The Dirty Truth

Do you ever need a reality check? I got one recently.


Belief: I am the only person in this entire household that cares about things being clean.

"Mom, could you please wash the tablecloth? It's grossing me out."

"How about you wash it?"

"No. I'll just cover it my place with a napkin."

The same child, later in the week.

"This abacus is gross!"

"Why?"

"Look at all these little spots of dried spit up."

"Oh, did I miss some. Sorry. Will you get a wipe and clean them off for me?"

"No. I just won't use it or look at it."

A different child.


"Mom, somebody exploded poop all in the toilet and it looks gross."

"There is a toilet brush right next to the toilet. How about you scrub it."

"Yuck! I don't need to go potty right now. I just went. I'll use a different bathroom when I have to go again."

And yet another child.


"Mom! Look at this gross greasy hand print I put on the window when I was showing everyone the bunny in the backyard!"

"The window cleaner is in the tote on the shelf in the laundry room."

"Oh, I don't mind it. You can clean it if it bothers you."

And another.


"I know you are going to ask me to clean up the library, but I didn't touch any of the books, or art supplies, or anything in there."

"Really? What were you doing in there. Just staring at the mess?"

"Yeah, pretty much. I couldn't find the book I wanted on the floor. It's a big mess in there."

"How about you clean it up. You might find the book and you'll be helping the family out."

"I didn't do any of it and I don't want to read the book that bad. I'll just get another one."

I could go on, and on, and on, and on. But I am pretty sure you get the point of my reality!


Truth: I am the only person in this entire household that will, of my own accord, do anything about things being clean.

Thoughts to Ponder: What would happen if I just stopped working? Would the filth eventually bother someone and fingers get lifted without prompting and assigned chores? Could I live here, or would I need to conduct this experiment with video cameras and safe living quarters away form the laboratory?