To think people with pristine houses are weird

[JJ17]

I try, the house is OKish, my rules being "would social services take my kids away". But there are certain sticky bits on the carpet.

The loo seat doesn't fit right and most of the wallpaper is scribbled on.

Am I alone in this?

I watch reality TV and most peoples' houses are more decorated than mine.

I can afford to do 1 or 2 rooms a year therefore the rest are for shit most of the time.

YANBU

You decorate 1 or 2 rooms a year? That's 1 or 2 more then me? Has annual hoousehold redecoration become the norm?

Mate - it's been 10 years! I am working on 1 or 2 rooms now that they are all bogging.

Everyone's got imperfect areas in their home. They're also probably much dirtier than you think. I always clean up and vaccuum before people come round, but I know that when I go to other people's houses I'm never looking to see whether they have fluff under the sofa/marks on their table etc. I don't know why I always think they're looking that closely when they come to mine.

I am always embarrassed and hate having people to my home. My DS2 had a bday party recently and the kids thought our house was "posh" but we live on a council estate and everyone from the school is from the same estate. Basically if you have a house rather than a flat you are "posh" round here. It's quite relaxing really to be a chav! lol

quite relaxing being a chav

I would love a house that always looks beautiful but I have a terrible eye for what looks nice. I think it's partly because I've been in a rental since I turned 19 so never feel any ownership of the space and partly because I've never lived an a home that is beautifully decorated.

If you're bothered take a look at flylady (there are some flylady threads in the good housekeeping section of MN) or unclutterer.com

It depends if you're house is messy, dirty or just not decorated. If it doesn't bother you then don't worry about it. If you feel you can't have people over then perhaps you need to look at why.

I used to think that then I realised a) they are not as lazy as me b) they need to have something to do at all times c) they like things tidy to relax. I wish I could be like that, but I'm not.

People compliment me on always having a clean house, but they wouldn't say that if they could see under the beds or inside the wardrobes. Heh.

I felt sorry for next door neighbours kids when they where little their house was a show-house it was one toy out one away, youngster's Lego was sent to be left at granny's because she wouldn't put it way quick enough she was 5.
To be fair it was the husband but she would never admit it, I used to here him constantly having a go at her over the slightest crumb.

My house is very basically decorated but it is free from clutter and so I think it looks nice. It gets wrecked during the day as I have 4 Dc's but only takes 5 mins to put back to normal.

we painted the frontroom the day we moved in because it was sooo mcky with nicotine stains but that was 8 aug 2002, nothing since except we stripped the woodchop wallpaper off the hallway and neil did put in a new bathm shower and sink

I can't relax unless the place is tidy in the evenings but it's by no means immaculate.

The flat is only 8months old so the decoration is fine, just plain magnolia walls everywhere that we're not allowed to decorate until April so that makes it look better anyway.

The toddler can have has many toys out as he wants during the day but he must help me tidy up before bed and I hoover the lounge/diner and hallway every evening and dishes are always done after every meal and kitchen surfaces wiped down.

BUT.....

There's always at least one load of washing in the laundry basket that needs doing, Stuff everywhere in the main bedroom as it also doubles has a storage room (I just shut the door on that one) and clean clothes scattered around the toddlers room. I have bright pink/purple patches of paint on my living room carpet and handprints all over the patio doors.

Surely all that's normal when you have kids? Or am I just making excuses

My friend used to have an immaculate flat, and bless her, she tries to keep it that way, but her just turned one year old ds has other idea's

I think there is nothing wrong with a messy house - mine is normally suitable for visitors as long as I can half an hour's notice, never much more than that.

My teenage son's room is unfit for human visitation though ha ha.

however, I cannot ever imagine having my wallpaper covered in scribbles - I can see it happening, once! but never again.

I would bin every pen and pencil in the house I think, rather than let that happen.

HOwever, I am not as extreme as this though.

I remember my kids going to a party in a neighbour's house, and were home five minutes when we realised something had been left behind. When we nipped back to get it the DH in the house had a paint pot out and was going over the marks in the hallway where little fingerprints MAY have been left by the party guests lol

I have four kids and a reasonably tidy house, I am just one of those people who can't relax with mess around, I wish I could, I'd be a lot happier I think. I'm constantly bloody mopping or hoovering or dusting and I hate it. Tidying and cleaning my house is like painting the Forth Bridge, as soon as I think I've finished my 4 little ones have just messed it all up again. I need a magic wand.

Mine would be a lot bloody tidier if I was the only one who lived here!
DS (20) and DD (14) just put stuff down wherever they happen to be standing and no amount of years of attempting to retrain them has made a jot of difference.

Also we have two dogs who shed constantly so most of my battle is trying to control the dog hair.
My house is a state most of the time, the only room which stays tidy is my bedroom.

I have 2 friends who have immaculate houses - to the point where you could eat off any surface (floor, loo seat, etc) at any time, and be confident that it has been bleached in the last 5 minutes.
I don't like visiting them, as it feels quite uncomfortable having them hovering around with a cloth to catch any crumbs that dare to fall from me or my dc.

And by weird you mean you're jealous, right?

Because I know I am. My house is ok but never 'pristine'. I wish it was but I sm never enough on top of things for it to be.

I would like to have a pristine house, if I could get one without having to do all that housework and home maintenance on daily basis / fork out for a daily cleaner

So since this is the situation, I'll join you in saying people with better houses than mine are weird. Makes us feel better, eh? The oddballs with their shiney houses. pah. freaks.

I could have had a pristine house pre-kids.

I don't want to feel like a servant so I don't go round picking up after everyone. My Mum was the same. Saves my sanity. It's a trade-off I'm willing to make.

I used to be unable to sleep in an untidy room, and I would like a pristine house, but with a toddler and a clutter-loving husband it's something I just can't have. DH has thrown some of his crap away (however lots of computery stuff, leads, boxes full of papers related to a house he owned and rented out in 1980's, videotapes, some cassettes, etc. remain), but he will not get rid of more, and I can't make him. I guess it's what marriage is about - compromise. Also, pnd and a challenging toddler sap all of my energy, so end up just tidying up a bit every night - for about 10 mins. How much is a cleaner?

My house has nothing wrong with it, the toilet seat fits perfect, and I'd be right miffed if it didn't and I'd refit it.

It doesnt cost anything to emulsion some walls, well barely nothing.

I dont think its weird to have a pristine house.

When you work hard you want to be able to see what you are working for.

I can't undersand how people can justify living in shit holes.

I don't 'justify' it, I just get on with it.

Our house is presentable - not over the top pristine - not a tip either. The whole house was decorated in 2001 (it had been totally refurbished when we bought it in 1994). Since then we try to decorate a room or two a year and everything's been done since 2001 except the hall stairs and landings which are due. It wouldn't be to everyone's taste (a lot of dark furniture but I'm sure it will come back into fashion one day). I would dearly love it to be immaculate and we are getting there as the DC are both at secondary.

We had a few scribbles when the dc were tiny (under 3) but it was a few and each time they were wiped away or painted over. Neither child did it more than half a dozen times - I cannot believe the OP lets her children scribble all over the walls and just leaves it and I am not, repeat am not, of the pristine variety.

Apart from my teenage sons room my house is lovely all the time!Scribbling on walls is dreadful imo kids should know that walls are not for drawing on and sticky carpets can be cleaned.It really takes very little time to keep your home half decent mess is one thing but dirt!I can't think straight if there is clutter everywhere get the binliners out and clear the crap!