Comments on: Why I Let My Kids Make Big Giant Messes

By: Erin

Erin — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 17:14:42 +0000

To be honest, though, it’s not just a trip around the room with a vacuum. It’s cleaning up the items involved in the activity, washing the
Out, putting everything away, removing soiled clothes, likely a bath (or at least a good wipe down), clean clothes, and THEN vacuuming and mopping.

Just from another mom’s perspective, nope. An hour+ of cleaning is not worth 20 minutes of distraction

By: Erica MomandKiddo

Erica MomandKiddo — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:18:50 +0000

In reply to nicole. Yes, there is always time to clean.... later!

By: nicole

nicole — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 19:10:38 +0000

I totally understand that. My mom was the same way, our house was always tidy and ready for company, but we never got company. I don't really understand the point. I have a hard time with the mess also, but I have worked on it over the years of raising 4 kids and a house full of animals. When it comes down to it, having a happy, creative, messy home is much better than having a spotless home with stressed out occupants. Every time I start to feel myself getting cranky over the mess, I stop and take a deep breath and remind myself that it will all get taken care of in time.

By: tuxgirl

tuxgirl — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 21:03:48 +0000

I'm trying to be better about this. I grew up in a house where my mom felt that it needed to be ready for company at the drop of a hat. Somehow that resulted in me, I'm a horrid homemaker (struggle to get basic cleaning done regularly), but I'm afraid of an thing that will cause extra mess. And I was an only child, but now I have two little ones that I'm trying to keep track of. So much of my mommy training from my mom was about avoiding and preventing messes that I'm afraid to let the kids make a mess. And when I'm already horridly behind on housework, I don't know what to do with it.

By: Erica MomandKiddo

Erica MomandKiddo — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:10:41 +0000

In reply to Toni Thorn. Once you see how engaged your kids are and how long they play by themselves, you will be totally hooked on letting them make a big mess! Good luck!

By: Toni Thorn

Toni Thorn — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 17:12:40 +0000

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! From me and both my kids, 2 & 4. I have a huge piece of lino I've used in the past for free body painting (one looked like a pink surf and the other like a greeny blue one!) but I never thought of using the kitchen! We had an old jar of dry polenta (grits?) that had been forgotten and now was stale but was like sand and perfect for our first free for all! The one who needs most practice is me, I bit my tongue a few times but was too often critical of the mess. I will be better next time and with practical can improve. I want to try again next week with water! Wish me luck!

By: Bona Fide Mama

Bona Fide Mama — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:26:52 +0000

Yes, it is worth it! I just cannot seem to muster up the creativity for anything messy these days!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 04 May 2011 05:17:40 +0000

You crack me up. :)

Come on...tell us about putting down a towel to keep the area tidy.

By: Kate @ An Amazing Child

Kate @ An Amazing Child — Sun, 01 May 2011 15:09:15 +0000

A huge YES! and how boring would our days be without the mess. Besides, how hard is it to stick your little one under a hose or pull out the broom.

The best parts of our day is when little man gets messy.

By: The Activity Mom

The Activity Mom — Sun, 01 May 2011 13:39:20 +0000

sure is! Even better when they take a turn with the vacuum. =)