10 Ways I Adjusted My Parenting Expectations During Pregnancy

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If there’s one thing I’ve discovered, it’s that parenting while pregnant is a unique challenge. It’s nearly impossible to be at your best when you’re nurturing a tiny human who seems to drain your energy 24/7. While I’ve never claimed to be the perfect parent, this pregnancy has led me to embrace a whole new level of leniency. I can’t say I’m ashamed; I’m simply operating in survival mode.

Here are my candid confessions of pregnancy parenting:

1. I allowed my son to munch on a burrito from Taco Bell while engrossed in his iPad, nestled comfortably in his bed. When I spotted bits of beef on his sheets the next day, I merely brushed them off without a second thought about laundry. Yes, I know this raises eyebrows, but I just can’t muster the energy to care.

2. I let my son use a cup to pee in and then dump it in the toilet. It buys me an extra 30 seconds of rest and makes him feel like a big kid. Potty training has never been so creatively executed.

3. I’ve resorted to telling my son that everything is closed so we can avoid leaving the house. Parks, ice cream shops, you name it—if it requires a trip, it’s closed! Except for my beloved taco joint, which somehow remains open for business. Funny how that works.

4. Any toy that requires significant cleanup is swiftly hidden or tossed out. This includes any item with small pieces that could pose a tripping hazard. I simply don’t have the energy to deal with that mess right now.

5. I’ve told little white lies about his friends being busy, allowing me to dodge playdates. I’m all for him visiting others, but hosting? No thank you. I can already picture the chaos of snacks, toy explosions, and surprise bathroom emergencies.

6. After reading an email from my son’s teacher about his behavior, I did nothing for a week. Instead of my usual panic mode, I tossed the email into the trash, hoping the situation would resolve itself. After all, it’s a school matter, not mine—at least for now.

7. When I noticed my son had wet his pants, I suggested he just let it dry instead of changing him. He didn’t have any clean underwear (my oversight), and I lacked the energy to search for replacements. Oops!

8. After a long day of swimming and slathering on sunscreen, I declared that a bath wasn’t necessary. And guess what? I didn’t change the sheets the next day either. Who knows what might be thriving on those!

9. Instead of making a trip for toilet paper, I resorted to tearing paper towels into tiny squares for bathroom use. This madehift solution lasted two days. I figured it was better than nothing, right?

10. I’ve creatively convinced my son that doing chores will help him grow—maybe even turn him into a dinosaur! Statements like, “Helping Mommy will make you taller” keep him motivated to lend a hand, even if it’s just fetching me a snack.

I know my parenting choices during this pregnancy may be questionable, but I’ve embraced my laid-back style for the time being. My son may be in for a surprise when the strict, organic-eating, limited-screen-time mom returns—or maybe that version of me has vanished forever. Who can be rigid with two kids? For now, I’m just hoping my parenting tactics don’t require years of therapy down the line.

If you’re interested in more about navigating pregnancy and parenting, check out this insightful blog post for additional tips. For anyone considering home insemination, Make a Mom offers great resources. Also, for support during this journey, Drugs.com is an excellent place to find information about pregnancy and home insemination.

Summary:

Pregnancy can significantly shift your parenting approach, leading to compromises you may never have considered before. From allowing unconventional bathroom habits to avoiding playdates, these ten confessions highlight the lengths a parent might go to while navigating the challenges of pregnancy.