As a parent, I often find myself running on fumes. Between juggling time, energy, and finances, it feels like I’m constantly shelling out for summer camps, dental visits, and the inevitable lost library books. And let’s not even get started on sleep—it’s become a luxury I can hardly afford.
There’s simply never enough time, energy, or sleep to go around. The same goes for the energy we expend on things that don’t truly matter. As parents, our kids consume a significant portion of our emotional bandwidth, which means we need to be discerning about where we direct our remaining energy. If we waste it on trivial concerns, we risk ending up overwhelmed—possibly sobbing in a store bathroom on a random Tuesday (or maybe that’s just me).
Every so often, it’s crucial to reassess what truly matters and let go of the things that don’t. Here are 20 things I’ve decided to stop caring about:
- My kid devouring three baby carrots and then claiming he’s ‘full.’ After spending what felt like an eternity crafting a gourmet meal of dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets (because, of course), I refuse to stress over my child’s dietary whims.
- My child asking for a snack a mere 90 seconds after dinner because he’s ‘starving.’ How about a fourth carrot, buddy?
- Social media snapshots. Sure, your kids look adorable in that picture, but I know the chaos that likely preceded it—tears, tantrums, and the mad dash for a glass of wine. Still, I’ll double-tap that photo.
- Any form of nonsense. I usually try to see the silver lining and let things slide, but sometimes you just need to say, “Forget this!” Life is short, and I refuse to waste it on nonsense.
- Excessive screen time. Yes, I know I should limit it, but sometimes my sanity relies on letting my kids binge-watch their favorite shows.
- Always being nice. There’s a difference between being nice and being kind. At times, you have to let your frank side shine through because let’s face it, that’s how things get done.
- What my kids wear. If they manage to dress themselves in something halfway decent, I consider it a win. I’d much rather save my energy for nightly tooth-brushing battles.
- What I wear. One day I might be in trendy jeans and heels, and the next I’m rocking sweats and a baseball cap. Most days, I’m just trying to survive in stretchy pants.
- FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). As parents, we miss out on a lot, and that’s just part of the deal. Plus, who am I kidding? Most of my friends are probably asleep by 10 PM on a Saturday night.
- Cellulite and wrinkles. I’ve embraced my body, imperfections and all. That’s just life!
- A picture-perfect home. With kids and pets, my motto is “This is why we can’t have nice things.”
- Trends. I’m not one to keep up with what’s “in.” In fact, I recently had to look up what “bae” means. But hey, I do know what IDGAF stands for!
- Canceling plans with friends. Sometimes, all you need is a cozy night in with your favorite pajamas.
- Leaving my kids for a night out. Every once in a while, a night out dancing is just what the doctor ordered.
- Over-scheduling my kids. A little boredom can spark creativity. Didn’t someone famous say that? I’m sure they did.
- The to-do list. Sometimes, you just need to throw it all away, take a nap, and enjoy some cookies instead.
- Parenting philosophies. Opinions on parenting are plentiful, but let’s be real—everyone has one, and they can be just as irritating as that last slice of pizza that no one wants to finish.
- Comparing myself to others. I’ve spent too much time worrying about how I stack up against others. The truth is, nobody is perfect, and the idea of perfection is a myth.
- Worrying if my kids are top-tier students or athletes. I’d rather focus on raising kind-hearted individuals, even if it means they’re just average in other areas. Kindness is its own form of greatness.
- Having everything figured out. I used to think adults had all the answers, but then I realized we’re all just figuring it out as we go along.
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In summary, it’s essential to prioritize what really matters in life and let go of the rest. Embrace the chaos, and remember, perfection is overrated!