It’s Alright to Enjoy Wine Under the Covers

home insemination Kit

My little one is across the table, playfully spitting out her food at me. She pokes her finger into a cucumber slice, watching with glee as it crumbles and falls to the floor. When I remind her about good table manners, she stands up, jumps on her chair, and bursts into laughter.

I’m definitely not laughing with her. In fact, I can’t shake the feeling that she’s finding humor in my exasperation.

Today has been one of those days. I glance at the wine rack and notice it’s completely bare. If we hurry, we can make it to the wine store before it shuts. In no time, I have my daughter buckled into her car seat, and we’re off.

As we pull into the parking lot, I let out a sigh of relief. The cool air that greets us as we step inside the store feels refreshing. Rows of enticing wines catch my eye, but I head straight to the rosé section and grab four bottles of my go-to brand. Suddenly, I feel a sharp nip on my leg and look down to find my daughter biting me.

“Why are you biting me?” I ask, and she responds with what sounds like a maniacal giggle. Again, I get the impression she’s laughing at my expense.

I pull away just as she lunges for another bite and hastily make my way to the register, bottles clutched in my arms. She follows closely behind, teeth bared.

After paying, I take her hand, and we step back into the sweltering parking lot. She finally loosens her grip on my leg, only to plop down on the hot asphalt. I scoop her up and wrestle her back into her car seat as she whines about the heat and her dirty dress.

“Of course it’s dirty,” I remind her. “You just sat in the middle of a parking lot!”

Her face crumples, and soon enough, she’s in tears. I find myself fighting back tears too.

On days like this, I can’t help but feel like a complete failure as a mom. I have no clue how to stop her from biting, or laughing at me, or sitting down in random parking lots.

If only there were a guide to motherhood—complete with tips on getting toddlers to eat, getting babies to sleep, and surviving the terrible twos! I’ve spent countless hours online searching for advice, only to discover that what works for others doesn’t work for my daughter.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize: I’m not the only mom feeling overwhelmed by a spirited 2-year-old. There are others out there struggling too—moms dealing with kids who hit, or who will only eat food if it’s dipped in ketchup, or who just can’t seem to manage their emotions.

After the biting incident at the wine store, I swallowed my pride and started texting my friends. I vented about feeling like a failure and my struggle to help my daughter manage her feelings. I was embarrassed by her antics in the store and worried about how to help her feel more secure. I laid it all bare in my messages.

The collective wisdom I received from my friends was reassuring: I’m not failing, my daughter isn’t misbehaving; we both were just having a rough day.

After putting my daughter to bed early, I poured myself a generous glass of wine and crawled under the covers. It was the only way to wrap up a day like that.

There may not be a manual for parenthood, but there are other parents out there who remind you that you’re not alone. So, moms, on those days when you feel utterly drained and your toddler is clinging to your leg, reach out to a friend. Head to a park, grab a coffee at Starbucks, or join a music class, and seek out another mom with that familiar, exhausted expression. You may not find someone who had a worse day, but you can be sure someone else can relate to your struggles.

Motherhood isn’t always filled with joy and laughter. Sometimes it calls for a glass of wine and some time under the covers—and that’s perfectly okay to admit.