Hey there, fellow moms! Today, I caught my little one, Max, having a little too much fun in the toilet. Yes, there was pee involved. I quickly scooped him up, gave his hands a good wash, and we moved on with our evening.
Just ten minutes later, I found Max munching on dirt from one of our houseplants. So, I scooped him up again and carried on with our night.
Now, I know some people might think, “Gross! Give that kid a bath!” or “Why weren’t you watching him?” To that, I say, “Please.”
Honestly, I’ve spent most of my parenting days just scraping by. For instance, when one of them falls (or plays in toilet water, apparently), I don’t lose it. I don’t do Pinterest crafts, I don’t buy organic, and labels on my kids’ shampoo bottles? Yeah, those get ignored. At mealtime, I’m asking my kids what they want while frantically pulling frozen meals out of the freezer. Thank goodness for microwaves!
On school days, I’m rummaging through their backpacks for homework just seconds before the bus arrives, all while trying to keep the baby from eating dog food.
If you were to pop in unannounced, you’d find piles of clean laundry taking over the couch, snacks scattered across the kitchen counter (and probably hiding in the cushions), and homework papers everywhere—like a tornado hit the living room. And don’t even get me started on the dirty socks in the hallway and the mystery of toothpaste stuck to the bathroom wall. Toys? Yeah, they’re just EVERYWHERE.
Let’s be real: kids are messy. They’re sticky, stinky little creatures. No matter how well I try to keep everything in order, they just seem to get grubbier and grubbier. That whole toilet and dirt-snacking incident is just a tiny blip on a much larger, colorful canvas of chaos.
Some parents have everything together, and to them, I say, “Good for you!” Because this? This is my version of having it together. Despite my laid-back approach, my family is genuinely happy and, dare I say, “normal” (whatever that means). My kids laugh a lot, and our home isn’t perfect—it’s a place where memories (and messes) are made. I see real joy in them that can’t be faked.
They might be a bit scruffy, but they’re always dressed and their hair is combed. I don’t let them live on junk food alone, and I make sure their homework gets done. Most importantly, they know the value of respect and standing up for what they believe in. So, life isn’t just one big hot mess.
I admit, I work best under pressure and procrastination. It’s just how I roll. But if kids are reflections of their parents and surroundings, mine are going to grow up filled with love and a sense of humor. And while our life could easily be an episode of a sitcom, I’m okay with that. We’re not aiming for perfection; we’re just getting through each day like everyone else.
If I never do anything else right in my life, I know one thing for sure: I’ve loved these kiddos with everything I’ve got. Nothing can replace that.
So here’s to all you moms and dads out there just scraping by, like me. I’m raising a toast to you! You’ve got my support and zero judgment. Love those little ones, and they’ll love you back. Nothing feels as wonderful as that—not even a spotless house.
And just to clarify, Max did get a bath that night. We’re not animals, after all!
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Summary
This article captures the everyday chaos and authenticity of parenting, embracing the messy moments while highlighting the importance of love and happiness in a family. It’s a friendly reminder that perfection isn’t the goal—just getting through the day is enough.