Clean, messy and in between: Good Chicago moms come in all forms

I have seen this quote all over the Internet for the past year:

Good moms have sticky floors, messy kitchens, laundry piles, dirty ovens and happy kids.

I hate this quote.

I have hated it since I first saw it.

Why?

Because it implies that if a mom has shiny floors, neat kitchens, no laundry piles, clean ovens that:

a) You aren’t a good mom

and

2) Your kids aren’t happy.

Oh, I understand what the person who came up with this was intending to convey: if your house isn’t perfect, its OK. Your kids are OK. You are OK.

It’s a proverbial pat on the back.

An imaginary fist bump.

But it also implies that if you are cleaning your home or making it look nice, that your kids are ignored.

And that is what I am going to take issue with.

Because I am a neat freak.

FRIGGIN’ PROUD OF IT.

Are my floors sticky?

Rarely.

Are my kitchen counters clear of debris?

Most likely.

Is my laundry done on a regular basis?

Yep.

Is my oven clean?

HOLY CRAP I AM NOT A ROBOT.

Are my kids happy?

I don’t know, you would have to ask them.

I think I know the answer.

And it rhymes with less.

Why is it OK to bash moms who like to have a clean home?

I see it everywhere. Online, in magazines and on signs at Cracker Barrel for $9.99.

It’s this whole movement to make moms who don’t clean their homes feel better about themselves and moms who do clean feel like crap.

Did a person with a sponge hurt you??

Do you have bad memories associated with the smell of ammonia??

WHY MUST YOU MAKE NEAT FREAKS FEEL LIKE, well, FREAKS?!?!?!

Am I overwhelmed?

A lot.

Do I have bad days?

Yes.

Is being a mom hard at times?

HOLY SWEET TARTS YES.

But just because I schedule my day in a way that gives me peace by having a clean home doesn’t give you a right to judge me for it.

As I don’t judge you for having sticky floors, laundry piles or dirty ovens.

I play with my kids, take them to the park, sit on the floor with my six-year-old and draw pictures of a dream house and pink clouds.

I am also able to sit on the couch at the end of a long day with my teenage daughter and do her hair, paint each others nails, talk about crushes and eat mass amounts of hot Cheetos while watching movies.

I am a damn good mom.

My kids are happy and loving.

And my house is clean.

Just don’t look in my oven.

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