The Familyman
Organization … man, I love it. Well, not really, but I love having a wife who is organized. She is in her element when she’s toe to toe with a pile of … of … whatever.
Just yesterday, we helped move a family that we knew very little about, except that their house was condemned, they were cold, and they had found a new place. My wife offered our services and when we showed up, the stench, the trash, and the volume were overwhelming.
My kids were troopers, and we hauled bags of filthy laundry, mixed with open boxes of food, books, and toys into our trailer and then over to the “new house” that was almost as bad as the old one.
Now, I’m not saying that everyone has to live in a spotless, beautifully decorated, designer home, but I will say that part of training your children and loving your family is by providing a home that is “safe, comfortable, and clean.”
The house we were in was none of those. As we drove home in stunned silence, we asked the question, “How does it get like that?” And although there might be a lot of different reasons … there are no excuses.
I know the family we helped is not abnormal. In fact, your house might be like theirs. Would you allow me to shake you by the shoulders and say, “It’s time to clean up.”
Here’s what we discussed could be a plan of attack:
- Start small. Pick one area … like the kitchen sink and do all the dishes. Then clean off the counter, put away all the food items (throwing the ones away that don’t look so good or have been sitting out for months) and wipe off the counter and table.
- Gather all the laundry off the floor, under the beds, and anywhere else and wash and fold it. Don’t stop until you’re done, and it’s all put away. If you have more clothes than space then take everything that doesn’t fit or isn’t used to Goodwill or throw it away (you might be tempted to try to re-sell it … but save yourself time by donating it).
- Make your bed.
- Clean one entire room. Put things away or throw them out. Vacuum the floor.
Dad, here’s your part: If there is something that is broken, fix it. Fix the cabinet door that is hanging by a thread, fix the rotting floor by the toilet, and get the knobs working on the sink. If you can’t fix things, then swallow your pride and ask someone to help you.
I don’t mean to be harsh, but there is no excuse for allowing your family to live in heaps, filth, and trash.
Just being real.
I’ve got to go clean my office … it’s bad.
Todd
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