The other day, I found myself at the dentist with my three kids, each in varying degrees of dental discomfort. My eldest was undergoing a cleaning, my middle child was getting x-rays, and my youngest was being poked with a rather intimidating tool that was supposed to check his teeth. They all wore stylish shades to protect their eyes from the bright overhead lights and were glued to an episode of Scooby-Doo. Even with the enticing Cotton Candy-flavored toothpaste—oh, the irony!—we all agreed that visiting the dentist is a total drag.
This experience got me curious about what else my kids despise. While I wasn’t surprised by their preferences, I was astonished to discover that the things they loathe are often among my personal favorites.
1. Brushing Teeth
Coming straight from the dentist, it was no shock that they weren’t fans of brushing their teeth. But come on, little ones! Tooth brushing isn’t a chore; it’s a delight! I am so thankful for toothpaste. I can’t fathom how anyone could skip brushing their teeth. Don’t they feel the sugary residue left behind or at least notice the morning breath? Seriously.
2. Taking Showers
Every night (well, most nights), my kids are supposed to shower or bathe, and you’d think I was dragging them to a torture chamber. They bicker over who goes first and whine to postpone it. Washing hair? It’s a mix between an inconvenience and a full-blown meltdown. I just don’t understand it! Honestly, if it weren’t for them banging on the door because they’re hungry or tired of tossing toys at each other, I could happily stay in the shower forever.
3. Reading Books
How can they not love this? Once I manage to get them to sit down with a book or read to them, they usually get engaged. But getting them there? Oh, the drama! You’d think asking them to put down their games and pick up a book was akin to sentencing them to hard labor. C’mon, kids, embrace the magic of imagination and exploration—read, read, read!
4. Going to Sleep
“But Mooooom, there’s no school tomorrow! Can we please stay up soooo late?” This is a common plea while I’m fighting sleep myself. “We’re not tired!” they chant, and I think, are you kidding? You’re up at dawn, bouncing around like caffeinated ferrets! Don’t they realize that the longer they stay up, the crankier I become? Plus, we spent a pretty penny on those cozy Pottery Barn beds—get in them!
5. Eating Vegetables
According to my kids, anything green is just plain gross. Except for M&Ms or those sugary marshmallows from Lucky Charms—definitely not that I buy those! It’s a Herculean task to get them to take a single bite of broccoli, even when they can dip it in ranch, hummus, or cheese. For me, green foods make up half my diet. I love salads, broccoli, spinach, and sugar snap peas! Yeah, I’ll keep the rest of my diet a secret.
Looking back over this list, I realize that all five items are simple aspects of daily life. They hate them; I adore them. The main difference? Age. So I suppose I might be a tad old, a bit uptight, and possibly boring. At least we all agree on one thing: the dentist visit is universally disliked.
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this great resource. And for those looking to learn more about the process, consider visiting Make a Mom for expert insights. Also, don’t miss this post for additional information on home insemination kits.
Summary
In this lighthearted reflection, Laura Thompson shares five everyday activities her children absolutely detest, from brushing teeth to eating vegetables. Despite their resistance, these are all essential parts of life that she enjoys. Ultimately, the divide between parent and child boils down to age and perspective, highlighting the amusing differences in their views on daily routines.