In a house where there are small children the bathroom soon takes on the appearance of the Old Curiosity Shop

In a house where there are small children the bathroom soon takes on the appearance of the Old Curiosity Shop

Robert Benchley was a humorist known for his witty observations and clever quips about everyday life. One of his most famous quotes is, “In a house where there are small children the bathroom soon takes on the appearance of the Old Curiosity Shop.” This statement perfectly captures the chaos and clutter that can often be found in a household with young kids.

Anyone who has ever lived with small children can attest to the fact that their belongings have a way of spreading throughout the house like wildfire. Toys, books, clothes, and other items seem to multiply overnight, creating a constant state of disarray. Nowhere is this more evident than in the bathroom, where children’s bath toys, toothbrushes, and other assorted items can quickly take over the space.

The comparison to the Old Curiosity Shop is particularly apt, as this fictional establishment in Charles Dickens’ novel of the same name is described as a cluttered and chaotic place filled with a hodgepodge of odd and interesting items. In a similar vein, the bathroom in a house with small children can become a veritable treasure trove of random objects, from rubber ducks and bath crayons to half-empty bottles of shampoo and toothpaste tubes squeezed within an inch of their lives.

Despite the mess and mayhem that often reign in a household with young children, there is also a sense of joy and wonder that comes with it. The bathroom may be cluttered with toys and toiletries, but it is also a place where laughter and splashing abound, where children learn to brush their teeth and wash their hands, and where memories are made that will last a lifetime.

So, while the bathroom in a house with small children may indeed resemble the Old Curiosity Shop in terms of its eclectic assortment of items, it is also a place filled with love, laughter, and the joy of childhood. And perhaps, as Robert Benchley suggested, that is a trade-off worth making.