Why I Abandoned All That DIY Mom Madness

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I tied the knot just two months before Pinterest took the world by storm, right at the peak of barn wedding trends. I vividly recall my outrage upon discovering that there was a more efficient way to organize my wedding plans than the endless folders cluttering my browser bookmarks. Suddenly, there were s’mores bars, homemade jam favors, floating paper lantern send-offs, and an avalanche of mason jars everywhere. It was stunning, but also made my eye twitch.

As time passed, I found myself pinning thousands of ideas. I envisioned my dream home, complete with slide options instead of stairs, and enough dinner recipes to ensure I wouldn’t eat the same slow cooker meal twice during an entire presidential term. With baby fever hitting, my heart raced at the sight of all those perfectly decorated nurseries.

Then, I actually got pregnant. My imaginary baby board transformed into a reality, and I was determined to create a beautiful nursery for my little one. However, morning sickness had me glued to the floor next to the toilet (thanks to a Pinterest-approved cleaning solution made from organic vinegar). My dreams of a perfect nursery morphed as I battled nausea, and by my third trimester, I was barking orders at my husband to paint chevron stripes on the walls while I futilely attempted to crochet tiny stuffed animals.

The night before my induction, I found myself working late into the night, rearranging bookshelf displays instead of enjoying that last meal out with my husband. I even fretted over the Dr. Seuss quote I chose to hang on the wall, questioning if I made the right selection.

The following months are a blur—newborns are hard, and I might have blocked some of it out. But as my son grew, I returned to Pinterest, fueled by the desire to throw him the best first birthday party, even if he wouldn’t remember a thing. I wanted a party with a theme that had no theme, inspired by a picture of blurred city lights. My DIY ambitions saw me planning healthy snacks and coordinating decor, all while I felt like our mothers must have simply grabbed a few party supplies from a local store.

After staying up until the early hours sewing a birthday crown, I decided it was time to ditch the Pinterest trap. As a busy parent, why should I have to craft elaborate lunches or clean my house with fancy oils? Instead, I’d let my kid watch something on Netflix while I tossed on my yoga pants—because let’s be real, that shoebox of dried pasta and beans wasn’t happening.

When I met the other parents at preschool, I was quick to announce that my snack contribution would be a cheese stick and grapes, no cutting involved. And if I spotted a gluten-free fruit kabob shaped like Olaf, we’d have a problem.

For my son’s next birthday, we opted for an indoor play venue—think Chuck E. Cheese without the chaos. I went to bed early the night before and brought cupcakes from a box mix, topped with rainbow frosting. The kids had a blast, and I had leftover pizza, which was a win for everyone involved. The only bragging rights I claimed were proudly announcing, “I bought the decorations at Target!”

Embracing this more relaxed approach has made me a happier mother. I realized that not stressing about every little detail keeps the joy alive for both me and my child. The key isn’t to stop doing special things for your kids; it’s about finding balance. If you don’t get caught up in the so-called “Mommy Wars,” you can enjoy life from the bleachers with the cool kids.

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In summary, I’ve learned that the pressure to create perfect experiences can take away from the joy of parenting. It’s about enjoying the little things, not stressing over Pinterest perfection.