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Messes can be cleaned up.

Memories can't be re-created.

This is a mantra I live by.

As well as "stains are marks of memories made."

Being okay with the mess is another thing, it takes some practice getting used to.

But it also takes a few precautionary things that you can do to be ready for the mess. And it makes it much more manageable.

I started writing this to share with you our rainbow rice sensory bin with letter learning and then got on a tangent about messes. I challenge you to try something a little messier than usual this week.

How to Make Messy Play More Manageable For You:

You could put down a tablecloth or shower curtain (or towel, blanket, sheet... ) underneath whatever it is that you're doing to not only protect your floors or table, but to make for super easy clean up -- bring it together, take it outside and shake it out! Or, throw it in the wash and you're good to go.

You could take the activity outside and let the mess just happen!

You could do messy play in the bath or shower area.

The point is, there are things you can do if you're afraid of the mess -- I get that! You're not alone, many very active hands-on parents shy away from some of the messier activities because of it.

​But here's what I want you to know -- children absolutely love getting messy, whether it's in dirt, while painting, or while in a sensory tub and watching all the popcorn kernels fly out and bouncing around. But they are exploring and learning so much when they're doing this. Those popcorn kernels are a huge learning opportunity to wonder why they would bounce around and make sound when oatmeal didn't do that in the other sensory tub we did. I wonder why. Hm. Their minds are figuring all that out!

Plus, it's kind of like breaking the rules.

You know how many times we tell our kids to keep clean, or wash up -- when we let them get a little messier, they feel as though they're breaking the rules a bit -- and this is totally normal and safe for them to test their boundaries a bit.

Ultimately, messes lead to some very fond memory making -- and that's what we are ALL about here. Keeping the kids happy and engaged and creating tons of fun memories together. So what's better than a big ol' mess?

It can be cleaned up.

And the stains will prove we had some fun doing it.