The Heathen Family is constantly engaged in a game of Housekeeping Chicken. The object of the game is to see who can stand the mess the longest, and who will give in to the pressure of the dust bunnies and get out the vacuum. I lose this game more than I win it, seeing as I am forced to live in the filth 60 hours longer per week than Aaron. Occasionally, Aaron does beat me to the mop and those days are great because once pushed over the edge Aaron is much more likely to clean until the job is finished. My shame can be placated by sweeping the kitchen floor and artfully rearranging the clutter. OCD Man (a.k.a. my husband) is not so easily soothed. Where we struggle as a family is getting the child to understand the housekeeping dynamic here at Chez Heathen. There seems to be no level of organizational chaos that can unhinge the baby. Violet will wade through ankle deep toys and clothes indefinitely.As 2009 dawns, I find myself at a crossroads. Should we get our act together and try to be a good example to our daughter by keeping the house clean? Maybe we can try and explain to her how much dirt is too much? Do I really want to her to understand the concept of Chicken at such a young age?
I'll work on it. I need a good excuse for not folding the towels in the dryer.
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Are you a worse housekeeper than I am? Maybe you just need a little motivation from the Parent Bloggers Network and SC Johnson.
LOL!
ReplyDeleteWe played chicken with the dishes a couple of days ago. Yesterday I had had it and did them, and set out to make dinner. As I took the olives out of the fridge, some of the "juice" spilled out and dropped on the floor. I was going to clean it up as soon as I finished, but Peanut took the cloth and began to wipe the floor! Problem solved ;)
Ah... child labour. It's a beautiful thing...
Ha! We play chicken all the time. But I always lose because I'm a freak and like to have things put away MY way. Throwing all the toys in a pile is NOT picked up. They must go in the appropriate bin. ARGH! Damn Virgo.
ReplyDeleteWe play chicken too. I held out 2 weeks to see if the husband would actually clean the bathroom. I lost.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I play chicken with dinner and snacks. It's rude to make something and not offer it to the other... so we starve it out and wait for the other one to enter the kitchen...
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