There’s a lot I want to share with you about navigating life — starting with the importance of not being a jerk. That means learning to share, exercising empathy, showing kindness, putting in effort, and a whole lot more. Sadly, judging by the current state of our home, I may have overlooked a critical lesson under that “don’t be a jerk” category: please, for the love of everything, return your items to their rightful places.
If you’re in need of a clearer guide, let me break it down for you. All the stuff scattered around the house? Believe it or not, my young ones, there are designated spots for each item. (I know, shocking, right?) Here are a few key locations:
The Trash Can
I’m getting quite tired of retrieving flattened fruit snack wrappers from between the couch cushions. Our living room resembles a snack bar explosion. The remnants of string cheese — and sometimes even half-eaten, petrified pieces — clutter your bedrooms (where, by the way, eating is a no-go, but we’ll tackle that another time). Juice boxes, remnants of tape, crumpled paper, chewed gum, and random sticks and bottle caps — these all belong in that rectangular plastic container in our kitchen, commonly referred to as “the trash” or “the garbage.”
The Dishwasher
It seems you think that when you leave your dirty dishes around, some fairy magically cleans them and puts them back in the cupboard. News flash: that fairy is actually called “Mom,” and she’s getting pretty fed up. Seriously, the time I spend gathering your crusty bowls and rogue spoons could be better spent doing other things. Luckily for you, we have a magical appliance in our kitchen that cleans your dishes. All you need to do is place them inside. Open the door, pull out the rack, insert your dish, and close the door. I know you can remember that because I’ve seen you conquer complex video games with ease.
The Hamper
I understand that my taste in décor might not always resonate with you, but that tall bin in the laundry room and the shorter ones in every bedroom aren’t just for show. They’re supposed to be functional! That’s where your dirty clothes should go. I don’t want to find them on the bathroom floor, or scattered along the path from your room to the shower, or anywhere other than the one place designated specifically for them: the clothes hamper.
The Closet
I get it. You might need your shoes in a hurry when a friend comes knocking for an impromptu bike ride. But I assure you it will only take a few extra seconds to grab your shoes from where they actually belong. It may even save you time in the long run since you spend at least five minutes every day searching for them where you last discarded them without a care.
The Toy Box
You know how grocery stores organize items on shelves? That’s because if everything were just thrown all over the floor, it would be a chaotic mess — much like your bedrooms when you neglect to return toys to their designated spots. You know that box made just for your toys? Yep, that’s called the toy box.
The Toilet
While we’re discussing proper disposal, let’s address where you handle your bodily functions. There’s a toilet bowl with water. Aim there, please. And boogers? They don’t belong on the wall, wiped on your mattress, or on your fingers at all. This is why I keep our home stocked with these handy little things called tissues.
By revisiting where everything belongs, I hope to achieve a tidier home. Or at least one that doesn’t make me weep over the absence of a housekeeper who isn’t me. You can help with that, right? Because, lest I forget, not being a jerk begins with being considerate to your mother.
And if you’re looking for more parenting tips and guidance, check out our post on couples’ fertility journey or discover delightful ideas for gatherings over at Strawberry-Themed Ideas. For those curious about further fertility resources, IVF is an excellent option to explore.
Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of teaching children responsibility and cleanliness by showing them where their belongings belong, from the trash can to the toy box. It humorously highlights common household messes and offers solutions to maintain order, ultimately fostering respect and consideration within the family dynamic.