Batchellor pad??

[lightsandshapes]

OK, this is quite a lighthearted thread. But I have been away for a week (actually less - 5 days) and since I've come home, our house seems to have regressed to a batchellor pad state

Flooded bathroom,
Stale, damp smell in house
Kitchen not terrible, but some strange smells coming from it and grimy looking.
Boy toys dotted around - i.e. half dismantled bike.
Evidence of having lived on pizza, fried egg sarnies and wine.
'Manly' smell in the bedroom

DP not home yet ;)

My question is - I now have a fear that my house always smells and looks a bit dirty and I had just grown accustomed to it - or has it reall regressed that badly in 5 days? What do visitors think when they come??

Not been to your house so I can't comment on visitor opinions!! BUT my DP does the same thing if I am away for just one night. I get back the following day and there are empty pizza boxes, larger cans, and everything everywhere (including damp towels on the floor)!!!

Only experience that with two boys (20yrs & 18yrs). If my wife goes away I try and get the house cleaner and tidier than it was when she left. I am sure that it is just a temporary thing and that it normally smells of roses.

Sounds and probably looks like a normal day/week in my house - I do live with one nearly teenage and three teenage sons. I try to clean house, but it is a never ending cycle of me tidying and them messing it up. They do try to help, but unfortunately their cleanliness standard and my standard differ.

thanks folks. sounds like other have / had similar experiences. The house recieved some thorough cleaning today by me and DPs daughter (paid by the hour - his idea). Not complaining about the help as I'm eight months pregnant! Hopefully it is decent for visitors now - I'm paranoid about how others view it!

I wouldnt have cleaned it myself! I would have read him the riot act about the mess he left under the assumption that the cleaning fairy would sort it out and handed him a mop.

Seriously, dont let this start now because otherwise you will find yourself picking up after him forever and you will have enough to do with your baby. You are not his mother or his skivvy so dont act like one! And as for paying is DD, I can see that she earns money and helps you out but as it was his idea, is this just his way of making sure he never has to do anything in the house? What about when his DD doesnt want to do it anymore?