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Sweeping Me Off My Feet

Even though I work, I still feel the pressure to perform traditional homemaking chores. I feel guilty when Scott cleans the kitchen (which he does every night) or sweeps and mops the floor (which he does every week). Somehow I feel like I am a failure as a wife and mother when I realize I don't remember the last time I dusted the piano or the blinds have penciled art on it and I couldn't tell you if it happened yesterday or last spring. When I mentioned my guilt to my husband, he responded, "I just feel guilty that you have to work."

Ah. That's the funny thing. We don't know that I have to work. We've never tried it. I think we could but then my trips to Costco would be limited. Also, finding an identity outside the home provides me with a respite from my guilty conscience every day. My children are not perfect and my house is not perfectly clean so I am not a perfect mother or homemaker. But I am a competent educator who works hard for those hours I am in my office and I greatly enjoy the accolades, especially at graduation time. 

Bottom  line, if I am neurotic now, imagine me without the hobby of working. *Shudder*

So this year, Scott decided to treat me, a poor, underappreciated and overworked, working mother and wife to a 6 day trip to Maui for our anniversary. Maybe just because he wants to go, maybe to calm his guilty conscience because his wife "has to" work. Either way, I'm not going to tip my hand. I like to work. I like to be home when the kids come home from school. I like that he cleans the kitchen and mops the floors. I like all the nice little things he does for me but I am loving this big thing he's doing for me. 

I'll go ahead and let him sweep me off my feet again. Because I'm nice like that.

Comments

  1. MOM/SUSANFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    Candidate for the best couple photo of the year. Really, it's very cool.Oh, and lucky you about the trip to Maui. That's also very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LucyFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    Great photo and what an exciting trip!!And, another Oh, I think we all struggle with our mothering, and lot in life, you know, "are we doing it 'right?'" The answer lies within your home. Are you all pretty happy and content? Then, it is working!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ToniaFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Awesome pic!! I need an excuse for my messy house. Tornado passed through, you just missed it! Luckily it didn't take off the roof! Only hit our house!
    Yeah, that'll work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Elaine A.February 22, 2012 at 11:16 AM

    You deserve it, both of you! Love that photo!

    ReplyDelete
  5. HeatherFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:59 PM

    Hi i’m Heather! I have a question for you! Please email me :)
    HeatherVonSJ[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. JoanFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    Love the photo. When you get back, tell me all about it because I have never been to Hawaii.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stacy UncorkedFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    Awwww! He's definitely a keeper. And I LOVE that photo!! :)


    Stinky Cats

    ReplyDelete
  8. SupaFlowaPowaFebruary 23, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    You've just resonated all Asian moms I knew growing up... They all work and take care of the house and never stop ... My mom was the same but I don't think she financially had a choice ...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anna Maria JunusFebruary 25, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    We all feel guilty no matter what we're doing.

    ReplyDelete

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