As a mom of three, I’ve met a ton of other parents, each with their own approach to raising kids. Some are stricter than my methods (which my kids would argue is me), while others take a more laid-back attitude. We all have our quirks—some of us enjoy a drink or a good curse word while others keep things squeaky clean. But there are two things we can all agree on: we don’t want to raise little jerks, and it’s incredibly tough not to.
We teach, we guide, and we demonstrate better behavior, only for our kids to flip around and misbehave again. Let’s be real; kids aren’t programmed robots. They’re born with a strong desire to get what they want, when they want it. Every single day, parents are on a mission to minimize the jerkiness in their children, but some days come with their own set of challenges:
You rocked it yesterday, but today you’re running on fumes.
There are days when I’m the ultimate mom. I’m fully present, I bake cookies, craft masterpieces, and even engage in a riveting game of Risk—only to be trampled by my 9-year-old. Then comes today, when I’m completely wiped out. So when my son decides to ask Siri if she needs to use the bathroom, I might conveniently ignore him while I scroll through my friend’s wild Tinder stories over a glass of wine. Let’s face it, nobody is “on” all the time—including you.
You can’t watch their every move.
No matter how many times I say I have eyes in the back of my head, I really don’t. I can’t catch every tiny misstep, and sometimes when another adult steps in to address my kid’s behavior, it has a surprising impact. I’m not advocating for neglect, but sometimes a little outside intervention can work wonders. Those witnessing my child’s antics might not even see them as little jerks.
You give in to survive the day.
I know perfect parents exist, but I’m definitely not one of them. There are moments when I’ll buy that stuffed animal or that giant ice cream just to keep my sanity intact. Occasionally, they don’t deserve it, but the thought of facing the alternative is enough to make me cave. We all do what we must to keep ourselves afloat, even if it means strolling through Target with a bear bigger than me while they enjoy a sugary treat and I desperately try to finish my shopping without breaking down.
They face temptations everywhere.
Kids are curious creatures. They see Tommy acting like a jerk and think it looks like so much fun. Or perhaps they’re seeking your attention and decide that rubbing your makeup all over themselves is a great idea. With so many distractions around them, it’s hard for kids to grasp the concept of self-control. They’re focused on the excitement of the moment, not the aftermath. Pure jerk behavior.
You’re under the weather.
Trying to be a mom while feeling sick is the worst. The kids know they can get away with making a mess because you’re too exhausted to intervene. When you finally start feeling better, punishing them doesn’t even seem worth it. You just want to take them out for a treat because you feel guilty for not being your usual self for a day or two.
They’re having a tough day.
We all have crummy days, and kids are no exception. There are moments when I’d rather procrastinate on chores than tackle them right away. Adults can blow off steam without judgment, but if kids tried to do the same, they’d be labeled as little jerks.
Every child has their moments, and every parent is striving to do their best. So the next time you see a kid causing a ruckus, remember that their parents are likely doing their utmost—and maybe they’re just a little tired today. But hey, at least it’s not your little jerk making the scene this time!
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In summary, parenting is a tough gig, and we’re all just trying to avoid raising little jerks while navigating the ups and downs of daily life.