You know that mom with ‘That Kid’? It’s easy to sit back and wonder what her deal is. Why can’t she get it together? How tough can it be to have a six-year-old write down ten spelling words each week? There are, like, a million Pinterest boards dedicated to adorable ways to keep track of eyeglasses so they don’t vanish at night. Surely, there’s a way to organize books so they don’t get lost forever. Other moms seem to be nailing this; what’s wrong with me?
I get it; I used to be that mom. Back when my oldest son, Jake, was in kindergarten, we stressed over every single homework assignment. We spent hours on his science projects and reading logs. I had everything planned out—signed paperwork, outfits laid out for the next day, and library books right by the door. All this while managing his baby sister and dealing with a surprise pregnancy. We were under a ton of stress, but I thought I was doing it right.
Then life threw us a curveball. On Jake’s first day of first grade, his little brother was born twelve weeks early. Suddenly, homework and projects weren’t the priority anymore. Our family had to go into survival mode. How do you juggle a tiny infant, a toddler, and a six-year-old? How do you function on zero sleep while balancing life at home and the NICU?
Things didn’t improve; in fact, they got tougher. My home became the hub for nursing care, medical deliveries, and constant alarms. Homework? That seemed trivial compared to the daily challenges we faced.
Fast forward a few years, and the storm has passed. Our once fragile baby has grown into a healthy, fun-loving little boy. Now, he’s in first grade and has homework packets of his own. Sure, I could be more on top of things, but I’ve spent so long focusing on the bigger picture. I understand the purpose of homework and the lessons it aims to teach, but the urgency? It feels a bit overblown to me.
As a grown woman, I want to show my kids that you can recognize the importance of homework while also prioritizing your own mental health. I know I might come off as the laid-back mom who doesn’t care, but honestly, I’m okay with that.
I’m learning how to balance what’s expected with what really matters, and that it’s perfectly fine to say no sometimes. Yes, my kids need to learn responsibility and respect for others’ property, but they also need to know that it’s okay to take a breather. After a long day of school, it’s perfectly reasonable to unwind with some video games before tackling a spelling list.
I know some might disagree, but I stand firm. There are things worth stressing over, and first-grade homework isn’t one of them. If that makes me the mom of ‘That Kid,’ then I wear that badge with pride.
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In summary, parenting is all about finding balance. It’s okay to embrace the chaos and prioritize what truly matters, even if it means being ‘that mom’ whose kid doesn’t always have his homework done.