A Quick Rundown of What My Kids Have Obliterated

Before I embraced the chaos of parenthood, I would visit the homes of friends and family with children and marvel at the level of mayhem. Even the tidiest houses bore the scars of little ones—broken couch springs, cabinet doors hung askew, and dining tables with fork marks that told tales of toddler feasts. I figured the parents I knew were just “laid-back” or had particularly rowdy children.

Then I had my own kids, and boy, was I in for a wake-up call! It turns out you don’t need to be a laissez-faire parent or have wild children for your belongings to meet their untimely demise. Kids have a special talent for wrecking things just by being their boisterous selves.

Their Toys

It’s not merely that our little ones have shattered their toys; they’ve rendered them utterly unusable for anyone else. From scribbling their backward-lettered names with permanent markers to giving dolls a “new look” complete with haircuts and “makeup” (seriously, how do they always find a Sharpie?), and don’t get me started on the missing pieces! Since our oldest hit the age of two, we haven’t been able to pass down a single toy outside the family.

Our Walls

With three kids in the house, we’ve only had one aspiring wall artist—a decent ratio, if I say so myself. But they’ve all taken to being wall smudgers. Have you ever taken a good look at your walls? Don’t do it. You might regret it. Between the booger smudges and mysterious stains I refuse to believe aren’t chocolate, I occasionally discover footprints on the walls. Footprints! Are my kids secretly part of some superhero league? I think not. Yet, there they are.

My Definition of “Clean”

Speaking of grimy walls, my standards for cleanliness have taken quite a hit since becoming a parent. The house? I gave up on battling handprints on the glass ages ago, and dust? What’s that? It barely registers on my radar anymore. And the kids? If you don’t smell, don’t look visibly dirty, and think you’ve bathed this week, you’re good to go!

My Patience

People often claim that parenthood is a lesson in patience, but I suspect they’re consuming something a bit odd. I was far more patient before the kids arrived. Maybe it’s just that my endurance is tested on a daily basis, or perhaps it’s the constant barrage of “Mama, Mama, Mama” that’s frayed my nerves. Either way, my patience is definitely stretched.

My Ability to Watch the News

First off, little ones don’t need to hear about today’s tragedies. Secondly, I can’t handle it. The news is filled with distressing stories that remind me how the world I brought my kids into seems to be spiraling. Why would I willingly subject myself to that?

My Illusions of Perfect Parenting

This one needs no explanation. Except maybe a hearty laugh!

My Heart

Oh, my heart. A mother’s heart swells and breaks daily—with love, joy, worry, and pain. I feel like I’m constantly on the verge of an emotional explosion. The love I have for my children stretches my heart to its limit, while their laughter and milestones fill me with joy. But the anxiety over their safety and my perceived shortcomings can rattle my heart like an earthquake. Watching them navigate hard lessons and heartbreak feels like a physical ache. It’s a wonder my heart still functions amidst all of this.

So yes, kids do tend to break things. But not everything needs to remain untouched. I’m grateful for the lessons learned and the way my heart has expanded. The walls? They can be washed. The toys? They were cherished. My patience? I’d like that back, but that’s more about me than them. And the news? Most of it is just noise anyway.

So go ahead, kids, unleash your inner wrecking balls! We’ll fix what needs fixing and embrace the beautiful chaos of parenthood. For more insights on the journey of parenthood and home insemination, check out our other blog posts at this link. And if you’re looking to boost your fertility, Make a Mom offers great resources. For more information on pregnancy, visit WHO.

Summary

The chaos of parenthood brings its own unique challenges, especially when it comes to the destruction of belongings. From toys to walls, and even our patience, kids have a knack for turning the ordinary into complete mayhem. However, the love, joy, and growth that come with parenting far outweigh the mess. Embracing the imperfections leads to a fuller, richer experience.