Missing the Messes

The other day I saw one of those signs on Facebook that urges moms to appreciate the little handprints and messes because someday we'll miss them. I totally get the point of such sentiments, but on their surface they strike me as funny. It made me think of this craft that my oldest brought home from kindergarten, Christmas 2001.


Oh, the mommy guilt that welled up in me when I saw this poem.  Guilt that I didn't appreciate the messes. What was wrong with me??  Since that time I've gotten several more of those art projects with that poem and each time I feel the GUILT.  Why can't I just say, "Kids I don't care about you destroying every little thing you come in contact with because it's the memories, the wonderful memories that matter!"  But I really enjoy some structure, a clean bathroom, a bed that's made, clothing put away in drawers, furniture not covered in food. 

As I looked at that Facebook sign, I remembered this view that I see on an almost daily basis as I walk down my hallway.  Now if this picture doesn't inspire mothers everywhere to stop and appreciate the preciousness of their teenage daughters, I don't know what will...


Yes indeed, every time I pass it, I stop to cherish this mess and the wonderful child who created it.  Not.  It's more like I think, what am I doing wrong that after almost 18 years she still can't make her bed and pick up her clothes?!?  Can we not even reach the point that she could shut a closet door?

Or how about these scenes?  Cherishing the mess is the farthest thing from my mind as I risk a broken leg on the footwear obstacle course exiting the garage.


A surge of love does not spring forth when I turn and see the kitchen after everyone has left for school.


Yes, I'll certainly miss the children that made these messes, but I don't think I'll miss the socks strewn all over the couch, the mountains of paper on the countertops and tables, and the things that shall remain unnamed in the bathroom.  And if I do, I'll just pull out these pictures for a fresh dose of reality!

So come on all of you guilty feeling mothers, what messes are you really not going to miss?


7 comments:

  1. I totally won't miss cleaning up the toys at the end of the day. It's like they multiply, every time I pick one up 10 more appear.
    #tbtlinkup

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  2. I absolutely love this post. My husband just can't understand why our house looks like a bomb went off. I tell him if it is to stay clean, I would literally have to follow the kids around and pick up b/c at this point, they are just messy. As much as I cherish the gobs of artwork the kids bring home, I will not miss trying to secretly throw it away without them knowing. (I do save photos of it with my new keepy app though.) #tbtlinkup

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    1. Thanks Jaimie! I don't save all the artwork either. In fact my kids tease me about it now. I keep a garbage can by the van in the garage and only the most special things make it into the house! :)

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  3. Oh my gosh. That first picture totally looks like my room growing up. I know I'm in for it when my kids get older! Especially my daughter who refuses to throw anything into her very conveniently placed laundry hamper! :)

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    1. Kids have a way of paying us back for all the ways we annoyed our own parents, that's for sure! :)

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  4. I had to laugh because my daughter's room looks way worse than that. I feel your pain. We keep the door closed at all times. It's a hazard in there. I don't know how she finds anything and half my clothes are in there too, unfortunately, because she takes my stuff too. And the kitchen looks like that when they leave in the morning too. Oh the joys of parenting...

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