by Sammy Stein

Created on: March 25, 2009

I find it difficult to write about housework and the 'lighter side' because it never goes away. Like some dogged, pining friend you never wanted in the first place, housework is always there, pleading to be done, never finished and demanding your attention.

The best escape I get is when I am asked to baby sit for a friend. Many wonder why I jump at the chance but there is nothing quite so good as relaxing in another person's home with their kids in bed asleep and no housework needing to be done. Oh, you know it is still there, waiting for you when you get home, pining like some forgotten abandoned dog but at least when you are some place else it is not calling, pleading and whinging all the time.

It is funny but when I go to other peoples' homes I never see the dirt, only family homes with friends but I feel certain that when people drop in unexpectedly at my house, they see the dirt, the dust mites on the shelves, the letters and papers thrown around the room. One friend describes my home as ' lovingly lived in'. She is polite and really means it is messy but clean.

What you have to remember with housework is that you are not some superwomnn. Nowadays women are expected to be the all round good parent, hold down a job, part or full time, be there on hand for the kids (and partners) and still keep an immaculate home - as well as managing to see thier own friends. You have to let up on yourself if you do not want to end up frazzled to a cinder at the end of the day.

Prioritise and get the major jobs done. The rest, while it will never take care of itself, is not so important as having a life, seeing friends and getting out of the house from time to time.

I actually talked to my dishes the other day. I told them to stop piling up, stop lying there all dirty, calling to be washed and perhaps just once they could wash, dry and put themselves away. I had done it for long enough.

The dishes ignored me as usual and the cats thought Ihad gone bonkers but it made me feel better.

Many jobs just perpetuate themselves like ironing - where do all those clothes come from - are we wearing ten outfits a day? How come as soon as I empty the ironing basket it is full again, the clothes must hide and jump in when I am not looking.

I have leanred however that to cope with life and particularly housework, you need a good sense of humour or it can get on top of you. I have a son who told me he thought less of me because our garage was in a state - it is true, it was! I rushed in and swept everything into a corner and told him to find his shoes amongst the dross. He fell about laughing and said her preferred it when it was sem-organised chaos.

Housework will always be herr and even when you have finished, there will be more, just waiting round the bend and piling up. But tackle it bravley and with a smile and it is far easier then moaning and groaning. Now, where are my slippers?

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