Photos of Messy Houses With Kids
8 Photos That Show the Real State of Any Mom's House With Kids (Hint: Real F*cking Messy)
I've been doing this whole mom thing for 11 years now. When I think back to those first baby play dates, I actually laugh at how baby-proofed, dusted, vacuumed, and magazine-ready my house looked. I wanted to impress my mom friends with the facade that I actually kept my house clean on a daily basis. But over the years, I've dropped the act. If you come to my house now, there'll be plenty of signs that we actually live here. And you know what? I'm OK with that. I no longer feel the need to keep my house in perfect condition in case company comes by. I don't stress over my friends seeing my laundry piled up on the couch (I'll fold it . . . eventually).
I truly love it when I visit a friend and can tell she didn't stress-clean before I arrived. The toys on the floor tell me they've been playing with their kids. The crumbs on the table show me they enjoyed a meal with them. And the stack of clutter on the counter tells me they chose to live in the moment, rather than rush to pack things away. We put so much pressure on ourselves to impress others, but why? If your friend is going to judge you for having some clutter on your counters, then she's not a friend you need.
I asked some of my wonderful friends if I could photograph them in the messiest area of their home without them cleaning up first. The results are real, honest, hilarious, heartwarming, and just plain relatable. And since they were kind enough to let me into their homes, I kept their privacy intact by keeping them all anonymous. So, mama, know that you're not alone. Let your friends see the real you — clutter and all.
1 Don't Step on the Legos
2 Can You See Me?
