...what life would look like with both a live-in maid & chef. Don't ask me why I have been thinking/dreaming/salivating over these thoughts lately. And yet so much of me is the housework and cooking and cleaning and home managing. Who would I become? Would I be more patient with the kids? Would I go out more, knowing that all is taken care of at home? Would I read to my kids more? I just keep chewing on this idea ... working it around in my head ... envisioning (or trying to) life without household duties. More interesting than my own jumbled thoughts are yours. So, please, do tell -- what would YOUR life look like? Would you enjoy it? Would you still feel like you had purpose?
7 comments:
Would I still have purpose?? Oh yeah!! =) I don't think I would necessarily want someone doing the cooking... because A) I enjoy it and B) I want to know exactly what's in my food. But the cleaning? I have often thought what a luxury it would be to have someone else scrub the shower, the tub and the toilet. Not to mention dishes. I am a happy momma when the kitchen is clean!!! =) What would I do with the extra time?? I'm not sure it would actually free up THAT much time. But, as we are doing those sort of chores this morning, I was thinking how it is good for the kids to be part of helping around the house. Oooh! Maybe if someone did my cleaning, I would COOK more!! =)
I would like to think that I would enjoy not doing all of those things,but then I remember how boring my life was when I didn't have children. In fact, I didn't cook or clean when it was just the two of us and it took having Jorgia to get the cooking and cleaning bug. Funny how that works.
I've never had a house cleaner, and I probably would never hire one. BUT, I LOVE it when my father-in-law cleans the tile floor and steam cleans the carpets in exchange for car repair! And I LOVE it when about twice a year, Eric trades car repair for laundry service at Lori's Fluff-N-Fold. Oh yeah, that is where I'd put my money...laundry service. But in this economy, even if I had the money for that, I wouldn't feel like it was a good way to spend my money...
So, what would I do if I had laundry service. Well, I don't think I would play with the kids more because we alredy play together a lot and we do laundry together so that is spending time with them. I would probably scrapbook more. Yes, I know I get to scrapbook once a month and that is more than a lot of people, but it is not enough for me sometimes because I LOVE scrapbooking. So, if I had more time because of less housework, I'd scrapbook more, while the girls are playing or coloring next to me.
But I really don't think having less laundry or housework to do would give me that much more time. What it would give me is less of a backache at the end of the day. I'd feel less rushed. I'd feel less like a "house-cleaning/diaper-changing/dishwasher/cook/insane mom" and more like a human being.
But we're dreaming, right?
Okay, I'm only writing again so I can click on the "email follow up comments" box to see other people's comments. Why will it not let me click that little box on your blog until I comment a second time? Bizarre. It will let me on other blogs, but not yours and Ryan's until I comment a second time. Weird!
I'm sorry, did you say "chef?" (Long, long sigh.) Yes, that would be lovely. Still a little dazed with those thoughts running around in my head.
I'd like to think that I would be a more "fun" mom if I didn't have all these responsibilities. I would feel able to spend more time with the kids doing fun/relaxing things. Although having all these responsibilities are good lessons for the kids.
Of course, I don't know what I'm really trying to say, my mind is still reeling from the whole chef thing.
Gina-- like you, my head spins with the idea of maybe even just 2 meals being prepared WITHOUT my hands/brains/store run, etc. You truly crack me up.
Christine I loved your observation that no, you wouldn't have more time necessarily, but you would be set free of the headache and stress that often comes with managing the cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, etc.
And yes, it is so important for kids to learn responsibilities. If they don't see us doing these things, then how are they supposed to learn?
And Ninny -- for sure having kids has upped the level and tastiness of my meals. Although I am not convinced that cooking better meals isn't the result of complete and utter dislike for all those repeat meals I used to make ...
In the end I too enjoy cooking. I think if someone else were to do the dishes (like Lisa), I might cook more and cook more extravagantly. I sometimes don't even use the cheese grater because I loathe cleaning that thing. Most of all, I think I would benefit from a laundry service. I am no good at doing the laundry. I get it in the washer and that's about it. And as far as cleaning goes ... I think that even with a maid I would still do a lot of cleaning and organizing -- that is just my nature. And would I be a better mom by being less stressed and overwhelmed? YES!
I kind of need the messes and the meals to draw me out of my introvert cave. Otherwise, I could hide away pretty much all day long and hardly even see the kids. But once I'm out there doing things, one thing leads to another, and inevitably I'll get drawn into what everyone else is doing and start some school or something. My quiet hiding places are way too tempting. Although I would LOVE somebody to take up my floor cleaning. And laundry. That would be loverly. I don't think I'd miss laundry.
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