The Clean Queens

The girls have been discovering their neater sides at Grammie's house this past week. . . folding and putting away clothes, keeping the play room tidy, making their bed, etc. They are thoroughly enjoying it all.

Any other mother would probably be elated that her children show such a penchant for order and cleanliness. I find it frightening, to be honest.

1. It's intimidating to know that my offspring (at the age of 4) are better at organization than I am.

2. I am crippled with guilt over the fact that I don't provide them with a structured, orderly household to flourish in.

3. I am terrified that they'll realize what a disorganized mother they have, and revolt.

Granted, I am improving, slowly, as I get older. But there is a shrill voice in my head which demands that I transform into the Queen of Clean, NOW. Right this second. Spare them the frustrations of messy play rooms and chaotic bookshelves and lost laundry.

But realistically, that kind of change will take time, time, and more time. Sigh.

So, in the meantime, I'm plotting to reacclimate them slowly to the general upheaval that is the Kerr residence by rearranging the house. When we moved here, I planned to give Anna and Sarah the upstairs. They weren't ready to leave Jonah, however, so the upstairs became a play room.

Now the upstairs will be the domain of civilization, to which the girls can retreat at their leisure (and to which I can send them at my leisure). They can have their own closets, dressers (once I find some), bookshelves, bedding, and they can organize and fold and tidy to their hearts' content.

Hopefully, that will buy me a little more time.