Having Symptoms of OCD

I'm a stay at home mom of 2 and run an in home daycare I to am like this but struggle every day to not be like this and constantly picking up right behind the kids! They are learning that if they are playing with a toy and want something else they have to put it back first I also wait till bedtime and make the kids pick up as much as they can of there stuff mind you my kids are 6 almost 7 and 3 so they have very little attention spans are usually cranky by bedtime so I finish picking up after they are in bed.

Good Morning S.! OCD can manifest in many ways. Nope never had to have everything in its place. Probably will died looking for something...lol
Your not enjoying your home and probably no one else is either. Your obsessing with neatness and uncluttered control. It's controlling you S. not the other way around.

So what if a part of a game set is missing, it will show up unless it's here and the dog found it first. Then it shows up in the poop pile. I don't like junk mail either so it usually doesn't make it into the house, right to the recycle dumpster torn in to pieces.

Your kids are probably afraid ( well not really) to leave anything out, it makes mama manic.
Yes it's great to get the kids to put away the things they are playing with before getting out something else.

I had this on my walls for years when the boys were little, still holds true, but all things change.
If it rings .. answer it
If it's open.. close it
If it's wet.. dry it
If it's dirty.. wash it
If it's dropped.. pick it up
If it falls.. hold it
If it hurts.. kiss it
If it's sad.. make it laugh
If it Cries.. Love it!!

All things in Moderation S., your kids won't think about how neat and tidy your home was, they want to remember Mama played with them and they had fun. Doesn't mean you have to live in mess and clutter, just don't live in a DO NOT TOUCH Zone.

My OCD is different! I count driveways, phone polls, lines on the road. ONLY when I am a passenger not the driver...lol I put words in Alphabetical order on commercials, book titles, marquees etc... I can stop any time, but it's what I do. I catch myself tapping my foot at each driveway on a street. Only person that knows I do this is my hubby.. and HE Ain't telling...lol Well now all of Mamasource knows I'm nutz........lol

So next time a piece of a toy or game is messing, ask your self, Is it really that important to get upset about it and tear the place up looking for it!?!?! Probably not!
Will the roof cave in if a newspaper or piece of mail is left on the table? Probably not! Will my Frig fall over if I don't organize those Precious notes and pictures the kids did for me? Nope it won't!!
Will I go Nutzo with K. if I try to FIX it ALL all the time? Probably Will! So settle down, relax, deep breathe and enjoy the laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses.

God Bless you S., We can all try and be prefect. But it will WEAR you Out sweetheart!!
K. Nana of 5

Is this a chronic condition or does it seem to emerge at different times? I am not the neatest housekeeper of all time by any means (you would find my home office unbearable!), but I find that during times of stress, clutter and disorganization really frustrate me. That's when I start putting every little thing away, rearranging my pantry, etc. (I also make endless lists under stress--kind of counterproductive since it adds to the clutter!) Take a look at your life and see if there isn't some other stressor that is really causing you the anxiety. Perhaps "cleaning house" is your way of gaining control and releasing that nervous energy.

In any case, as long as the OCD-like tendencies aren't interfering significantly with your life (like you aren't going places because you have to clean, or you won't allow your children to play because they might make a mess, or you don't have time to do things you enjoy because you're cleaning) then it sounds like you have plenty of others who have a neat house as a top priority, and that's just fine!

relax...& yes, the world will NOT come to an end if the house is not clean.

When your children begin creating their own homes, what do you want them to take with them? Memories of a completely spotless childhood home & a Mom totally focused on this goal. OR a Mom who was always ready to sit down & read/play/daydream with them?

My Mom's best friend gave me one of the best compliments I've ever received. It was early in my child-rearing years, & she said, "I like coming to your house. I know the kids are always going to be doing something & having fun. The laundry will be piled on the coffee table, there'll be dishes in the sink/pans on the stove...but there will always be toys & kids playing, too. You have a home. I wish my girls could learn how to relax & let the family be happy".

To this day (almost 20 years later), I still treasure this! So, to help yourself, hop on a treadmill - read a book to the kids - take the kids for a walk/to the park/etc.... each time you feel the need to clean. Channel that energy, need, & urge into something for the kids...something for yourself! I wish you Peace.

I'm a SAHM and I have to say that I do not go through this AND I'd like to invite you to my home to see if it has the same effect on you! (snicker!!) I do like things certain ways and I just think maybe that's human, and maybe since being in your home is what you do now you just want things a certain way.

OCD is simple are you compelled to the actions. In other words after you clean up the toys and put them away do you go back over and over and count the pieces. Do you constantly inventory the toy box. I mean in a way that you cannot sleep unless you check to make sure everything is there in the same place before you go to bed. If not you are just wanting everything in order.

I have ADD and if I don't keep my stuff in the same place I lose it. Not OCD just the structure I need to function. Hope you see the difference.

I teach high school, and I am much like you. I always have been. Fortunately my husband is very neat, and my oldest son is as well. I was actually concerned about him being OCD when he was younger, but his doctor put my mind at ease. My youngest is a bit messier, so I struggle with him. He has had to learn to put away all of his toys immediately when he is finished playing with them, or the rest of the family (especially me) will be very unhappy. As long as you can find a way to function with your need to have everything in it's place, I would just enjoy your neat, clean home. If your need for structure and organization is keeping you from enjoying life, I would seek help.

You and I could be soul sisters. I think too many people are very slovenly about the way they keep their things. The Bible tells us that God won't reward us with more until we take care of what we have. Look at what you are teaching your children. There is nothing wrong with putting something back when you aren't using it. I also HATE toy sets that are not together. If it's broke or pieces are missing, it gets thrown out. I am this way because I am a caregiver. It's in my nature to put my best food forward. My daycare parents respect me for it. Why should an individual be any other way?