Don't Get a MilSpouse a HousePlant

It looks so pathetic just sitting there. It's leaves drooping and limp in a desperate cry for help as if to say it will do anything for a little attention. I've been through this routine before. I only have a small twinge of empathy for these poor pathetic souls that dare to enter my house. But I just don't have the time to spend caring for plants inside our four walls. I can take care of my children, my pets, the house itself, the yard, my students, my podcast, and myself. But I just can't take care of a plant.

My mother always had plants in the house. She would lovingly nurture them, feed them, prune them, and show them off. My sisters love having plants around them also, but I just can't keep one alive no matter how hard I try. And I've just felt lately that they're really not even worth the effort. Here are my reasons why:

Sheena's latest victim.

1. There are more important things to take care of...

Listen, I have myself, my dogs, my boys, my students, my job, the house (and everything that goes along with that) and sometimes even my husband to take care of. House plants are not very high on the totem pole of importance for me and will often be just an after thought as I head off to bed.

2. The PCS Shuffle

We move on average every 3-4 years. And my husband's long standing joke used to be that he picked up a dependent with every new duty station. With every PCS I have had to decide "do I give these houseplants away or try to move them with us?" And don't get me started on how to keep that plant alive in transition...

3. Being outdoors is more fun

I don't need to bring the outdoors in, I just need to go out there! My boys love to be outside whether it's hot or cold. When we go out and play, we get to see so many vibrant colors and the plants are bigger and more resilient than any indoor plant I've tied to keep. And it's easier to take care of my outdoor plants because if I forget to water them Mother Nature's got my back.

So keep your plants or better yet, spring for that coffee gift card instead. THAT I can use.