The old Nesting Instinct

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

15 Jul 2008 10:50 AM

It is a built in feature for many women, an actual instinct that drives us to care for our homes and our families. We want our "nests" to be the place where we, and each of our family members, most want to be. So, we clean and fluff and rearrange and redecorate then rinse and repeat.

Sometimes, this instinct is stronger than at other times. It seems to be especially powerful when we are about to give birth. Everything has to be just right before the baby comes home. Yet, for many of us it really never goes away, even as our last "baby" goes off to school and beyond...

Sometimes, the nesting instinct strikes when least expected. While we might wish we could skip housework or other mundane chores at times, when we are forced to skip certain things temporarily for whatever reason, the urge to feather our nests frequently emerges. This happened to me recently.

After a rough week at work, all I wanted to do was relax. Or, so I thought. My instincts had other ideas, and I soon found myself stripping beds and going from room to room, attacking clutter. Then I suddenly had the urge to weed the yard. I was sweating and tired, but I felt a sense of accomplishment. I then felt as if I actually could relax. Well, right after I made a nice dinner from scratch that is. I even whipped up homemade French and Ranch dressing for our salads.

My kids asked why I was doing so much on what was my only day off that week. I thought about the answer as I brushed my youngest daughter's hair for much longer than it really needed. Was it possible that I actually missed chores? Housework? Nah, that couldn't be it.

I just missed taking care of my family.

Does your nesting instinct kick in at unusual times?

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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