Tuesday, April 7

Dirty Laundry

Did you watch Oprah yesterday? It was awesome. A room full of moms airing all of their dirty laundry in an effort to help other moms understand that we are all going through the same things. This morning I thought I'd join in, so here it goes:

  • I HATE doing the laundry. My hamper is overflowing now, and will probably be that way for a couple more days - meaning that dirty clothes will be all over our bathroom floor.
  • I HATE ironing more than I hate doing laundry. And this isn't good because I usually let the dry clothes sit in the laundry basket for a couple of days before I put them away - meaning they are very wrinkly. So, I usually only wear my dry clean only pants to work because they have been dry cleaned and are the only pants I own without wrinkles.
  • When I was breastfeeding Charlotte, I only rinsed out my pump parts after pumping - rarely did I fill up a sink with soapy water and wash the parts properly.
  • Our bed only gets clean sheets every 2 weeks - and that's because my cleaning lady does it.
  • It is my job to pay the bills, and I am terrible at it. We've received many a cut off notice over the years. (nothing has ever actually been cut off, though, whew)
  • I secretly loathe really skinny moms. I know that they are the perfect wife, perfect employee, cook healthy dinners for their family each night, do perfect laundry, make art projects with their kids, and exercise every day - because if you are skinny you are perfect at everything, right?
  • Charlotte's bath toys just sit at the bottom of the tub each night after her bath probably collecting all sorts of bath grime. I know I should rinse them off and let them dry, but I don't.
  • I give in to Charlotte a lot more than I thought I would. Most of the time if she cries, she gets what she wants. I'm slowly creating a monster.
  • I'm terrible at remembering dates. For Christmas, my mom gave me a calendar with birthdays & anniversaries already filled out - at the beginning of March I missed calling my sister on her anniversary. Each year I say I'm going to be better - and I never am.
  • I am wracked with guilt every day because I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing by continuing to work. I justify it well, but still feel very guilty that someone else is raising my child 5 days/week (now 4 days/week)
  • I buy organic food for Charlotte - I know it is probably better, but I do it mostly because I feel pressure from society.
  • I take out my frustrations on my dog. I never hit her, but I yell sometimes. I feel awful afterwards every time.
  • I only spend 3 hours with Charlotte in the evenings - but I am exhausted when she goes to bed. Almost every afternoon we go for a walk just because it is a break for me. Why do I need a break when I'm only with her for 3 hours?
  • I let Charlotte rip everything out of our bathroom cabinets to keep her busy while I need to get ready - this means she is usually walking around shaking a bottle of prenatal vitamins - the poster child for Poison Control - or running around with feminie supplies in her hands.
So there you go. I'm sure this isn't it, but maybe it will help an overwhelmed mom out there feel a little better about herself. You got any dirty laundry?

8 comments:

Rachel said...

I think you're doing an awesome job raising my niece even if you do have some dirty laundry.

Please take a picture next time she is running around with femnine supplies!

JENNIFER MOORE said...

I have learned one thing from this latest blog.

YOU ARE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF!!!

I've seen you in action, and you are doing everything (that matters) exactly right. Charlotte knows that you love her unconditionally and her face lights up like a Christmas tree when you walk into the room.

So......relax! You're doing a great job!

Love ya,
Jennifer

Drena said...

I saw this episode too and planned to post about it, but haven't had a chance to yet.

A few things I have done:
1- pretend to be asleep when the baby wakes up so that way Adam will go get him if I'm trying to nap

2- not bathe ever day (common from yesterday's show)

3- I too hardly ever clean the pump like it says

4- sometimes Oliver takes a bath for over an hour b/c it makes him happy and I never take him out until he starts crying

5-i never change his diaper in the night even though I know it is probably wet

6- if we are out and he has already had all that was in the bottle, I take the nipple off and let him suck it and he thinks he can get more milk.

7- I have crouched over the car seat going down the road two times so he could nurse and we didn't have to stop.

That's about it...but he isn't even 4 months old so I'm sure there will be more to come!

Rebecca said...

Thanks for sharing! I think everyone has dirty laundry - even those perfect skinny moms! I actually don't mind DOING the laundry, but I HATE putting it away. I also hate doing anything related to washing or putting away dishes. Our sheets aren't changed as often as they should be either. We sometimes do rock paper scissors to see who "gets" to change Liam's poopy diaper. There's plenty more...I could go on & on...

Natalie at Our Old Southern House said...

oh girl, i totally feel you!! i have so so so many that i can't even name them all.
recently it's been that i get annoyed/mad/jealous that cooper never puts mm to bed or wakes up w/her. it's always me. when she starts crying in the mornings (especially saturdays) i play asleep. when he doesn't get up i want to reach over and slap him!

Naomi said...

Haha, I watched Oprah on Monday. I'm obviously not a mother, but that show was both terrifying and encouraging. Terrifying because becoming a parent really does change your whole life and it's not always wonderful. Encouraging, though, because clearly you don't have to be perfect to be a great parent. And no one ever said it wasn't worth it.

I really admire mothers-- at it sounds like you are doing a great (and normal!) job!

Wells Family said...

We are SO much alike, I cannot believe it! Almost every bullet I said to myself, "me too!". Even with all of our 'dirty laundry' I think we are still stellar mommies!! Charlotte is a lucky little girl!

Suzie and Gang said...

I did not see Oprah, but I can tell you - you are doing great. Even when they are 10, 13, 15 and 18 you still feel guilty sometimes by going to work. I have been fortunate to be home the last 6 months and love it. We do not have the 'extras' that we had, but we are getting by. You will not do everything right but you will do everything. You had a wonderful example growing up and you will be fine. Lots of love and have a Hoppy Easter. Suzie and the Gang on the Farm