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Are You a Difficult Parent?
Let me share a little story. My nine-year-old kiddo recently broke his ankle during a basketball playoff game. Not exactly a heroic tale—he just tripped while running down the court, and that was that. This Friday, he’s finally getting that bright orange cast removed, and I can guarantee he’ll be telling everyone about it—friends, strangers, even the high school student working at the cookie shop. It’s an understatement to say he’s thrilled to ditch that Sunkist accessory. I have to give him credit, though; he’s been a trooper throughout this whole ordeal—always smiling and never complaining.
To understand why this is such a significant moment, I should probably reflect a bit on our past. This kid was a handful as a toddler. He had a knack for throwing tantrums over the tiniest things—like the tag in his shirt being itchy or the bagel I toasted being “too crunchy.” You get the idea. I spent countless hours trying to “fix” his behavior and, let’s be honest, pouring myself a glass of wine afterward!
Now, if only I had thought of starting an Instagram account to share these parenting struggles with other folks, we might’ve had a good laugh. Well, Kristen Howerton, a mom of four, actually did just that! She created an Instagram account where parents could share pictures of their kids mid-tantrum with the hashtag #difficultparent. Turns out, I’m not alone in this. There’s a whole community out there of parents who can relate to that chaos.
As Howerton shared in an interview, “Despite our best efforts, children are often disappointed, and I’m hoping it can be a humorous reminder that we’re all in this together.” If you recognize that quote, you might just be my kind of person! Just a heads up though—before you hit “send” on that post about your kid’s meltdown, remember that every moment of weakness could end up going viral. While many kids grow out of their difficult phases, the label of a challenging parent can stick around.
If you’re interested in more relatable parenting tales, check out this other blog post on our site. Also, for those navigating the journey of pregnancy and home insemination, you can find valuable info at Women’s Health, and don’t forget to explore fertility supplements at Make a Mom.
In summary, parenting can be quite the adventure, filled with ups and downs. Just know you’re not alone, and there’s a whole world of other parents ready to share in the laughs and struggles.