How I Tackle Parenting’s Messes and Stresses?
I laugh. A LOT.
Preston is a neat freak mom’s dream come true. He isn’t a huge fan of getting dirty (although I have caught him eating sand on several occasions), rarely makes a mess, and isn’t much of a sneak.
Cameron? Total opposite. If it’s sticky, messy, or gooey she is all over it. And it is all over her. I’ve caught Cameron dumping eggs on the kitchen floor, finger painting on the coffee table with yogurt, and conditioning her hair with cream cheese.
It never ends.
I absolutely adore a clean house and refuse to admit how much time I spend trying to keep it that way. My efforts are usually futile. Toddlers love disasters. Messes are unavoidable and can be stressful (but then again I should’ve known better than to buy a white couch) but they don’t have to be.
My simple solution: laugh and when possible grab the camera!
Kids are like our own personal in home court jesters. Totally there for our amusement. Kids making scrambled eggs with their feet? LAUGH and take a picture. Daughter coated her locks in cream cheese? LAUGH and toss her a bagel (I learned that trick from a Twitter friend). Son eating a “sand cake”? LAUGH and take another picture.
These moments will someday be wistful memories. Treasure them. Embrace them. When your kids are teenagers and begging for the car keys you aren’t going to wish you spent more time mopping or dusting. You’re going to be left on that sofa waiting up for Junior thinking about the good old days. The days when sand was a hilariously delectable snack and finger painting with yogurt seemed like a perfectly good idea.
Laugh and smile as much as you can.
Enjoying a salty mess at a restaurant.
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@MsAlexandraV
SO TRUE!! Cream cheese?! When my daughter was 2 she got into the baby powder! She looked like casper the friendly (laughing) ghost! Funniest thing ever! I laughed, she laughed, and I took some pictures. No harm done! And that’s what parenting is all about, like you outlined. It’s NOT the end of the world when our kids get into things and put cream cheese in their hair! Life will go on, and we have great memories to look back on!
Alexandra recently posted… Dare to Bare – Summer Skin Tips (Part 2)
Oh yes the irresistible lure of baby powder! I know I couldnt resist it as a kid. I still use it as a weapon when play fighting with my husband : ) thanks for stopping by.
I laughed while reading this post because Cameron sounds a lot like my BellaRose. She loves a mess and loves creating them. Last week, she dumped a bottle of vitamin e oil on head. “Look Mommy! Pretty!” Thanks for the advice to laugh and take pictures.
OMG … OIL!?! You know the worst part about oily messes? You have to clean them up asap. Yes im a slacker. BUT at least your daughter has shiny and healthy hair. Always an awesome upside.
Veronica recently posted… Online learning with Lynda.com
@loveismayhem
Severus just used strawberry yogurt as moisturizer and hair conditioner, I was certainly laughing my way through that!
Monique recently posted… I Stole Your Idea: Mess Free Paint Fun
Thank god Cameron wasn’t around. She would have eaten Severus. No joke. She loves strawberry yogurt.
Veronica recently posted… Online learning with Lynda.com
@tophersgirl1
Love it! Piper is an anti-messy kid as well. She hates finger paints and if she gets paint on her hands (we give her brushes to paint with) she HAS TO STOP and wash her hands. We do this like 75 times per masterpiece, she cracks me up and wears me out simultaneously. Thanks for the reminder to take pics! I have been falling down on that lately!
Mae recently posted… Pushing Off
Oh please do take photos that sounds too too cute and I would love a peek
I love your attitude! And that’s the way I keep from going bonkers when my kids make messes, too. You should totally get a picture of Cameron doing her deep conditioning treatments! lol.
I have something for you this week. It involves lotion. Sigh.
@babybabylemon
I have to admit that I do enjoy messes a little bit more when they happen at a restaurant instead of my house…
Amy recently posted… P366: July 22nd – July 28th
Same but then again im on edge in restaurants a bit like the other day Preston decided to get up and transform and some older woman whispered and I heard the man next to her say uhhh he’s being and a kid and I kind of wanted to be like CANT YOU SEE HE’S TRANSFORMING RIGHT NOW! But ya. Messes others clean are a little better but I also clean at the restaurant so it never freaking ends.
Veronica recently posted… Online learning with Lynda.com
You are so so right! There are only so many days left that your kids will be KIDS. Just laugh it up while you can and worry about the cleanliness later
Beth @ Me as a Mommy recently posted… And then I switched
Yes yes but when you visit i’m making you clean. and you will. because youre a good friend xo
Veronica recently posted… Online learning with Lynda.com
This was just such a sweet post, Veronica. As a mother of 4 kids ranging in age from toddler to teens, I can confirm that everything you said is true. I miss those days when my little boy ran around the house with belts and long leaves hanging out of the back of his pants. “It’s a tail, Mommy!” He’s 17 and those days are long gone and you’re absolutely right… I sit on the couch thinking about those memories. Screw the clean house!
Heading over to check out Huggies Latino now.
Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud recently posted… Melancholy {Wordless Wednesday}
Thanks for the confirmation. It really feels good to hear. Time flies by and next thing you know creepy cougars will be hitting on my son on Facebook. lol
Veronica recently posted… Online learning with Lynda.com