July 3, 2012

Half-Assed Housework

I think I'm really going to need that top to bottom housecleaning I said I wanted.

Because I have decided that this summer, I'm totally half-assing it.

I mean seriously, with the kids home 24/7, the house doesn't stay clean for more than five minutes anyway.

And that may be a generous estimate.

There's a well-known quote that goes....


phyllis

That is 100% true!

I mean, I'm not planning to live in filth. I'm just saying, why take on any uphill battle that I don't have to?

There are things I cannot take a vacation from. Stressing about housework IS something I think I can take a break from.

I will keep up with the basics and the kids don't get off scot-free. 

I know! I'll do housework when Mark is at work. That's fair, right?

So if you come over and my house isn't spic 'n span, it's not that I'm a terrible homemaker. It's simply that I've decided not to care. For just the next two months*.

In July and August, while my kids are home and the sun is shining, I am NOT going to make cleaning a priority!

Is that wrong?

Ask me if I care.


Instead of fretting over a clean house, I will do things like read a book, go for walks, learn to crochet a hat, ride the bus somewhere and maybe take a few naps.

I will invite my friends and their kids over for play dates and I will go to their houses to cool off in their pool or have a glass of wine.

We will take mini road trips with my dad, getting to know our surroundings better.

We will go to the freaking beach because if we don't, my son might kill me in my sleep! (Yes, there are beaches in Washington. I've heard. Somewhere. Dad?)

We will garden and grill. We will make smoothies and eat our weight in watermelon and corn on the cob. I will take lots of pictures.

I am going to enjoy this summer.

Because after having two hellacious crises in two years, I, and we, deserve it.

UPDATE: I have decided on a hashtag for this little endeavor. It is #SummerSlackers! So who's with me??


*I honestly don't know if I'll mentally be able to do this.

read to be read at yeahwrite.me

31 comments:

  1. Do it chickie because in the long run, the kids won't remember the clean house but they will cherish the memories!
    Jenn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Not Cleaning has always worked for me. We have cleaning ladies every other week since I'm working. The house doesn't stay clean longer than 2 hours.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's so funny, I was ALMOST going to use that exact same quote (the one about cleaning while your kids are still growing). So tough to get motivated, but I did a major house clean yesterday, and once it was done, I felt great! You can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Go for it!! I've been really trying to let housework sit on the sidelines this summer so I don't go completely certifiable...but dammit, when we've got company coming to town to STAY at our house...at least respect the cleaning that I did do and help keep it that way for a day...please!!! As long as nobody's looking...I'm all of for half-assin it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, having company throws a monkey wrench in the whole NOT doing housework thing.

      Delete
  5. I like a clean house but I value my sanity more. Enjoy your half ass housework. Maybe we can band together and make it a thing?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We should totally make it a thing. We need a hashtag!

      Delete
  6. Totally agree!! Summer and spending the time having fun with your kids is way more important than have a perfectly clean house.
    Heck spending time with kids anytime of the year is more important.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I say do it! Its summer, time to relax and enjoy time with the kids! House cleaning will always be there, kids won't be around (and that age) forever!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good for you!! I'm inspired and I think I will pledge to do less around the house, too. And ENJOY this summer. Thank you for this. I hope you have an amazing and restful summer.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like your plan!

    I'm jumping on your bandwagon to do less this summer!

    Don't they always say that less is more?

    Hee hee!

    ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. You have to keep your sanity. Erma Bombeck said something about spending more time playing with your kids than cleaning your house, eating on the good china, driving with the top down...basically worrying less about appearances and spending time having fun, especially with the kids.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think, I'm already on that same page. Even hubby noticed it today... he came home early, saw the house spic and span. The kids came home from camp about an hour later... within 5 minutes there was a mess in the living room. I say, enjoy your summer and don't worry too much about it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I say we all take the "Strive for the Illusion of Clean" pledge. It'll be a revolution.
    I had company drop by unexpectedly On A Long freakin Weekend!! I had 40 minutes to dash to a crazy busy grocery store for more steaks, clean the house - not to mention the been outdoors outside all day children -- how in the heck? I'd be a stress mess by the time they arrived.

    know what? I ordered take out, and swept the floor, cleaned the toilet and put clean sheets on the spare bed while I waited for the delivery man. Hey -- that's all a hotel will do!
    And I didn't charge them nothing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I always want to do this, but I cannot relax if it is not clean... So instead what I have done is made my expectations MUCH lower for cleaning, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I agree with Fox ... they won't remember the messy house (as long as you don't turn into a hoarder :) ) ... but they will remember the time you spent with them and the things you did :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. One of my all time favorite quotes ever :) Sometimes - it is just not worth stressing out of a clean house (although, easier said then done!)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I wrote a post a long time ago about Sisyphus being the patron saint of housework. He was the guy cursed in Greek mythology to roll a rock up a hill and then... just as he gets allllmmost to the top...it rolls back down. FOR ETERNITY.
    thus also with housework.
    so yes by all means, take a damn break. clean only when things get crusty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since I've written this, I've realized there are times when I actually WANT to do chores. So that's the feeling I'm going with!

      Delete
  17. This is something I wrestle with all.the.time. I had to let go of a lot when D was born and now I've gotten to the point where I don't stress about it too much. The house isn't perfect, but it's decently clean. There's only so much I can do.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Let it go. When you and your kids look back, will you reminisce about how clean the kitchen floor was or about that hike you took through the stream, catching the tadpoles, that resulted in muddy footprints?

    Crises are messy, but fun is dirty too.

    Ellen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of these things...

      Delete
  19. I LOVE this! Set the bar low, feel some accomplishment and then go and enjoy your summer. Someone else said it best - your kids won't remember a less than clean house, but they'll remember a fun summer.

    If the chaos gets to much how about this? Keep one room really tidy and make that your sanctuary when you want to escape into some order.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great reminder for all us parents who are surrounded by the muck and clutter of kids and wondering when/if/how will all of it be restored to order. I like how this post is paragraphs of declarations. Inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I like the way you think! I just stumbled upon your blog and I just have to give you a hug and a thank you for this post, perfect timing I'm all for having fun and with that comes clutter and stuff, if its too neat nobody's enjoying themselves! :) Michelle W

    ReplyDelete