Jeff has always liked to let everything go and then do one big clean, one big shave or one big purge all at once. Now, in all fairness he does the big clean weekly, the big shave daily and the big purge monthly... but my issue is with the in-between times. The big clean is leaving me jammed up. The peaceful bedroom serenity from my life is non-existent and it's only a matter of time before someone needs to seek medical attention due to the health hazard this poses (think sprained ankle, jammed up toes, cracked forhead or lost teeth etc.).
The Issue: The mountain of clothes that accumulates in our bedroom daily which leads to weekly disaster.
The Location: It's on his side of the room, on the floor between the wall and the bed. It's all you see when you peek into my room
The Hazards:
-Kai can't walk through it to get to our bed in the morning
-It's as big as Connor ( see picture)
-Even Jeff gets tripped up trying to wade through it at bedtime
-It's hideous to look at and reminds me of adolescence
-Jeff's nice clothes somehow get worn out sooner, and endure a shorter lifespan due to this type of treatment- poor clothes!
So the reason I post this is because- it's hilarious, especially when Jeff says, "Look at these clothes!", or "Oh my god! These clothes are out of control" or "What happened in here lil Giller?" All are frequently used statements meant to stir a little rise out of me (and it works). I'm all over him in seconds, just losing it about what a disgrace this living situation has become... then I'm out of breath and I have to pause and he deflects again giggling to himself! (Does he know me or what?).
So it's funny, right? I'm sure there are a few of you smirking as you realize that yourself, your partner or someone in your life has something quirky like this going on. Maybe you leave your pants on the floor perfectly positioned from when you last stepped out of them, or lose the bunched up socks under the bed for months/years or are you the one who smells all your items to decide whether they're worthy of a clean this week? whatever the quirk, you have to embrace it or... post about it.
But I can only ignore it for so long though and by ignoring it or pretending it's not happening I feel that I am giving it permission to happen. So my solution has been: I generally pick it all up ( in a few giant handfuls) and throw it into the laundry basket in the closet. Out of sight, out of mind! right? This is all great and dandy until I see the clothes I just laundered and folded right in the mix too! Then I'm at a loss, I refuse to use more resources on these clothes... so it's back to the drawing board... hence this post. In addition, on the nights that Jeff wrangles Kai to bed, there are clothes that don't make it to the laundry basket in Kai's room too. Instead they make it just outside, or remain strewn across the carpet on route to the laundry basket.
I am ready to start a reward chart for all the boys in the house! I'm going to ponder this behaviour modification approach: "first you need to collect 5 star stickers and then you get a reward at the end of the week". I'll be getting very creative for this one.
In taking pictures of this mess, Jeff said, "oh no, you're gonna write about this" and "nothings private anymore". In response I say, "whatever gets you moving" and I think "yes, this is fuel for the blog but again if I don't laugh and share, I might scream and cry".
So enjoy the visions that come to mind as you read this and think of me as I raise 2 boys who have the example of their father to learn from. Helpful suggestions for any and all readers are welcome!!