Mom My Ride

I'm pretty sure just about everyone who reads this blog is a mom and can, therefore, relate to my agony on this issue. Messes in the van.

How many times have I said, "The van is not a toybox. Please take your things inside with you!"? I have all but forbidden any form of eating, or drinking anything but water, while we're driving because I get so tired of cleaning up the messes. Nevertheless, toys, Uno cards, papers, and lots and lots of crumbs somehow find their way onto the seats and floor. Once, I climbed into the back of the van get somthing and I almost couldn't find my way back out for all the mess surrounding me. It was scary!
I've gotten to the point of periodically going through the van and throwing away anything the kids have left behind. It even brings me joy to get my oil changed because they vaccuum the floors, too. (How pathetic am I, that I get excited about an oil change?!)
Sometimes I get a little crazy and I park the van right next to the kitchen door, haul out the vaccuum cleaner, and really clean it out. For the next few days, I'm extra picky about what the kids bring into and take out of the van. I get really strict about the eating policy. I live in my fantasy world thinking maybe, just maybe, the van will stay clean this time. Then I wake up.

I'm realizing as long as I have kids, the van will be messy - just like the house. I'm not going to bother trying to take the stickers off the back window that "Nobody" put up. The scratches on the side will serve to remind me of the hard work Matthew put into learning to ride his bike. When rocks - which have been stored in the back - are rattling around, I'll try to admire my kids' desire to collect things they think are interesting and beautiful.
Yes. I will try to maintain a positive attitude in spite of my messy van. And when I don't think I can do it any longer, I'll click over to this link so I can at least laugh about every mom's messy van. Many thanks to my friend, Lori, who shared this video with me. It's great!