Friday, July 30, 2010

The "before" pictures....




That I didn't want to post because I'm so ashamed and embarrassed that I have let my house fall down around my ears. At the same time I'm sick of reading the blogs of perfect women and mothers with perfect children and perfect lives. My life isn't. And that is the reality - these pictures are the reality of my house right now. I've got five days off and on Thursday I plan on posting the "after" photos to show you all. These go some way to a public-accountability of sorts and I'm sure will give me the extra motivation should I lack some during the next week or so!!
Recently I've had that unsettled feeling where I want things to change. I want to move to a newer/bigger house, wanted to sell my car & buy a bigger/newer car etc. Reflecting on 'why' and talking to my Nana I realised that these are 'wants' rather than 'needs' - our current accommodation and vehicle are more than adequate for our needs. I'm also reading a book about parenting heavily based on Buddhist philosophy and I'm currently working my way through the chapter on respect. It's interesting and thought provoking and while I sit here posting these pictures it is ever so clear to me that I'm expecting my children to respect what they have while I am clearly demonstrating the opposite. I'm hoping to implement change and hope to be modelling the behaviour that I want my children to develop in myself in the coming weeks/months.

5 comments:

Miss Melissa said...

I really admire you for your honesty bec! Good on you! :) And i am sure that you can do it a long with some elbow grease and some good quality time spent doing it. Its so easy just to let things build up to the point where you just cant be bothered, but eventually it gets us down. I really do believe that alot of our homes gives us the mood of feeling depressed and down when they are all out of order and have no organisation in them. Good Luck! And looking forward to joining in! You should join in on the Housewife Boot camp thing too that you read on my blog! :) Its on every tuesday. :)
Love
Mel

Bella said...

Did you come and take photos of my house Bec? My house is currently at the point where I won't even let my best friend in the door - and we've known each other for 28 years!

I'd be really interested in reading the book you are reading - I nodded my head when you talked about trying to get your kids to respect their things etc when you are modelling the opposite - I am doing the same thing...

Anonymous said...

I often clear just the area behind my child to take pictures other people might see. I wish you all the best in your effort and can't wait to hear any tips you might learn on your journey!

Lola said...

your house looks just like my house, i am so releived......

Crazy Mumma said...

oh I'd love to read that book too. Can you let us know what the name of it is. You hit the nail on the head with your statement about how can the kids learn respect when I don't show respect either. That is happening here too.

My house, i'm lost in it right now. I think its gone above my ears LOL