroom?  Under "normal" circumstances, it seems that one should be able to scrub the tub and shower walls, toilet, sink, mirrors, window, and floor in a small bathroom in an hour or less.  But how long does it take to do this job with 3 toddlers in the home?  2 1/2 hours!!!!  While cleaning my bathroom yesterday I had a little one climbing on my back while I scrubbed the tub saying "I Got-cha!"  Another toddler wanted to used the toilet brush to clean the whole room.  Someone wanted to clean the shower doors for me while someone else wanted to climb into the tub for a bath.  They were after the garbage, the spray bottle, the rags, the paper towels, the disinfecting wipes.  They were laughing, playing, messing their diapers, crying, "arguing," and "cleaning" to their hearts content while I was trying to do a one hour job in less than 3!  Oh, but how blessed I am with these sweet babies. 

If you come by for a visit, you'll find our home is full of activity, toys, and children.  It is clean, but not spotless.  There is usually a basket of laundry needing to be folded, piles of paper and books here and there, and crumbs under the table.  I often say, "It's 1 step forward and 3 steps back around here" for no sooner do I get an area tidied than the little ones come up behind and undo it all and then some.  I have often felt defeated by this, but I'm learning to enjoy it.  I expect it won't be long before they're all grown and my house will be tidy as can be.  Then I will think back on these years and smile at the fun, the joy, and even the mess we shared.

Cleanliness is important.  Teaching little ones how to clean up after themselves and be diligent about their work is also important.  But more important than these things are the relationships within the family.  Enjoy your little ones, smile and laugh together, work together, but don't stress about the mess!

~ Layla