I have a hard time dealing with the mess that comes with kids. In fact, I think that is the hardest thing about motherhood for me right now. I loathe the clean up that comes with meal time. And saying it out loud makes me feel like a bad mom. I have seen a gazillion moms hand a messy item over to their kids no problem and then clean them up in one quick swipe with a wipe, and somehow their kids are miraculously clean afterwards. I lack that mom gene. I cringe anytime I give my daughter anything messy (which at two is everything). I shudder when food rolls out of my son's mouth and into his neck. Am I the only mom who feels the overwhelming need to hose my kids down outside every time they eat? Layla had mac and cheese for lunch today and it was all over her hands, face, belly, legs...everywhere. Oh, and those moms who can get their kids squeaky clean with one quick wipe? How do they do it? It is a twenty minute ordeal for me! A twenty minute, scrubbing (from me), screaming (from Layla and Cal), patience losing (from all of us) ordeal. The best part? Finding dried nasty food in between their fingers just a few minutes later.
Oh the joys of motherhood. But I love it. I would love it more without the mess, but I do love it. I know all of you do too, that is what makes us want to do more and be more for our kids. I really want to hear from you, hear your thoughts and ideas, so if you are reading please keep commenting! I loved all of last week’s comments. It is comforting to hear that I am not alone in feeling a little behind! What was your week like?
Mine was spent cleaning up messes, food messes, art messes, poop messes (yes, that is plural for poop messes, and don't ask, I shudder even thinking about it). How do you handle all of the mess? What's your Mom secret for cleaning up? I know you all have some good tricks up your sleeve! How do you keep from constantly following along behind your kids wiping their hands off? Let me know, I need some major help in this area!
By the way, because it is just too sweet to pass up, last night a sleepy Layla was snuggled up next to me and just before she drifted off to sleep she looked up at me with her adorable big brown eyes and said, "I love you so much Mom." I live for moments like that. Those moments make everything better, even dried food between the fingers.
Those of you that get notifications of a new post, sorry if this notified you five thousand times! The formatting is really weird for this post, and I couldn't get the spacing between the parargraphs right, so I kept editing it, messing around with it, and reposting it.
ReplyDeleteWhen kids insist on feeding themselves (I hate that stage!) I have learned how to minimize the mess. I only give my child about 1 or 2 bites worth on their plate. If they eat it, I keep refilling it. When I put too much on the plate, suddenly it is something to play with and make a mess with rather than to eat. I just keep refilling the plate until the time comes when things get too messy (like when they start putting it on the floor or in the hair or finger painting with it). Then it is time to put it away and clean up. All I can say about the millions of messes is to clean as you go and try not to save a mess for later. Eventually and I mean many many years later, the kids will follow your lead and clean up their own plate after meals. I also stopped fussing with wash rags or wipes. Instead I pick up my child and hold his/her hands under running water and add soap. The flow of water makes a huge difference in the amount of mess left behind. I even wash their face at the sink -scooping water with my hand and rubbing their face. As for the belly and the limbs, well I would probably just start a bathtime routine after dinner and hope that the mess wasn't that big after lunch so that I only had to bathe the child once a day. If I remember correctly, I think that I was bathing Leah after dinner every night and then putting her right to bed. Thank heavens that these phases pass. Some phases last a long time, but eventually it all passes and you are on to the next frustrating phase.
ReplyDeleteSo funny you wrote about this today! I went to Chevy's for lunch and my youngest wanted the water from my cup put into her bottle. I did that but she wouldn't let me put the nipple back on she started drinking it without the nipple and dumped it on herself and the back of my pants. This happened while I was waiting for them because they wanted me to wait so they could sing to me and give me a free desert and sombrero, when they came out I was already standing up trying to keep my pants from getting more wet and wringing out her wet shirt. They didn't mind and helped and sang to me anyway and quickly brought more napkins. I've freaked out and yelled at my older kids enough about messes that they either panic when one happens or they go and get the paper towels and clean it up themselves. They clear their meal plates and cups when they get drinks now. My youngest now finds it fun to dump her drinks into other things, I just take them away. I like showers with removable showerheads since thy make it easy to spray the kids off.
ReplyDeleteMy sister introduced me to these bibs that are almost full body covers! They are from Ikea. They cover their the front of them, and their whole arm. I think it is a great idea since no matter what bib I put on Cache, he still gets food on his clothes. Sometimes I take off his shirt to eat, especially if it is spaghetti or something! I also like to take Cache to the sink and wash him off after a meal, although he usually fights me:( Messes aren't the greatest part or being a mom, but your last little paragraph makes it worth it!
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