The Things We Pass On To Our Kids #1

Why does it always seem that we are passing our less than flattering traits to our kids?  

At least that's the way it works at our house. 

DISORGANIZATION

Okay, I'm organizationally challenged.  

Well, not exactly.  

I really do know where most everything I own is-- 

(except for my car keys which are missing 90% of the time).

But, I don't enjoy organizing, de-cluttering, etc.  

Now, don't get me wrong.  

I love having spaces where there is a place for everything and everything is in its place--

that just doesn't usually happen in my home.  

I have had brilliant moments in my life where... 

my office is in tip top shape--the desk cleared off, book shelves in perfect order,

drawers neat and tidy.  

the closets at home are perfectly orderly (okay, so it was the day after we moved in).

the kitchen cupboards look as though we have just taken inventory...

But, I must admit that those times are few and far between.  Most often, closets and drawers are crammed full, and piles of clutter can be found in every room.  

I've noticed that my girls have this same dreaded gene.  

(I won't show pictures of their rooms because they would be humiliated and you would lose respect for them.) 

I wish that I had not passed this on to them.  

I wish that as young girls I had insisted that their rooms remain spotless and that everything was put away immediately after use.  

I really do.  I think it would have helped them in the long run.  

But, I didn't.

I'm still learning.  Hopefully, they will learn from my mistakes.

Thankfully, I do have friends that love organization and they are teaching me.  

I called one of them recently to ask her to come over and help me organize my new walk-in pantry (which is fabulous by the way). 

She was estatic!!!! I'm not kidding.  She couldn't wait!  In fact, she carved out time on Saturday to come over and go at it.  Now, this friend happens to be addicted to all things Tupperware.  She is the original Tupperware queen. She brought loads of Tupperware with her and educated me on how to make your pantry easily accessible and beautiful.  

She was right... Sigh...I love it.  

Now everything has a place.  

Here's the proof.  It's never too late to learn.  (Are you listening girls?)

Comments

[Kathleen]

OHHHHHHH! So nice to hear your voice again! Two things from my VAST years of child rearing----
1. I too am disorganized and so were my girls, BUT, the good news is this: Caitlin is in a condo now and SHE'S the one always cleaning the kitchen and her room is spotless---bed made, etc. WHO KNEW?
2. Bonnie is a crazy woman---I could never have that much tupperware---;}

[Betty]

Thank you for not mentioning where you got the disorganization gene.
Love you, Mom