Embrace the Mess

Several weeks ago, I posted a very long status that I am going to repost as a blog. Facebook has a way of swallowing up posts, never to be heard from again. I actually hate that. At one time, you could go all the way through your Facebook timeline and see everything you had every posted, to the very first post and all that's between. I don't like that you can no longer do that. It makes me sad. But I'm getting off point here.

If you are a Facebook friend of mine, you've already read this. So feel free to skip along, but for others, read this and try to take it to heart!

"One of the saddest things to hear a parent say is "NO! Don't do that, it's just so messy!" So here is my public service announcement: Moms, dads, BE MESSY! PLAY with your kids! Make memories! LEARN TO LET GO. 

What do you think they will remember and cherish most??? "Oh we always had such a clean house growing up..." OR "We had a lot of fun growing up, I will never forget the fun memories my mother made with us!" Messes can be cleaned. One day you won't have a little one to get messy with and clean up after. Every day that passes is another day you're losing. 

So paint, throw mud, build forts, tear them down and build them again, make FOOD together and actually LET THEM help! Let them make mistakes, and be there to help them learn from them. Play hard, play HARDER. Let them use the toy with a million pieces, give them clothes they can stain, have a food fight, spray them with the hose from the sink. Then laugh and clean it up TOGETHER. Say "yes" more and "no" less. 

So much stress is on parents because they've put it there themselves. Let it go. Don't be a grumpy maid, who says no to fun because YOU'RE the one who has to clean up afterwards. Be the parent who has FUN and then teach responsibility by having them help clean the mess they helped create.

What are you afraid of? The only thing you've got to lose is the stress of trying to keep it all perfect. And if you ask me, that's something everyone can do without."