Clean Kitchen Plan B

I need to think of a plan B fast.

Husband always mention that Cambodian women take really good care of the household, especially kitchen. He always say that if a Cambodian maid's kitchen is not well kept and clean, no man will marry her!

I have thought that the mother's 'nesting instinct' will kick in when daughter was born, so I probably should go through some sort of a 'cleaning frenzy' phase to prepare a clean and beautiful home for daughter.

No, no, no, no..... that nesting instinct never came! Instead of scrubbing, mopping, and polishing, that 'nesting instinct' has turned into 'bedding instinct' - sewing and quilting.

So I have to think about possible reasons why I didn't receive the 'nesting instinct' and here are some...

When I was five, my mother would give my sister, brother and I a pail of water and some rags. She would instruct us to clean the polished cement floor in our house with wet rags. It seemed fun in the beginning, but after being on our knees for half an hour, it became tiring!

Then as I was growing up, I was in charged of mopping floor and scrubbing kitchen counter top. I have always hoped to hear some kind of appreciation from my mother about the house chores that I have done for her. Instead she would always tell me that it was my duty to do house chores, so I should not expect any thanks in return.

I knew that she was right, but somehow I wished that my efforts to keep the house spotless had been acknowledged. I guess when there is no positive incentive to do mundane tasks, I just kind of try to avoid doing house chores.

Now that I have a child, one of my master plan is to let her do the cleaning and reward her lavishly with praises and love for her effort. But now she is only 2-going-on-3 years old...

I need to think of a plan B fast.