The battlefield is strewn with the wounded. There are many, but fortunately, so far, I am not one of them. The battle always seems to go the same way....
I generally choose an early morning attack, hoping that my enemy will not be expecting me. I shoot down many, and take them prisoner. I single-handedly take them to a torture chamber where I send them through "the machine". I purposely do not immediately return to the battlefield, but instead I lay low and out of sight, leaving my prisoners with time to simmer. I return to them only once to administer an oppressing heat in hopes they will surrender before taking them back to the front lines. I always think I have them where I want them and that I am gaining ground, but as I concure my enemy they only expand in numbers overwhelming to me. How am I to keep up? There are so many of them, and but one of me.
My enemy grows daily, hiding in dark corners. Sometimes Spiral comes to my aid, kicking them back when they encroach on our space, but rarely does he go into battle with me. My children understand little of this hideous war that is endlessly waged in our household, and unknowingly fuel the fire.
The fight began long, long ago, and is ceaseless. Many times I have won the battle, only to find that the next is looming around the corner. Of late however, I am beaten, trampled upon, and left injured and confused, nursing my wounds. My entire family suffers from my defeat. Sadly it is mine alone, as they all have their own responsibilities. I accept this, and hang my head in shame for how I have let them down.
Sadly there is no "happy ending" to my narrative. Lack of motivation and energy (both of which are crucial when going to battle) are just two ways my depression manifests itself. In the coming year perhaps (and this is in no way a "New Year's resolution") I will find the motivation and strength I need to continue in battle, and again win. I will try to organize a battle plan, recruit more help, and find a better war chant than I hate laundry!!. For most it is an annoying daily chore. For me it is an overwhelming task that I dread with every ounce of dread I can muster.
You're not the only one involved in the Battle of Laundry Hill. Not the only one by far.
My favorite is when I find clothes that still have hangers in them...with the price tags still attached to the sleeves in the laundry. OBVIOUSLY these items have not been worn since the last time I did laundry. In fact, they have NEVER been worn. Ugh.
A second favorite is when several items that are STILL FOLDED end up in the laundry together. What are my boys thinking when they throw them in the dirty clothes pile?!?!?
In the neverending battle of laundry, I am in a quandry. I quarantine the socks, leave them no chance of escape, and yet when I get back to them....one had always managed to escape, never to be seen again! Argh!!!
By 
Crazy Single Mom, at
6:34 AM
I absolutely love this blog! I am a single mother of 3 boys ages, 8, 6, and 4. I am facing the never ending laundry battle myself; Not to mention my biggest war of the year...post Christmas clean-up! I find myself standing in the middle of it all asking myself "where do I start?" I can relate to the lack of motivation - simply because I have learned that it is indeed a losing batter. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our home of craziness to yours :)
Amen Sister! You realize you cannot win. You're doomed from the start. No one will mourn your loss until they run out of clean underware - then the monday morning quarterbacks come out. Ungrateful family.
As a fellow comrade in the Laundry Wars, allow me to share with you a strategy I have recently adopted:
No more clothes for an individual are washed until the previously washed and folded ones are put away. And yes, if often comes down to when they're out of underwear! But none of their dirty laundry gets cleaned until they comply. Even my 2 yr old is able to put items in drawers, albeit not always the correct drawers.
You should just SEE the effect this is having on my beloved husband! And my 4 yr old son, too! Whoo hoo! Why didn't I think of this before?!?
By Mellie Helen, at
3:53 PM
I knew you were talking about laundry by the second line. The laundry is like the poor, it will be with us always. I would love to join a nudist colony, except I need to diet beforehand. When I win the lottery, I'm going to hire a laundry service. Pick up & drop off, fluff and fold. Forget your mansion, your private airplane. FLUFF AND FOLD, BABY, THAT'S MY DREAM!
