clean

Cleaning isn't the most riveting pick for a topic. But it is more fun than cleaning.

I've combed the internet a time or three, looking for some type of source where I can draw motivation. Something that tells me constantly (and by constantly, I mean every 30 minutes) picking up toys and strewn dishes has a long term benefit to shaping my little son's personality. He'll be calmer, maybe? Improved concentration? More organized? Generally a more happy adult because he wasn't living in a sea of chaos as a toddler? There has to be a concrete reason behind the stay at home mom's daily cleaning scrimmages.

Nope. Nothing.

I'm really proud when I can sit on my couch and present Matt and Carter with an uncluttered, wiped down, put away house. But you know what? I'm not really sure they care one way or another about where things are, folded laundry or clean surfaces. Feed them a big bowl of salted edamame on the couch, surrounded by clutter, and everyone's happy. (I never said we ate normal things.)

The only real benefit to cleaning that I've been able to nail down is my own sanity. And a lot of days, with Carter running circles around me, my own sanity doesn't even seem worth fighting for. When my line of vision flows past clear countertops and empty floors, I can focus. I can hug my husband a little longer. I can sit under a blanket with Carter and read a book with endless patience and enthusiasm. But things become undone just as fast as they're done. It literally makes me dizzy.

I've met moms who openly admit to always dressing the entire family from wrinkly laundry piles and never, ever picking up toys. Nope, not even after bedtime. Sometimes the extreme appalls me a little, but I find it really comforting to hear other people say it's okay to just let go and focus on playing with the baby. Just because the house is horrendous doesn't mean I"m failing. Especially if there's a smile on Carter's face. There've been a lot of days when we've rummaged through a pile of clean laundry to get dressed.

I can admit that most of the mess is caused by me. I fix Carter a snack, then rush to give it to him as soon as the peanut butter hits the banana. I leave everything strewn on the counter while I'm on to my next task, persuading him to try it.

I rush to get dressed and leave clothes on the floor, because once it registers with Carter that we're about to leave the house, he brings me my shoes. I have less than a minute until a toddler meltdown if we're not out the door. I know keeping up with it all is probably as easy as slowing down and verbally reminding myself to put things back in their places. (Lesson #167 from Things to learn about Toddlers: Boy, do they rush you.)

I created benefits to putting away toys every night by hiding them around the house in different spots. I toss a giant ball or truck in Carter's favorite kitchen cabinet. I place little animal figurines inside the seat of his fire truck or pots and pans. Small, fun objects in his shoes. Happening upon a toy in an unexpected place makes his day less mundane. I love hearing the little Oh woah! from across the kitchen. It's like practicing for Christmas Eve all year long.

If nothing else, I try to vacuum every night. It doesn't have to be thorough or even make it to the edges of the walls. Fresh vacuum lines in the carpet bring peace and completeness at night as I sit and quietly blog. I like the feeling of waking up in the morning and being able to pull Carter from his crib and present him with a sense of freshness to his new day - whether he really notices the floors or not, I like to think he feels the cleanness.

A few of my cleaning favs.

Lysol Dual Action Complete Clean Wipes (Crisp Linen scent). These are moist and have a rough side and a smooth side. The rough side works better at scrubbing dried gunk on my stovetop than sponges I've used.

Scotch Brite Greener Clean Sponges. Built to be sterilized in the dishwasher and reused!

Febreeze Vacuum Bags. My house fills with a pretty, clean scent every time I vacuum.

Swiffer Wet Jet. This is such a quick, easy way to get the floor clean. And I love the scent.