I’m on a mission to raise decent human beings. I teach my kids the importance of politeness: holding doors for others, picking up items someone has dropped, making eye contact when someone’s talking, and always saying “please” and “thank you.” I want them to leave the dinner table clean, and I remind them that nobody wants to clean up after them. I try to model these behaviors, but as they grow older, it’s becoming harder to hide my little contradictions. Here’s a peek into my not-so-perfect parenting moments.
1. Cookie Dough is Off-Limits
I tell my kids to avoid raw cookie dough because of the risk of salmonella from the raw eggs. The reality? I want that sweet dough all to myself. I need enough cookies for the week, and I can’t have them devouring the dough before I get my chance to enjoy it.
2. Emphasizing Honesty
I constantly preach the importance of honesty. However, when we’re at the doctor’s office and the pediatrician asks how many hours of TV they watch, I prefer they don’t speak up. Let’s just say I’m an expert in selective truth-telling—especially when it comes to avoiding awkward conversations with the organic mom down the street.
3. Watch Your Language
I know I shouldn’t swear, but sometimes it just slips out. Like that time we stayed at a less-than-ideal motel during a storm, and I exclaimed, “Get me out of this dump!” when faced with an unexpected adult film on the TV. Of course, I told them to never repeat it, but you can imagine how well that went over for the rest of the trip.
4. Screen Time Restrictions
I often remind my kids how bad excessive screen time is, yet I sometimes let them zone out on devices during long car rides just to maintain peace. Sure, I’ll tell them to play outside, but when the Pinterest scroll is calling my name, those rules tend to bend a bit.
5. Manners Matter
I constantly remind my kids to use good manners, yet they’ve caught me indulging in a late-night snack over the sink like a ravenous animal. I can’t help but cringe when they slurp from the faucet or chew with their mouths open, but I’m only human, right?
6. Presentable Appearance
I tell my kids to look their best when we go out in public, but here I am in my sweaty workout clothes, writing this piece. I encourage them to be clean and tidy, but who can resist the comfort of active wear after a good run?
So, will I change my ways to set a better example? Probably not. I like to think of it as practicing the classic advice: “Do as I say, not as I do.”
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In summary, I may not always practice what I preach, but I try to navigate the challenges of motherhood while keeping things light. After all, who doesn’t have their moments of hypocrisy?