Like sleep, a clean house is something you'll probably not get for a looong time once you have kids. It's funny how our definition of what a clean house is depends on who we are and what stage of life we're in. For teenagers, it's not even a concern. For singles, it's not really that important to have a clean house as it is to have fun. Married couples without kids are the ones who come closest to having that fancy house you see in the home interiors catalogue. But when you're a parent, out goes that catalogue. Everything becomes about being practical and safe. It doesn't matter if your child's art project clashes with the wall colour, it has to be the centerpiece of the dining table. And so what if your bookshelf is full of Lego toys and Barbies? To those who 'tsk, tsk!' at seeing a messy house like this (usually from another demographic), I feel like retorting, "It's a house, not a hotel!"

I've always felt that a house should look 'lived in'. Okay, I'll confess: I only feel this way because I have a toddler at home. But I do like seeing those toys strewn around the house. When Little Dude is asleep, it reminds me of what he was doing during the day and it makes me smile. How he hid his ball behind the sofa. How he put his socks in a plastic container. How he hid my lip balm in the... (I still don't know where it is!).

If I was always preoccupied with neatness, I would be missing out on a lot of time I spend with my kid. I would be too busy cleaning up after him to appreciate his creativity or play with him. So, I think you can only have one: great memories or a clean house. Of course, your house should be neat and tidy but it doesn't have to be spic and span, does it? I love this poem that sums up my thoughts: