Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Nesting

What is nesting? Every time someone asks me what I have been doing lately and I tell them that I have been cleaning and preparing our house for Preston's arrival, I hear the classic phrase, "Oh, you are nesting". I often ask myself what this means or why are they saying this? I took the time to read about this 'nesting' thing and found an interesting article. Check it out: http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_information/nesting_instinct.htm

Wow, it seems as though some pregnant women use the tern 'nesting' to hide some major Obsessive Compulsive tendencies (OCD). Come on, cleaning your house with a toothbrush or folding clothes in a drawer multiple times is a bit out there if you ask me. Also, the part in the article that talked about killing ants one at a time seemed a bit crazy to me. I wonder if some women need to see a psychiatrist alongside their OB.

Anyway, after reading this article, I have some thoughts I would like to share:

First, I don't believe that the term 'nesting' should apply too literarlly to me or only to pregnant women. Personally, I have a natural desire to clean and organize - not just because I am pregnant. (I work as an administrative assistant. Its my job to keep things organized and working effeciently). I thrive in beautiful, clean, and warm environments. When the house is clean (it doesn't have to be perfect) then I am better able to relax and enjoy life. Why should my personality type or natural tendencies get labled as a temporary pregnancy symptom?

Second, I am getting ready for someone to move in my home! Come on -wouldn't you want a clean/organized house if someone was going to move in your home? Wouldn't you want to get things ready for that person - perhaps have things on hand that they may need or want? My in-laws have had multiple people live in their home while they were doing graduate work. They prepared a space or place for this person to live and prepared their home to welcome their guest. Do people say they are 'nesting'? NO. I think preparing our home for a new arrival is a beautiful picture of the art of caring for people. I love my son and care about making his arrival and entrance into our home as easy as possible. If there is trash lying around the house, or he doesn't have any clothes to wear - that would be a problem.

In conclusion, I am sure you will continue to find Steven and I doing updates in our home after Preston arrives. I am sure you will also hear about me cleaning the closet or organizing the sock drawer. I have been an organization minded person most of my life - not just since I have been pregnant. Perhaps we can all think differently about this whole 'nesting' idea and beging to view it more as a means of caring for people (including ourselves) and their individual needs.

1 comment:

Amanda said...

i agree! i tend towards neatness and have been organizing everything since i moved in almost a year ago....not nesting. or if it is, it HAS to apply to more than just pregnancy! hope all goes well the next few weeks! cannot wait to hear about and meet little P! see you at our Dr's office again!! ;)