.
The three of us made a pact. A triple L pact. Lisa, Laura, and I (Lori) agreed not worry about a neat or even clean house before a visit. (ohhhhh!)We all had preschoolers, toddlers, and babies. We decided life was busy and …well stressful enough. Why toss housekeeping into the mix?
We were free!
Because there were no expectations, we got together regularly. Kids played, moms visited. We reenacted The Shamu Show in the backyard. The preschoolers and toddlers became Killer Whale trainers and the three moms, announcers. (FYI…We lived in San Diego the home of Sea World. Side note: my kids could name sea creatures way before farm animals.)
It was A-OKAY if the other families entered a home that looked like a California earthquake had just rocked the world. We all understood. Our conversations were never finished because sentences were rarely completed (If you have little ones, you know what I mean). But the sense of camaraderie was worth every interruption.
How often do we put off getting together with friends because our home isn’t perfectly cleaned, organized, stocked, or decorated?
Be free. Let it go. Make your own triple L pact with a couple neighbors. Live, laugh, and love whether or not your home is in tip-top shape. (The kids will just mess it up anyway!)
Created by Melanie
© LoriWildenberg. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Lori Wildenberg is a licensed parent and family educator, parent coach, and co-founder of 1Corinthians13 Parenting.com. She has written 6 books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home; The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections; and her most recent book, Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation. Contact Lori for your next event or for parent consulting or parent training courses. Lori can also be found mentoring over at the MOMS Together Group on Facebook.
