I once believed that misbehaving kids or those who exhibited rudeness were a reflection of poor parenting. I thought surely those parents must be doing something wrong. If only I could travel back in time and set my past self straight! Now, I understand that children are just being kids, and their parents often share the same bewilderment at their antics.
- Tantrums. What was I thinking, imagining parents could magically prevent a toddler from throwing a fit? It’s like trying to halt a freight train—an out-of-control, shrieking train. You can attempt to soothe it with calm words, but good luck with that.
- Whining. I can’t count how many times I’ve told my kids, “I can’t understand you when you whine”—probably somewhere around 5 million! Kids whine not because it gets them what they want, but because they enjoy the sound of their own voices (thanks, Caillou!).
- Ignoring Others. Two of my kids are champions at ignoring people when spoken to. One thinks she’s responding in her head, while the other is simply a master of the Marshawn Lynch approach—no comment unless he feels like it. Shyness is a tricky beast.
- Sleep Resistance. Our youngest can spend up to two and a half hours in bed without falling asleep—no exaggeration! He’ll chat, sing, and even announce he’s awake. No amount of exhausting activities or calming bedtime routines seems to help. The kid’s a night owl through and through.
- Volume Issues. Some kids just don’t have a notion of volume control. Their voices can be piercing, even when they’re whispering. There’s not much you can do except perhaps consider a muzzle, which isn’t exactly practical.
- Little White Lies. One of my children is a truth-teller by nature, while the others have gone through the typical fibbing stage. I was stunned the first time one of them lied to me. They say it’s a sign of intelligence—let’s go with that rather than thinking my child is destined to be a sociopath.
- Nose-Picking. It seems like every child I know has a phase of nose-picking. It’s a daily battle that can last for years. I’ve seen kids just sit there with fingers up their noses, completely oblivious. Gross!
- Handwashing Neglect. Despite instilling the importance of washing hands after bathroom use since potty training, it took several years for my kids to remember consistently. I can now proudly add “expert hand-smeller” to my resume.
- Chewing with Their Mouths Open. “Please chew with your mouth closed,” I say, only to be met with relentless chomping. It’s like I’m speaking into a void, and their chewing seems to drown out my words. How can something so simple be so difficult?
- Other Unpleasant Habits. Recently, I found my child’s dirty socks on a friend’s kitchen counter. Not the youngest, but an older child who really should know better! The same kid even managed to lick his way through Disney World, making me cringe at the thought of germs. So many gross things pop up daily!
Do we teach our kids these habits? Not intentionally. Do they pick them up from other sources? Possibly. Do we try our best to educate them otherwise? Absolutely. But clearly, it takes at least 18 years to raise well-mannered, socially adept individuals. Fingers crossed for the future!
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In summary, parenting is full of surprises, and many behaviors I once attributed to poor parenting are simply normal child antics. Every day is a learning experience, and it’s clear that raising children is a long journey filled with ups and downs.