Messy mum

It’s a messy house we now live in
I can hardly see the floor⠀
Between unfolded clothes and toys⠀
She’s a clean freak’s nightmare, that’s for sure. ⠀ ⠀

It is not always like this though⠀
Of course there are times when I clean⠀ Normally when my child is sleeping⠀
And I am overly keen.⠀ ⠀

Most of the time it’s pointless ⠀
A domestic never ending battle⠀
With every piece I put away⠀
Before long there’s twice the hassle. ⠀ ⠀

Toilet rolls down the toilet⠀
Dirt piles on the floor⠀
Cat food sprawled everywhere ⠀
Broken toys and more. ⠀ ⠀

Visitors used to be greeted with an apology,⠀ “Sorry my house is a tip” ⠀
Like it was something to be ashamed of⠀
All these standards that I had let slip. ⠀ ⠀

From beneath my heavy eyelids⠀
I would religiously try to explain⠀
“Sorry we’ve had a bad night”⠀
But really there should be no blame.⠀ ⠀

I would try and justify the chaos⠀
Pretend it was unavoidable mess⠀
I didn’t want them to think I was lazy⠀
Or consider me any less.⠀ ⠀

I have now come to realise⠀
No justification is required⠀
Most understand, they’ve been there⠀
They have simply just retired.⠀ ⠀

Your visitors want to spend time with you⠀
To be part of your life ⠀
They don’t care for the state of your house⠀ That’s just unnecessary strife.⠀ ⠀

A visitor once told me⠀
“Emma stop worrying about the mess”⠀
She said it’s something to be proud of⠀
That she really couldn’t care less.⠀ ⠀

The conversation went no further ⠀
But it got me thinking alright⠀
I needed to change my mindset⠀
To surrender to the endless fight.⠀ ⠀

My view is much different now⠀
I’m proud of that, I am⠀
Perfectionism is hard to beat⠀
But I have proved that it’s possible, I can.⠀

Mess is to be celebrated⠀
It is mandatory if you’re parenting right⠀ Your children need you present ⠀
Not constantly cleaning the bomb site.⠀

When you enter a mother’s home
When you see the endless mess⠀
Know she is prioritising her children⠀
She is absolutely doing what’s best.⠀ ⠀

I think us mothers should remember this⠀
It’s an important message to share⠀
Messy mums are present mums⠀
All it means is that we care.