Let’s be real, fellow messy moms—put that broom down and stop the empty promises of becoming more organized. We both know that those resolutions often lead to late-night pie binges at the kitchen sink. So what if guests are on their way? No need to apologize for your clutter; we’re all navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood.
Not long ago, I was at a friend’s house for dinner when she lamented, “I’m sorry—it’s a mess; we just got back from vacation.” I couldn’t help but joke, “If this is messy, wait until you see my place!” Her idea of a mess consisted of a few stray shoes and a small pile of unopened mail. My husband and I? We’re in the thick of it—our home could easily qualify as an obstacle course.
Since welcoming our little one, the state of our home has only deteriorated. Just last week, I committed to a “deep clean,” vowing to keep things tidy moving forward. Yet, here I am again—stepping over toys while attempting to reheat my coffee for the umpteenth time. The cycle continues, and when I occasionally manage to tidy up, it lasts only moments before chaos reigns again.
As a stay-at-home mom, you’d think I’d have more time to manage the mess—but that’s not the case. My toddler finds joy in emptying every drawer and cabinet, leaving a trail of toys and clutter in his wake. Unlike some, who seem to have an innate ability to maintain cleanliness, I was not blessed with that skill.
Sure, I could try to put a positive spin on things—“Our home is messy, but we’re really living it up!”—but let’s be honest: my kitchen counters are so cluttered that ordering takeout is often the only option. I’m not the creative type who thrives in disarray; instead, I find it stifling.
Despite our chaotic household, our son seems unfazed. Right now, he’s happily munching on remnants of last night’s dinner while I contemplate how to address the mess that surrounds me. You might expect me to provide a magical solution or declare, “It’s time to clean!” but the truth is, I’m a work in progress in this realm.
Today, I plan to crank up some music, set a timer, and tackle the mess—at best, I might unload the dishwasher and throw in a load of laundry. Somehow, amidst the chaos, I still find moments for self-care, yoga, and cooking meals every night.
As I navigate the challenges of parenting, cleaning remains a low priority. My house is so messy that I couldn’t even fake a Pinterest-perfect photo unless I used a filter labeled “someone else’s house.” The idea of hiring help sounds increasingly appealing; I’d be more than happy to embrace the life of a yuppie mom with a maid and live-in nanny.
A friend recently offered to trade cleaning services for some homemade freezer meals. She even said she enjoys cleaning—bless her heart! I’ve attempted the “be grateful for the mess you have” approach, but it usually leads to me getting the vacuum out, only to abandon it mid-clean for some TV highlights.
Just the other day, my husband complimented me on how great the bathroom smelled, and I sheepishly admitted, “I just added a few drops of tea tree oil to the toilet.” And when a friend tried selling me cleaning products, I had to explain that while they might work wonders, my cleaning budget is currently zero since I’m not buying any supplies.
It’s safe to say I embrace my messy mom status. When I do manage to clean, I can’t help but share it with the world—posting on social media and calling my mom to brag about folding laundry. Can I ever change my ways and maintain some semblance of order? I dream of the day when I can sit down to dinner and not have to wash two forks because I forgot to start the dishwasher.
Until then, I wake up to the reality of my child once again playing in the recycling. If you’re also navigating this messy journey, remember you’re not alone in this adventure.
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