I worry too much about making messes. Ask my scrub techs in the OR, and they will tell you that I am constantly cleaning while operating. Folding lap sponges and suctioning everything, making sure my field is spotless. In surgery, this may be a great policy, but it adds a challenging element to raising an almost toddler. She is at this wonderful exploratory stage. Texture is a new discovery for her and she delights in squishing things between her fingers. Avocados, honeydew, bananas are all crushed in her path! Like a mini-godzilla, blueberries pop in her fists and she displays her mighty grip at every opportunity.
I am a woman who likes to be in control. I like a clean floor, a snot-free nose, impeccable baby clothes. I became obsessed with Babyganics stain remover when a friend introduced me to it. I could spray away anything! I have tried to feed my daughter foods that leave little trace of their existence and meticulously contain the ever multiplying puddle of crumbs encircling her high chair.
I don't think I realized how anal I was being until I noticed Maika with one of her baby wipes aggressively cleaning the bamboo floor. She then moved on to wiping the legs of a nearby stool, industriously scrubbing away.
Is this the legacy I want to leave behind? An anxious mommy who is always cleaning and worried about being messy? No, no, that isn't right I say in the glorious words of moo, baa, la la la. I want to be fun. I am fun!
Being a parent means letting go. Relinquishing control. Living in this moment now. All I have is today. As I write this on vacation in San Francisco, refreshed from a run on the pier, a belly full of great coffee, freshly baked croissants (yes plural!) and a sleeping baby next to me, I recognize how good this life is. I would be so foolish to squander it worried about messes, good preschools or stained onesies.
Give in to the madness! Enjoy this moment.
Make a big mess and laugh really hard. It's okay. You can clean up later.
Xo,
M
Lol...my sister and brother in law are also the same way. It was to the point where he didnt like playing in snow because it was "messy" sticking to his gloves, and I think he still doesn't like walking on sand for the same reason! So, I totally agree with you that you should "make a big mess" and enjoy yourself and raise Maika to do so as well. Nonetheless, Im not going to lie passing on the habit of cleaning up after yourself is nice. Saturday night, Max and I were drawing and his pencil sharpener kept on popping open so all the shavings would fall everywhere. He immediately picked up all the shavings before proceeding...everytime it happened. And when the sharpie we also used bled thru the paper, threatening to mark up the table...he was careful to put something underneath our paper.
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