We All Struggle with Parenting. Seriously, Every Single One of Us.

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“I’m a dreadful parent,” you might admit, “No, really. I’m the worst!” You recount how you lost your cool with your little one this morning when all he wanted was a simple cup of juice with his breakfast. That’s it—just a drink. Yet, in a moment of frustration, you barked, “Is there anything else you need? Speak now or be thirsty!” Because you had just spent ten exhausting minutes catering to tiny culinary requests, and then here comes your child, asking for yet another thing, and it makes you want to pull your hair out. Oh, and let’s not forget about the dog, who has taken a liking to your coffee.

The typical response to such a confession would be, “Oh no, you’re not a bad parent!” delivered with a soothing, shocked tone.

But let’s be real. We all mess up.

Or maybe it’s the dreaded 3 p.m. meltdown hour. The kids are bickering, hitting each other, hitting you, and even taking swings at the dog, all while screeching like banshees. So, what do you do? You fish out the remote from the couch cushions, turn on A Bug’s Life, and collapse onto the couch with your phone. When that ends, you switch to Dinotrux on repeat, all while mentally preparing dinner.

When you share this with me, I’m supposed to empathize and follow up with my own horror story about how I let my kids watch The Godfather while I took a breather on the porch. Only that can make you feel better about your guilt.

Here’s the Truth

We all struggle as parents. At some point, we’ve all been there. We’ve run out of coffee. We’ve survived marathon shopping trips only to face a checkout line with cranky kids. We’ve mediated toy disputes to the point where we consider donating everything to Goodwill and embracing the serenity of an empty playroom. We’ve watched our kids throw sand at the park, wear shoes on the wrong feet, or even opt-out of pants entirely.

Philip Larkin once wrote, “They mess you up, your mom and dad / They may not mean to, but they do / They fill you with the faults they had / And add some extras, just for you.” Essentially, we’re all fumbling our way through this. To think otherwise is to buy into a Pinterest-perfect fantasy. So let’s throw our hands up and accept that we’re all imperfect. We all drop the ball sometimes and need to release the guilt.

The Reality of Parenting

I often see Facebook ads for positive parenting webinars, and while I believe in the concept, it doesn’t prevent me from losing it and yelling at my kids to clean up that block tower, or else. I’ve been tidying up all day only to have a massive ziggurat of blocks appear out of nowhere, waiting to fall and create an even bigger mess. This is a well-known reality for every parent, which is why we sometimes raise our voices.

We all rely on the TV as a parenting crutch. Our kids might watch more than they should, and often it’s not even worth it. Ninjago again? Really?

We don’t read to our kids as much as we ought to. After all, how many times can you endure reading the same bland children’s book before your brain starts leaking out of your ears?

We all sneakily dispose of gifts from grandparents. Who really has room for a giant Paw Patrol plane? Seriously, are we supposed to store that in the master bedroom?

We yell because we need the kids to do something, and yet they seem to have the listening skills of a potted plant. We yell out of frustration, because we’re exhausted, and yes, because they’re yelling too.

We feed them junk food—candy, cookies, gluten—because sometimes it’s just easier.

And let’s not forget all the things we forget—lunches, diapers, wipes, permission slips, socks, and even our sanity. It’s a lot to keep track of, and the smile we’re supposed to wear? It’s hard to maintain.

Let’s Cut Out the Guilt

The reality is that we all struggle with parenting. Some days might be filled with Pinterest crafts and healthy lunches, but most of the time, we’re just trying to get out the door with shoes on. On a good day, we might manage to apply a little mascara and look somewhat alive.

So, let’s cut out the guilt. Stop judging that mom in Walmart with her cart full of screaming kids. She probably forgot her coffee too, and her kids want Matchbox cars when she’s not buying them because they refuse to pick up the ones they already have. Instead of glaring, give her a fist-bump. She’s in the same boat as you.

For more insights on parenting and navigating these challenges, check out our other blog posts, like this one on home insemination, which can also provide valuable information. And if you’re looking for expert advice, Make A Mom is a great resource for all things related to home insemination. For further guidance on pregnancy, Healthline offers excellent information as well.

Summary

Parenting is a universal struggle, filled with moments of frustration, guilt, and the occasional chaos. We all have challenging days, whether it’s dealing with tantrums, relying on screens for a little peace, or simply forgetting the essentials. It’s okay to admit that we all have our flaws, and rather than judge each other, we should support one another in this wild journey of parenthood.