Updated: March 19, 2021
Originally Published: March 11, 2016
In parenting, we often hear the advice not to compare ourselves to others, yet as mothers, it’s nearly impossible to avoid. We spend so much time around fellow parents and their children that we can’t help but wonder: does she just have it all figured out, or are her kids simply easier to manage?
I know deep down that every child brings their own challenges, and I’m proud of the effort I put into raising my kids. Still, it can be tough when our little ones seem to mirror our parenting skills—or lack thereof—to the outside world. For instance, my boys are full of energy and personality, but there are days when I find myself exclaiming, “Are you serious?” as they engage in a debate about the sand’s consistency in the sandbox. It’s all a bit overwhelming, which is why I sometimes find myself envying moms I never thought I would before I became a parent. Here are the moms I wouldn’t mind switching places with for a day:
1. Moms Whose Kids Are Happy in Shopping Carts
Is it too much to ask for a trip to the grocery store to be a pleasant experience? Those fun race car carts should be a blessing, but instead, I feel like I’m navigating a minefield. My youngest is attempting to escape, and my oldest thinks it’s a good idea to leap out. Meanwhile, I longingly watch as another mom glides past with her child steering the cart, grinning like they’re on a fun outing, while I’m left with an overflowing cart of snacks that could feed an army of tiny terrorizers.
2. Moms Whose Kids Hold Their Hands While Walking
I still remember the day my son decided that holding hands was for babies. Crossing the street became an Olympic event, with him darting away like a wild animal. I’ve since thought about the benefits of child leashes, as it would make life so much easier. Even when he does briefly hold my hand, it’s a wiggly affair, and I can’t help but notice the other mom walking calmly with her child, hand in hand, as mine shouts, “Look, Mom, they’re being safe!”
3. Moms Whose Kids Actually Brush Their Hair and Teeth
Have you ever tried to convince a kid to brush their teeth? It’s akin to inflicting torture. No flavor of toothpaste or superhero-themed toothbrush seems to work. Honestly, if Captain America himself showed up to assist, I think my son would still resist. I sometimes joke that the only way to get them to the hair salon is if they served cocktails—because that’s what it feels like every morning.
4. Moms Whose Kids Eat Anything Other Than Cheese Pizza and Toast
Picky eating is a rite of passage for many kids, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. I’ve tried every trick in the book, from smoothies to hiding vegetables in cookies, only to have my son declare my culinary creations unworthy. The suggestion to just let him go hungry doesn’t work, either—he might outlast even Gandhi! Watching other kids devour meals while mine complains of starvation is a unique kind of torture.
5. Moms Whose Kids Leave Places Without a Scene
When it’s time to go, my boys act like I’m taking them away from an amusement park. Each outing turns into a chaotic scene, complete with staff members helping to coax them away from the fun. It makes me question every outing I ever planned. I often remind myself that this chaos is temporary, even as my son runs past me laughing, only to collide with the swing set moments later.
These challenges were things I never envisioned before motherhood. My children can be their own little critics, often leading to moments of confusion and frustration. Yet, just when I think I can’t take it anymore, they surprise me with a sweet kiss or a handful of dandelions, reminding me of the joy amid the chaos. While I do admire the moms with calmer kids, I have also learned to appreciate the wild ride that is parenthood and laugh through each unexpected moment.
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