PBN Blog Blast: It's the Best View in the House, Sort Of

The Parent Bloggers Network has teamed up with the folks over at Windex Outdoor All-in-One to help people (like me) find a quick and easy way to see things a little more, you know, clearly.

[cringe]

Although, at first glance, our house may look very small -- not to mention, in desperate need of a paint job -- and, though they would never admit it (out loud) my kids know our house is bigger than the 5-roomed cape I grew up in; it's got good bones.

Still.

We ARE 6 people, living in a 7 room house and -- though, I'm blessed with many friends (both, online and in real life) who are able to feel themselves right at home, anyway -- I'm having a hard time trying to find a way to 'splain it, to their kids.

Don't get me wrong, I love kids, really.  In fact, I pride myself in being one of those houses where other kids like to hang out, or want to stay over and play.  Sort of like Cheers, really.  I mean, my children attend 4 different schools in the district. So, almost everyone in town knows a Thompson kid.

"Why is your house always so messy?"

Don't worry, I get it.  She's only a child.  Still.  It took me a few seconds to regroup and remind myself that, you know, the little brat...I mean...the girl is but a child and, if you could have looked inside the filing cabinet in my head to see ALL the possible answers, here were my choices:

1. None of your business.
2. Why don't you just shut up?
3. Because, Mrs. Thompson is just tooooo busy trying to save the world.
4. Why do your eyes always look so crossed?
5. I don't know, but don't worry, Mr. Thompson already took away my allowance.
6. You know your mother wants me to keep you here, forever, right?
7. Get out and don't ever come back, you rude, miserable little child.

I know, she's only a child, I get it.  But, this is MY HOUSE and my kids HAVE to, you know, sleep here...so, shut up.

[rubs temples]

"Why is your house so clean?"

I swear, you could almost hear the poor child's mental brakes engage.

"My mommy cleans all the time."

[bites lower lip]

She...is...only...a...child...DAMNIT!

"I hate it."

Okay, at this point, there are NO MORE WORDS.

"She's always telling me not to mess it up."

Oh.

"I like it here at your house, much better!"

Good thing.  You see, I almost swallowed my gum and was so busy trying not to choke to, you know, answer right away.  So, good thing.

"That's good, Sweetie."

It's funny, you know?  How I try SO HARD to be all smart and almost always end up finding inspiration in the smallest of things (miserably rude, as they can be) so, maybe, one day, I'll even stop coveting other people's houses, right?

Riiiiight.

Or, maybe I'll just have to live with the fact that a person can never really judge a home, or a mom, by the house she lives in, or how clean her windows are, or not.

"Want some gum?"

Aaaand, nothing makes a child like you better than bubble gum!

"I'm not allowed to have any bubble gum, either."

[rolls eyes]

"That's okay, just tell Mommy that Mrs. Thompson said it was okay."

What?  This is NOT your child, either.  Besides, it's MY HOUSE and my kids know how to blow a decent-sized bubble, without getting it all over themselves...so, shut up!

IN OTHER NEWS:  I've been crowned a 2009 Glambassador for Glamour Magazine...no, I don't know how that happened, either...oh and SHUTUP!


© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Elisa]

LOL -

So, a messy house makes us better moms, not worse ones? Yay! I knew there was a good side in it :-)

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Elisa: Abso-frickin-lutely! Embrace the mess and forget the rest, that's my motto!

[cartoongoddess]

Cute house! I like your garden. My house is messy too. It's normal. Recently, I've met other moms with normal houses. I feel better now.

[skissman]

Our house is big, but messy. Larger means there's more room for the mess to spread.
I send six (6!) kids to school everyday, and routinely get 7 or 8 home. My house is the place to hang out. I think it's because it's cluttered and I'm not hanging over them fussing about making a mess.
Not that I don't get grouchy some weekends and start yelling about cleaning some of this carp up....

[Stephanie, Mama Dramatist]

Sooo... Your house has that "lived-in" look, eh? Yeah, that's 'cause it's "lived-in" by about a hundred kids, give or take.

And that's WONDERFUL!!

What memories you are making for their kids!

Remember the '80s?

*singing*
Our House,
In the middle of the street,
Our House,
That was where we used to meet...

There was always something happening and it was usually quite loud!!...

Keep it up!

[Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck]

Kids are funny. My daughter's best friend ALWAYS criticizes me on my messy car. One day, I told her unless she planned to clean it, she needed to be quiet.

She hasn't said a word since. :-)

So, does that mean you and my beloved Scribbit are both Glambasadors? THRILLING! I need your help. I was invited to a pool-side fundraiser in a swanky part of town for a clothing launch and said NO WAY. They'd have laughed me out of there in my Target clothes. :-)

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Ah shoot, Amber, you have a terrific style. Besides, you know the old saying, the clothes don't wear the woman, etc... You are gorgeous, awesomely funny and a wonderful person. You could pull off any look, regardless. Next time, go and let the others wonder...wow, look how gorgeous and awesomely funny she is, I wonder we she shops...you dumb bunny!

Hugs,

Me