The tidy gene

Over all I think I'm doing a pretty good job at this motherhood thing. My kids are happy, polite well rounded little sweethearts (most of the time), but the one department that I am failing miserably in is the cleaning department. I admit it, I'm a slob. But, I don't think it is entirely my fault. I think that cleanliness is a genetic thing. My sister is a very tidy person. Her house is always clean and clutter free. We obviously were raised in the same house by the same mother, and though I love my Mom, she too is also lacking the tidy gene. (Sorry mom)
Now I know that my life would be so much easier and my home cleaner if I could just clean up as I go. Just like I know if I eat less I won't be fat, but some how I just can't do it. The C word has become a bad word at out house, and saying it can cause fits of temper, tears and much whining (and not just from my kids) I try to keep the main rooms of the house under control, but any room with a door that can be closed is another story. There are some rooms (my sewing room) where we can't remember what color the carpet is.
I think Carly may have lucked out an gotten the tidy gene, as she at 4 does a better job at cleaning a room than her sister. I've even found her in the toy room cleaning up and when asked why she is doing it she tells me that she wants to make me happy.
I hope the saying about how my kids won't remember how clean my house was but rather how much fun we had in our house is true. I know it is true for me. I don't remember how clean our house was growing up I do remember how much I hated cleaning it, but I also remember lots of cookies and sewing and other fun things with my mom. I guess I'm just getting my dreaded payback for all the tantrums I must have thrown over cleaning my room.