If you are anything like me, you cringe at the sight of a mess.
Nothing sends me into a quicker emotional frenzy than seeing a playroom upside down, dirty dishes in the sink, or clothes and books that were strewn about.
I thrive on order and organization. I love clean and empty spaces. It’s just who I am.
But clean and kids don’t necessarily go hand in hand, do they?
Neither does clean and creativity.
Kids NEED to make messes. Because that is how they thrive, it’s how their brains grow. That is how they play. I’ve realized over the years that my definition of a mess, is their definition of a fun childhood.
They need to feel paint in between their fingertips. They need to dump the entire basket of toys out to make a pretend restaurant. They need to pull every book off the shelf to look at every single page and get lost in a make-believe land. Sheets need to be turned into forts, and pillows turned into mini islands. Mama’s dresses become princess gowns, and Daddy’s suits are what kings wear.
So what does an overly uptight -clean freak-mama to do?
She breathes in and out.
She finds peace in the chaos.
She learns to be thankful for the mess.
And she begins to embrace the joy that these tiny messy little humans bring.
