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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have chosen to stay home and tidy rather than go for a family walk?

53 replies

MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 13:38

Gosh, just writing that down I think I’m a bit pathetic!

I’ma teacher and have been off work with kids for the whole summer. (11 & 7). My dh has been working the whole time. Yesterday he started his 2 week annual leave.

It’s sunny, we live in a nice rural tourist area with lots of free outdoor activities on our doorstep. Our house is a tip from just the General summer hols.

I have chosen to stay in and Blitz house whilst dh has gone for a nice walk with the kids.

What is wrong with me?! Life’s too short for housework surely?

OP posts:
RhodesianRidgeback · 24/08/2021 13:41

Hah no I love doing that. Peace and quiet. Time t yourself. Put on music and dance around . Get on with whatever jobs are playing on your mind. I do it every week while DH takes the kids out!

NuffSaidSam · 24/08/2021 13:43

YANBU if that's what you want to do.

I think clearing up in a quiet/empty house with a podcast on can be quite soothing actually.

But if you'd rather be out walking then that's also fine. You don't need to tidy up if you don't want to.

minipie · 24/08/2021 13:44

Absolutely not. A really messy house gets me down and is a constant low level annoyance to me. If you’re the same then you will feel much better for days after a good blitz.

And you’ve been off all summer so guessing you’ve done lots of lovely walks!

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 13:45

Yes the peace and quiet is nice! I haven’t been alone much in the past 5 weeks or so!

I bloody hate tidying though 🙈... Which is why the house is a tip!!

Also... does sweeping around 7yr old dd’s room with a binbag count as tidying! 🤣

OP posts:
Hadalifeonce · 24/08/2021 13:45

Having a dirty/ untidy house really stresses me out. So will happily forego some family 'thing' to sort my house out.

Yummymummy2020 · 24/08/2021 13:46

Yes I dream of getting the place to myself to clean!!! With two toddlers it’s near impossible as by bedtime I’m wrecked!!!

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 13:47

@minipie

Absolutely not. A really messy house gets me down and is a constant low level annoyance to me. If you’re the same then you will feel much better for days after a good blitz.

And you’ve been off all summer so guessing you’ve done lots of lovely walks!

We have done lots of lovely activities and walks over the summer yes 😀

A messy house also gets me down, which is odd as I’m not too house proud. But then I just snap a d it drives me crazy!

OP posts:
MonsterKidz · 24/08/2021 13:47

Don’t feel guilty!

There is a time for going out with the family and a time for staying back and doing something else. We need a bit of both. You will feel good from what you achieve and will enjoy something family related even more later in the week.

Also good for DH to have some time on own with DC and vice verza.

Only winners here...

PumpkinPie2016 · 24/08/2021 13:48

YANBU. Mess drives me insane! I am also a teacher at home with my son. We have been having an awesome time but DH has been working flat out the last 2.5 weeks since we came back off holiday so it's just us mostly.

I'll definitely be factoring in some time to do a good tidy up before term re starts!

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 13:49

It seems we’re all on the same page 😀... This is kind of motivating! Thanks!

OP posts:
HP87 · 24/08/2021 13:57

Dh is taking dd6 out for the day tomorrow. I can't wait for ds1 nap so I can get around the house doing some tidying!

HawksAreRed · 24/08/2021 14:03

I'm a teacher too and my kids have both gone to a sports camp for the day!

I could have done anything today, but have chosen to spend most of my time tidying, eating biscuits and chatting to the dog Blush

I'm now contemplating walking to the shops, to buy and eat a cake before picking the kids up!

Enjoy your peace and quiet.

Brollypackedforscottishholiday · 24/08/2021 14:04

I used to send dh off to his dps with a car full of dc...
A day's housework was bliss in comparison..

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 14:08

@HawksAreRed

I'm a teacher too and my kids have both gone to a sports camp for the day!

I could have done anything today, but have chosen to spend most of my time tidying, eating biscuits and chatting to the dog Blush

I'm now contemplating walking to the shops, to buy and eat a cake before picking the kids up!

Enjoy your peace and quiet.

It’s the simple things that make us happy 😀
OP posts:
Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 14:08

@Brollypackedforscottishholiday

I used to send dh off to his dps with a car full of dc... A day's housework was bliss in comparison..
🤣 Yeah, I agree with that!!
OP posts:
Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 14:10

The sad thing is, is that no matter how much I tidy the house never looks clean!! It’s not even too cluttered. Just has things like permanent scratch marks in the wood or marks on the walls

OP posts:
FlyingPandas · 24/08/2021 14:10

OP I would do exactly the same!

Without wishing to sound like a total fruitloop, I find tidying therapeutic in the same way others find cooking or craft activities therapeutic. I tidy up for pleasure, I like the feeling of getting a room sorted, putting stuff away, folding clothes, tidying toys, the satisfactory click of a cupboard closing or drawer sliding into place. I love the fact that I get a huge sense of achievement in creating a nice, welcoming environment for my family.

Don’t get me wrong - we are far from a show home family and we have clutter etc but it’s all very much under control.

When you think about it, it’s the same kind of sensory reward a keen cook might get from preparing a meal - you enjoy the process of doing it and find the end result rewarding.

I love a nice sunny walk as much as anyone but there’s nothing wrong with opting for a good tidy up instead and yes always good for DH to spend time with the DC so it’s win win all round.

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 14:10

It’s sunny so I’m going in to do some gardening now... which is basically housework outside!

OP posts:
MrsRobbieHart · 24/08/2021 14:12

I’m counting down the days until my DC are back at school just so I can blitz the whole house. Grin

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 14:12

@FlyingPandas

OP I would do exactly the same!

Without wishing to sound like a total fruitloop, I find tidying therapeutic in the same way others find cooking or craft activities therapeutic. I tidy up for pleasure, I like the feeling of getting a room sorted, putting stuff away, folding clothes, tidying toys, the satisfactory click of a cupboard closing or drawer sliding into place. I love the fact that I get a huge sense of achievement in creating a nice, welcoming environment for my family.

Don’t get me wrong - we are far from a show home family and we have clutter etc but it’s all very much under control.

When you think about it, it’s the same kind of sensory reward a keen cook might get from preparing a meal - you enjoy the process of doing it and find the end result rewarding.

I love a nice sunny walk as much as anyone but there’s nothing wrong with opting for a good tidy up instead and yes always good for DH to spend time with the DC so it’s win win all round.

That does sound very satisfying... I am actually feeling better than this morning due to the house now being a bit tidyier!
OP posts:
Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 24/08/2021 14:12

@MrsRobbieHart

I’m counting down the days until my DC are back at school just so I can blitz the whole house. Grin
🤣
OP posts:
ElizaDoolots · 24/08/2021 14:14

YANBU at all, I get DH to take DD out every Sunday afternoon for an hour or two so I can blitz the house and start the week fresh.

Ipanemama · 24/08/2021 14:16

Sounds perfect. Beneficial to everyone to have time away from dc.

Go for an evening walk later on your own. Make the most of the light evenings before they go.

AlbertBridge · 24/08/2021 14:18

I can 100% relate to this. I can't relax when the house goes beyond a certain point. I'd have chosen blitzing rather than walking too.

And probably gave made some scones for when everyone comes back, thus messing up the kitchen again..

isthisareverse · 24/08/2021 14:24

You shouldn't be wasting that time by being on MN though.

I prefer to keep on top of the house and do a bit every day - free my weekends and time off, but it's only 1 day.

If you get off MN, and get on with it, you'll feel very satisfied tonight!