Every mum knows the feelings of 'messy house guilt' when it comes to looking at the clutter that has somehow managed to find it's way into every room in your home. There can be a certain stigma associated with not having your surroundings as neat as a new pin, but, here at MummyPages we know that every family can live their best lives - whether their homes are like a home interior display - or not as is generally the case when you have any child under five.
Having a 'messy' home can be a very good thing indeed, and here are five reasons why:
It helps the little ones be creative
Who doesn't remember using the bed covers as a special 'tent' or clamouring over the neatly-folded, clean pile of washing (sorry mum) to get to the imaginary treasure on the other side? Bits and pieces left out or strewn here and there can encourage them to use their imaginations - just don't leave the lipstick out for them to 'practice' writing on the wallpaper. It's just not as easy to clean as the clothes.
It teaches them the value of chores
If your kids - or let's be real, your other half! - always know you as the 'one' who'll clean up after a mess has been unleashed after dinner is done, how will they ever really learn the value of chores or general helpfulness? It's good to set that shared responsibility train up really early on. If the kids spill the ENTIRE box of lego across the floor, let them know that they have to at least help with the tidying. A 'chore' wheel is also a nice idea; giving each one their own small tasks to complete.
It takes some pressure off you
Having to constantly keep the house in a state of near perfection every day is draining - heck, even thinking of reaching such an unattainable daily goal is mentally exhausting. If you take that pressure away, by reassuring yourself that, yes, a little clutter around the living room won't end the world, you'll be amazed at how the end-of-day stress will lighten.
It helps to make different kinds of memories
This writer vividly remembers the joys of treasure hunting in the 'messiest' room in our home. In reality, it wasn't strictly mess at all, just a room where we kept all random things, but I loved it - never knowing what I'd stumble upon. To this day, I remember bringing my dad an old watch and having him explain to my four-year-old self "why it didn't tick-tock." I'd never have found it in a dust-free, neat room.
And finally, it doesn't really matter all that much
The main thing is that you have a house, filled with happiness. Clutter doesn't make the memories. You and your family do. And at the end of the day, that's all that really matters.
