Motherhood is More Than Housekeeping

How many times have you heard that “motherhood is a 24/7 job?”

I lived most of my early years as a mom believing that this was a hard truth and I had to be on my “motherhood game” at all times. I still believe this to be true, but in a much more freeing sense. Let me explain…

I was under the false impression that motherhood included keeping my house clean, washing laundry, doing dishes, cleaning up toys, folding laundry, and on and on…

It took me too long to realize all that above is housekeeping.

Motherhood is loving your children, hugging them, reading them books, kissing their boo boos, tucking them in at night and on and on.

Motherhood IS 24/7, but housekeeping shouldn’t be.

I’m going to share with you the one simple trick that has allowed me to release a lot of stress and lighten my load.

I made housekeeping a 9-5 job.

I don’t worry about housework, budgeting, meal planning, or cleaning up outside of these hours.

Occasionally I will do a small job here and there, like starting laundry before 9, or a quick clean up of toys or dishes after dinner, but I don’t WORRY about any of it.

If it doesn’t get done by 5pm, then it doesn’t have to be done today. That’s my hard rule. This often means I kick my booty into gear at 4:30 and do a quick but thorough cleaning of the living spaces – empty kitchen sink, wipe down bathroom counter, pick up toys strewn across the living room, and pull out the vacuum if needed.

But after 5pm, I refuse to allow myself to feel bad about what’s not getting done, I refuse to dwell on unfolded laundry or dishes in the sink.