Moms, It’s Time to Toss It in the “Forget-It” Bucket and Move On

home insemination Kit

Yesterday, as the clock ticked toward 5 p.m., I found myself racing against a deadline for work. My three-and-a-half-year-old, Lily, was in full-on diva mode. Meanwhile, our dogs were conducting a symphony of chaos, and our house looked like a tornado had swept through. I could practically hear dramatic Western music playing in my head as I navigated the living room, dodging tumbleweeds of fur. The underpants I had washed and neatly folded three days ago? Now they were strewn across the floor like confetti. And let’s not even discuss the mountain of half-finished coffee mugs taking over the kitchen.

When my partner finally came home, he whisked the dogs outside for a walk, gifting me a rare moment of peace to finish my work. As I wrapped up, I decided to indulge in something I rarely do: take a hot bath. I concocted a bubble bath using dish soap—because, of course, we were out of real bubble bath—and was just about to step in when Lily burst in, back from what felt like the world’s quickest dog walk.

“Mom, are you taking a bath?”
“Yep!”
She glanced at my wine glass and asked, “Are you having wine?”
“Sure am.”
She smiled and asked, “Do you want one of my bath toys?”

I cracked up. As much as I cherish my alone time, how could I be annoyed at my tiny human offering me her toys? So, she plopped down beside the tub and played with her toys while I sipped my wine and tried to wash away the day’s stress.

Some days are just tougher than others. Yesterday, working in my pajamas with unbrushed teeth at 5 p.m., I surveyed my chaotic home and thought, “Forget it. Just toss it in the bucket.” My partner once said that no one can do it all, and he’s spot on. Sometimes, you don’t even need to tackle half of it.

• Laundry? It gets done only when I’m down to my last pair of jeans or decent underwear. Forget it.
• Cleaning? My partner often sings, “Nothing cleans like company!” because that’s the only time we scrub our home thoroughly. Forget it.
• Lily is still in her phase of being terrified of everyone except us. She hisses at strangers and covers her eyes if someone dares to glance her way. I’ve given up on excuses and apologies—I probably look like I’m raising a tiny tyrant. Forget it. And I’m sure some moms reading this think I’m raising a total brat. Forget it.
• Our dog, Max, is turning our backyard into a Swiss cheese landscape with her digging. Forget it.
• I’ve managed to kill every plant in our house—if you aren’t a toddler demanding snacks or a dog nudging me at mealtimes, your survival isn’t my responsibility. Forget it.
• I watched four bananas slowly rot on my counter and didn’t even make banana bread. Forget it.
• We’re working on getting Lily to sleep in her own bed, but I’ve crawled out of her room more times than I’d like to admit. Forget it.
• I owe a mountain of emails and texts to friends and family, and I can’t even figure out where to start. Forget it.
• I feel like I’m juggling fifty balls and only managing to catch a handful—most of them just land on my head. Forget it.

And let’s be real: I know there’ll be someone reading this thinking, “You think that’s tough? Try dealing with…” CHUCK YOU!

Here’s the truth: while we’re all navigating this wild ride together, we’re also doing it solo. So decide what you want to toss in your own “forget-it” bucket. It’s yours, and you can fill it however you wish! That’s the beauty of it.

You might care about a spotless home more than I do (to be honest, I think everyone cares more than I do). But as long as you’re not living in a health hazard, you’re winning in my book! Each of us has different priorities, and that’s perfectly okay. Just remember to keep your focus on your own priorities—what matters to others might not matter to you, so don’t let their lists dictate yours.

And while you’re at it, consider tossing all those “How to…” articles into your bucket too. Instead, start a conversation in your head that begins with “How I…”

For more insights and stories, check out our other blog posts, including this one on home insemination methods. If you’re on a journey to parenthood, you might find helpful information from sources like Make A Mom and NICHD.

In summary, embrace the chaos, prioritize what really matters to you, and don’t be afraid to toss the rest into your own “forget-it” bucket. After all, you’re doing your best, and that’s what counts!