Growing up my mother kept a clean and tidy home. She taught all five of us kids the importance of taking care of our things and the home. As an adult I get anxious at the site of clutter and messes. I can't stand it. When the mess is too hard for me to handle I go for a walk. I must get away from it.

If I want less anxiety I could spend all day cleaning up after my five children. Kids are messy. However, if I do that I am only encouraging my children to be lazy by relying on me to be their housekeeper. That's not fair to me and I would not be doing a good job as their mother.

My mom did a great job raising myself and my siblings. We are now successful and responsible adults. I admire her and have always wanted to be like her. I know I shouldn't compare my parenting skills with hers, but it is hard not to. I want my kids to learn responsibility, just like I did growing up.

Life today is different from the 80's when I was a kid.

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