As I sip my second glass of wine, I must admit—my husband, Jake, sometimes lacks the appreciation for the role I play as a Stay-At-Home Mom. He’s a genuinely good guy, and I love him dearly, but there are moments when I could easily use my frying pan on him!
In our household, Jake has definitely claimed the title of the “fun parent.” Whenever the kids want to break a rule or engage in some chaotic fun, they know just who to turn to. When they need guidance, comfort, or someone to blame, they come running to me. So, without any drama, here are ten amusingly frustrating ways Jake makes me the less fun parent.
- “Just Go Ask Mom.” Seriously? You can’t take the heat and decline our child’s request to take a bath with the dog? I love being the bad cop—thanks for passing the buck!
- “Don’t Worry About What Your Mom Says!” This is hands down my biggest pet peeve. After a long day of managing our little crew, you come home and completely shake up the rules, making it hard for me to maintain any semblance of authority.
- Sugar Treats After the Lecture. You give the kids sweets right after I’ve lectured them on how sugar makes them wild. So, does this mean I can start pouring myself more wine? If so, this whole “special treat” situation after I said no might just become bearable.
- Bedtime Antics. There’s nothing quite like trying to wrangle a hyper four-year-old who just spent a good 20 minutes running around in the buff because Dad said it was “fine.”
- Every Grocery Store Trip = A Prize. If our kid gets a new toy every time we venture out, shouldn’t I get a reward too? Let’s be honest—shopping is more stressful for me, so I think I deserve chocolate, new shoes, and a well-deserved day off!
- Early Timeout Releases. When our little adventurer had a meltdown for trying to use a spatula as a dog-training tool, you let him off timeout early, allowing his latest project to resume. Thanks a lot!
- Saying Yes to Crazy Ideas. When the kids ask for something wild, like finger painting the entire refrigerator, it would be nice if you consulted me first. You didn’t set any limits, and now I’m left cleaning the colorful chaos—meanwhile, you’re nowhere in sight!
- Skipping Teeth Brushing. To dodge a bedtime battle, you let the kids skip brushing their teeth. Two words: tooth decay! I mean, they really should be brushing their teeth every night, especially after devouring all that sugar you just let them have.
- The Disappearing Act. When the baby’s diaper fills up, you suddenly vanish. It’s like you have a superpower—poof! Gone, just when I need a hand with the messy stuff.
- Advising on “Better” Parenting. Your suggestions for improving my SAHM role are much appreciated, especially when you ignore house rules, like leaving your clothes and wet towel just three feet from the hamper after your shower. How about I come to your office and offer some productivity tips?
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In summary, while Jake may be the fun parent, his carefree approach often leaves me playing the role of the authority figure. It’s a delicate balance, but we manage to keep our family dynamic lively—most days, anyway!