May 19, 2023
It’s often said that true character comes to light in times of crisis. If that’s the case, then I’m pretty sure I’m not winning any parenting awards.
One Sunday morning, I strolled into our hallway only to discover a sizable puddle on our freshly refinished wood floors. Naturally, I hurried to the bathroom, only to find that my son had managed to overflow the toilet. (And they do say that women use a lot of toilet paper!)
If this little disaster was meant to showcase my true self, I must admit that it painted me as a stressed-out, foul-mouthed parent who isn’t keen on dealing with such messes. I wish I could say that I calmly searched for a plunger (which, of course, we didn’t have) and enlisted my kids to help rectify the situation.
But no, I did anything but stay calm. Instead, I erupted with frustration, barking orders for towels—towels that were conveniently caught in a mid-cycle wash. I unleashed a tirade of expletives that I didn’t even know I could muster.
On my way to buy a plunger, I texted my partner, Jake, at work: “One of the kids overflowed the toilet. Can’t find the plunger. Headed to the store.” His reply? A cheerful “LOL.”
I chose silence in return, not wanting to engage in a snarky back-and-forth that would only highlight my own flaws. My mom always taught me that if you can’t say something nice, it’s better to stay quiet.
After tackling the toilet situation and cleaning up, we eventually made it to church just in time. To the outside world, we appeared perfectly composed, but inside, I felt like I was barely keeping it together.
After the service, a kind gentleman approached me and complimented my children, saying their good nature was a reflection of excellent parenting. As he walked away, I watched my kids laughing and playing, and all I could do was let the tears flow.
In that moment of self-doubt, someone else recognized the hard work I put into raising my kids. It’s not about achieving perfection; some days, it feels like I’m just treading water. The silver lining is that every new day offers a chance to do better. Even in our greatest missteps, there are valuable lessons to share, sometimes at our own expense. If we always felt we were nailing this parenting gig, we might not be fully embracing our role as parents.
Parenting is undoubtedly challenging, and sure, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t doing a fantastic job.
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Summary
Parenting is a tough journey filled with ups and downs. A recent mishap in my home reminded me that even in moments of chaos, we are often doing better than we think. It’s essential to embrace both successes and failures, as each day brings opportunities for growth.