As a family, we all take care of the house together. At least, that’s the theory.

Do you know what that means? When someone else doesn’t get to their job, it doesn’t mean I, as the mom, have to scramble to do their job for them before someone comes to the house so we can be ‘presentable’.

If our house was a museum, or a show home, it would be necessary to keep it all up at once, but it’s not. Projects happen, and can’t be put away in the middle of them. People forget to do things, or CHOOSE not to do things. It happens!

Our home is a training ground for life – and sometimes life doesn’t just pick up your messes when you forget them. And let’s face it, Mom doesn’t always have to rush in to ‘fix’ everything. Honestly, there isn’t time to do what Mom needs to do AND do everybody else’s jobs, too. There just isn’t! Not for this Mom anyway…

Natural consequences are a part of life – even if that means a messy sink full of dishes when a guest arrives, right?

Now, if you come to my house, and things aren’t ‘so-so’, you’ll know why. We’re trying to raise responsible adults, and we, as adults ourselves, aren’t always the most responsible. We are PEOPLE, we are a FAMILY, and we make mistakes while trying to work together. We aren’t always all on the same page at the same time, we aren’t always put together at the same time, and our house isn’t going to be, either.

Next time you walk into another family’s home, and things aren’t picture perfect, do me a favor – Don’t automatically assume it’s because the wife/mom can’t keep up with everything and run an orderly household. She’s not the only one who lives there, and she may be in the middle of teaching important life lessons to her kiddos. It’s OK to say nothing at all, forget about the state of “things” around you, and focus on your friend.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you’re coming to see my house, make an appointment. If you’re coming to see me, drop by anytime – just don’t judge me for where my life with my family happens to be at that moment. 🙂

No, I don’t live in a show home or a museum. I live in the rough and tumble trenches of life . I do my best to provide a home that is a haven from a big ugly world outside, but sometimes life and its lessons are messy. The training ground that is our home usually reflects the lessons we’re learning – you’ll have to adjust with us accordingly!