I Don't Like a Mess!

Ok, this is something I have been teased about a lot, but it's true. I can not stand to be dirty or messy, especially with food! I never let my babies feed themselves something that would end up all over them. If it was cheerios, crackers or something like that, I let them use their fingers. Other than that, I fed them.
When they got older and were eating foods that needed a spoon or fork, the same rule applied. If I believed that they could eat it without it being a mess, it was o.k. Otherwise, I did it.
Now, because I had my first 3 children in 2 1/2 years, this made meal time very interesting. My oldest was easy because she is just like me. I could trust her to eat neatly. But, you would often finding me feeding myself plus 2 more children at a meal. Don't get me wrong, my husband is a great help with the kids! But, if he wasn't there, I just couldn't let them feed themselves.
I know there are other moms like me (Jackie). But, most moms I know put whatever the meal is in front of their baby/toddler and just let them go at it. This is something that is hard for me to even watch. It just grosses me out! Even the picture above is hard for me to look at (no, that is not any of MY children!)
This used to carry over big time with letting them all get dirty outside. I was definitely "that mom" that you would hear saying, "don't touch that, we don't want to get dirty" or "we just took a bath, so we are going to stay inside today". In this area, I have actually changed quite a bit. I still don't like to see my kids filthy and sweaty. But, on days when I know they can immediately come inside and take a shower, I actually let them play in the sandbox!
This is why they have the father that they do. He lets them play and have a great time and get as dirty as they want. He would do this when they were real little and I would have to just walk away. I couldn't stand to watch.
So, where does this all stem from, you ask? I think I was truly born this way. I was the type of kid who hated to get dirty. On my first birthday, I did NOT want to touch that cake with my hands.
You might think that this means my house is always spit spot and clean. That would be a logical conclusion. However, not true. I like a clean house. I really do. Maybe it's the 4 kids. Maybe it's laziness. Maybe it's the time I spend on this stupid computer!! Whatever the reason, keeping this house clean is not something I do well or naturally. I have to work really hard at it. It usually takes me looking around and wanting to hide in my room before I really kick into high gear.