By no stretch do I consider myself even a little OCD when it comes to my responsibilities as a wife and mother. While I definitely have my preferred ways to doing things, I have so many things on my “to-do” list that I just don’t have the time for perfection. Sometimes the realities of life get in the way of a picture perfect life.
But, even though I try to take a chill approach to running the household, every day I’m nagged by little things around the house. Little reminders that I am so, so far from perfect.
Just a few examples:
1. The corner in my bedroom that always has a dust bunny. I try to keep the place tidy, but while I’m cleaning one room another is falling apart. Such is life in a family with four small kids:
2. Evie’s hair. It is fine and curly and beautiful. But always a mess. It takes a solid 10 (tearful) minutes to brush through the tangles, 10 minutes we don’t have most mornings. So, she goes to school looking like this:
3. Baking sheets (and pots and pans) that are spotted and dingy. When I watch cooking shows the cooking tools are always immaculate. Am I doing something wrong?!
4. My breast pump parts. I use them a few times a week, and I hate hate hate washing them. So, they always sit on the counter by the kitchen sink until the absolute last moment before I need them again. And when I need them I quickly wash them so I can put them to use…again. Sigh.
But, you know what? These imperfections are reflections of a life being well lived. A life I wouldn’t change for anything!
That corner in my room might be dusty, but aren’t I fortunate to have a warm and safe house to call home? A home with lots of corners for dust to collect in!
And, Evie’s messy hair? How lucky am I to have a daughter who is so confident in herself that she just doesn’t care if her hair is a mess! And, to have a girl who is happy to go to school!
And those messy baking sheets? I am just glad that I have a mother who instilled an appreciation for home cooking. And I am so glad to pass that love on to my kids. Mack really enjoys helping me out in the kitchen, dirtying up our baking sheets and pots and pans.
As for the breast pump parts that are a giant pain to clean? I feel so completely grateful that I’ve been able to feed my babies only my breast milk. It was an important choice for me, and I am proud of myself for making it happen. Even though pumping totally sucks.
Life is good. Even when it isn’t perfect.
Homemade Mothering is a movement that aims to simplify life and foster self-reliance while being kinder to our families and the planet. Its about encouraging people to get back to the basics when it comes to mothering and homekeeping. 
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For the days you would like smooth silky hair for those knots, we use Mane and Tail detangling spray from Sally beauty supply. And those new Wet Brush, Sally has a generic version. That is the only place I can find that spray. I have turned many people onto that stuff and they all luv it.
AMEN! Mary’s hair is in a messy ponytail approximately 99.9% of the time and if we are all fed, clothed & reasonably clean, I consider that success. Someday we will have clean, organized houses that aren’t full of little people and we will be so, so, sad about it. 🙂