That's pretty lazy that you cannot clean up your own house/mess/clutter. Americans are so lazy and I can see why the rest of the world despises our ways. I'm sure your maid makes like $100 a week and some way you justify that you're doing her a favor. Just my .02.

When we hire a cleaning service, we end up working more ourselves, to be sure to get the most out of it, then work at tidying up the yard while they're inside. We make sure to thank the service, and tip nice. We don't have a fancy house, it's just a way to make sure things are up to a better level, and only do this occasionally. I don't think this increases hatred of Americans, in spite of what Two sense may say, especially since maids are far more common in many other countries. A good attitude goes further. It's good advice, Chandrama. :)

We have a strong international community here, with people from many countries, so I'm not sure whether the couple hiring a maid/organizer is "American." Happy couples make for happy kids. And kids are our future. So if a housecleaner helps, why not?

My husband was a feminist, until we had kids. Then he decided to stop doing his share.

And despite my great tech job, we can't really afford a housekeeper. His career has been up and down since we married, and is currently down. Not everyone around here can buy their way out of some marital problems. So I get to work full time, take care of the kids mostly by myself, and do housekeeping. Yeah me.

It's not just men who are blind to clutter. I really don't notice clutter and have to make a concerted effort to keep on top of things. I wish I could afford a maid on a regular basis but I have to settle for maid service every few months. Why don't I notice clutter? I don't know. I grew up in a very clean and tidy home and even as a child, my clutter annoyed my mother. I have made peace with it and no longer worry about it. As long as my family is happy, that's what's most important.
BTW--it is not laziness.

It is simply easier to live life with clutter. it takes less effort. staying ahead of clutter is hard work (physically and mentally). and one reason that you live with clutter in your life is because you have chosen it.

Thanks for everyone's comments. Privileged, I hope you will try again to talk with your husband, as it sounds like you have resentment building, and that can lead to marriage difficulties. Jen, you're right that it's not only men who are blind to clutter. Both genders struggle with this -- or their partners do. Some people's "clutter" is actually "hoarding" which falls into a different category. The woman who owned our house for 37 years before we got it had so much stuff that parts of the kitchen had not been painted because no one could get to it. Cleaning up after ourselves is a value that can come out the door into our community. See what works in your couple, and what values you want to teach your kids. My son's birthday is in June, so twice a year we'd sort through his toys and clothes, keeping down the clutter.