Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Daddy Clean

If I have mentioned this before, please forgive me... I can't remember a thing! Growing up there were two kinds of clean in our house: 'Mommy Clean' and 'Daddy Clean'. "Mommy Clean' was the preferred request, as it entailed simply putting things away, perhaps only out of sight. Under the bed and in the closet were the stash spots for 'Mommy Clean', and you did not go into these places unless you had a death wish.
'Daddy Clean' was the tougher job. My father required a more thorough cleaning, and one might say that this method was a bit more like a white glove inspection or something. If 'Daddy Clean' was expected, one could expect to spend a considerable amount of time cleaning... under the beds, closets, and hidden areas were not off limits. This was not our favorite.

Well, now that I have my own home, I live in a state somewhere between Mommy and Daddy Clean. There are definitely days that I just sweep a certain amount of mess under the rug, but for the most part I like a good therapeutic scrub down. (Yes, for me scrubbing is good therapy at times, though this would lead my husband to question my sanity...) The reason this all comes up is that my dad is coming to visit, and though it's been a while since we've been under the same roof, I feel a certain amount of pressure for our house to be 'Daddy Clean'.  So I've been scrubbing and laundering everything, and frankly, I'm exhausted! But the house feels so nice, and I wonder why I don't clean like this every day.

So here's the question: Do you clean like crazy when people come over? Do you show off the 'fake house', or do you let it all hang out?

11 comments:

  1. The best cleaning always happens around here when company is expected. That's probably not the best way to do it, but that's what it is.

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  2. Our house has mommy clean and daddy clean but the roles are reversed. I am the anal one who cleans so there is nothing out and no speck or dirt left!
    We just sold our house and one realtor said my house was immaculate, one of the cleanest he had ever seen. And that my husband must be a happy man. I laughed and said yeah, he has nothing to do with cleaning it. Now my house is NOT this clean everyday and all day. 10 minutes after those people left from my house it was a mess again! But as my friends and I say I am not the one who makes the mess. Hubby and the children make the mess! Feels like I have 3 children since I have to clean up after my husband! My husband says he won't bother cleaning anything because it won't be up to mommy standards and I will just do it again to get it the way I want it! My husband could care less if there was a mess he would walk right by it and not even notice it was there!
    I do clean up before people come over. But it depends on who it is as to how clean the house gets. If it is someone new or a party or my grandmother. The house will be spotless. But if it is a close friend they can come in and the house be messy.
    Have a fun time with your dad! Myabe he has changed over the years and won't as tidy since you have children now!
    Amber

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  3. Yeah, the roles are definitely reversed in our house as well~ my husband couldn't care less about what things look like!

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  4. I like my house to be clean enough not to be offensive to guests, but messy enough that they can feel relaxed. Frequent visitors are expected to be forgiving, and I extend the same courtesy:-). Glad to hear grandpa is taking the opportunity to experience the littles; I'm sure the state of the house is not what he'll be coming to see. He has every reason to be nothing but proud of his youngest. K.

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  5. Thanks, Karen! And as a semi-frequent visitor in your house, I can attest that it is always pretty Daddy Clean! =) 'Karen Clean', in your case, is a pretty high standard, I think!

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  6. Funny thing is, my husband cleans better than me, but just not as often. I am a surface cleaner. If you open the drawers its a mess! I hope this does not parallel with my spiritual life...oh dear. ha ha!

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  7. OH, I am a total fake. I go nuts cleaning the minute I know someone is coming - no matter who it is. I can't stand the thought of someone thinking I am a terrible housekeeper! But like you, I love the way it feels once the craziness is over. The house feels so great and I wonder why I don't make an effort to do more scrub downs more often so it's not such an ordeal when people come. But I just never do it.

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  8. Hey girl, I didn't know how else to get you...will you e-mail me so I can respond to your comments. I feel like I need to sometimes and I can't...unless you are subscribing to the comments. Thanks dear!

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  9. PS...I did a blog series about Eliminating the CHAOS...CHAOS meaning Can't have anyone over syndrome. :) Just so I would learn to keep a clean or cleaner house just in case someone stopped by.

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  10. As the Mom - in Mommy vs. Daddy clean - I probably should be offended, but actually am just the opposite. While my house could always be cleaner, it's mostly clutter & I have come to terms with that state. And the people in my life are always more important than the current state of my house. I sometimes warn my friends to wear hip-boots to step over whatever project is going on at the time - but I hope they always know they are welcome & loved in my little space. I did wonder if you clean more for your Dad's visit than mine - but then I just decided that I love being with you & Trace & those sweet grandbabies & I'm sure I create a mess or 3 while I'm there - so never mind!

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  11. Mommy vs. Daddy Clean...that is TOO funny! My parents are the opposite--however, my Dad does require it to be pretty clean. And my mom needs to have it clean when we have people over. But I have six younger siblings, so it gets pretty crazy.

    Have a nice day!
    --Hannah @ Aspire

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