It takes a lot of blankets to build a fort

I’ve been told that I’m an organized person. I’ve also been told that I can be stressful to be around when things aren’t organized. I get anxious when my desk at home or work starts to get a bit disorganized. Having three kids in the house has sometimes meant that the house isn’t at nice and tidy as when it was just Kim and me. But I’m slowly realizing that sometimes the messes are a result of something artistic or creative the kids have organized or built.

At one time of another I’ve probably mumbled as I folded what seemed like a dozen blankets. I’m sure I’ve questioned why all the pillows had been taken off the couch and strategically placed on the living room floor. Or the times when I find 200 Tinker Toys spread around the house.

So I’ve tried to slow down and enjoy whatever it is the kids are building. If I slow down and listen they usually have a good reason for needing to pull out every puzzle they can find and mixing them together. I’ve learned it takes a lot of blankets to build a “blanket fort” just like it takes a lot of cushions to play “musical cushions”. I had no idea why anyone would need all 200 Tinker Toys until our oldest explained that she needed all of them to build “a very big” fishing pole. I mean, when you’re going fishing to that pond behind the couch, it makes perfect sense that you’d need a long fishing pole. How come I didn’t see that before?

I still get stressed at times. But I’m beginning to see that messes usually reflect the kids minds and bodies are at work. And that’s a good thing. I should probably worry more if the house is always in pristine condition because that’s probably a sign that the kids didn’t use their minds and spent their time watching cartoons. Tonight, as my five year old daughter, presented me with a cool piece of artwork that she created on her own, she asked me, “Dad, are you going hang it up at work?”

Yep, I’m going hang it up. My cubicle needs less organization and more kid created art.