Talk About Trashed!

This morning, I woke up to a mess. It had been happening slowly over a number of days. Todd has been working lots of overtime. I haven’t been getting a break. Which leaves me energy depleted. Which is why I haven't been keeping after the kids to clean up each little mess they make. Toys were all over the place. The counter in the bathroom was cluttered with stuff. I won’t even get into the state of our toilets. Piles of laundry were on the floor and in the baskets. Looking around at it all, I felt as if I were slogging slowly underwater, unable to begin.

Mid morning, I hadn’t gotten very far when Todd called from work.

“This house is trashed.” I said.

Neither of us are neat freaks, but Todd’s tolerance level is about two days behind mine. At this point he had barely noticed the state of our home.

“Don’t worry about it Sweetie. The kids alone are enough work.” he said all chipper. “ I’ll help you tonight. We’ll get it straightened up.”

This two second conversation turned my day around.

He didn’t care if the house was a mess. He wasn’t judging me. He knew I hadn’t had a break. He also didn’t think it was my responsibility alone to keep the place tidy.

I hung up the phone and started with the living room. Strange? My energy lifted. Two minutes was all it took to pick up the toys. Next, I changed the kids sheets, and the kitten’s litter box, and threw in a load of laundry.

After that, I tackled the toilets.

Finally, I unburied the kitchen.

My house still wouldn’t pass any white glove test, but I also wouldn’t be mortified if a neighbor dropped in.

Todd won’t have anything left that has to be done when he gets home, which is good because I can think of a better way to spend our time tonight after the kids go to bed.

An offer to help and a few words of appreciation go a long way. It’s a shame more men don’t pick up on this and realize the benefits of a having a truly grateful wife.