
Childhood is short, and children are washable. Rosemary Bogdan assures parents that it's OK to let the kids get dirty sometimes.
Life is messy. Life with children is especially messy. Sticky hands, fingerprints, spilled juice, muddy feet, mothers have seen it all. Pretty much every day, depending on the age of the child.
I remember realizing early in my motherhood that everything can be cleaned. Well, maybe not everything, but almost everything. I also knew that at any given time I could be wearing any bodily fluid: poop, pee, spit-up, vomit, whatever. I also knew it was okay. Such inconveniences were just part of the job. The child couldn’t help it, and bemoaning the occurrence didn’t do me or the child any good.
Stuff happens
So I was completely unruffled when my young grandson unexpectedly threw up in my car on our way back from an outing. He said, “Nana, I don’t feel well,” just a second or two before the familiar sound effects began.
“Oh no," I said. "I’ll pull over right when we get to that next street.”
I got out of the car and asked if he was okay. He said he was and then mournfully said he was so sorry. I told him it was not a problem. It was mostly on the floor mat, and I could just take that out when I got home and hose it down. He said, “But some of it is on the back of your seat.”
I smiled and told him, “That’s not a problem either. I can easily clean that. Sweetie, I have six children. I’ve cleaned up lots of throw-up in my life. It can all be cleaned. When we get you home just make sure you swing your legs to the side, so you don’t step in it.”
My specialties: changing diapers and cleaning up vomit
I realized that I still had the grace of motherhood. I laughingly told myself you could almost say that changing diapers and cleaning up vomit were two of my specialties. I was not repulsed at all. If I love the person it came from, I don’t have a problem with it.
I had to remind myself quite a bit during the years of my mothering that everything can be cleaned. Children bringing in muddy footprints can be gently reminded to wipe their feet next time or take their shoes off. Fingerpainting is supposed to be messy. Creativity can be stifled if Mom is too rigid during art projects. Having fun sometimes just requires messiness.
I remembered this principle when my daughter recently sent me a video of her children going down a wet slide shortly after it had rained. The three of them formed a train and held on to each other as they went down with great speed. The squeals of delight were contagious. They were having the time of their lives as they got to the bottom, slipping and falling and racing to the ladder to do it again.
They were sopping wet and covered with mud. That did not stop them. They were laughing hilariously, rushing to go down that slide over and over again. As their grandma, I was delighted to see them having so much fun.
Let them get wet and muddy
As moms, sometimes we just need to let them get all wet and muddy. Their clothes and their little bodies are easily cleaned. No, it can’t happen all the time. There does need to be some boundaries and rules of decorum. But when circumstances allow, when such indulgence is an option, we can give our children some moments of great joy.
Joy is important for children and adults alike. And when we allow room for it in our lives, I have no doubt that it pleases our Heavenly Father. He created us. He knows what we need. And just as we love to hear our children’s laughter, how He must delight to see His children having fun.
Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.
Copyright 2024 Rosemary Bogdan
Images: Canva
About the Author
Rosemary Bogdan
Rosemary Bogdan is a wife, mother of six adult children, and a grandmother. She homeschooled her children when they were young and currently substitute teaches at her favorite Catholic school. When not spending time with her family, Rosemary writes at A Catholic Mother's Thoughts and Catholic365.com.
Comments