As the warmer air and sunshine return, I always look forward to spring. The longer days and sounds of children playing outside fill me with joy. The blooming daffodils and tulips are a sight for sore eyes, and I relish the ability to keep the windows open without worrying about the cold. But despite my love for this season of renewal, Easter has become a holiday I dread as a parent. Before you raise your eyebrows, let me clarify: I have no issue with the religious significance of Easter. In fact, attending Easter Mass is uplifting and often just what I need to shake off the winter blues.
What I can’t stand are the chaotic preparations and expectations surrounding Easter, especially with kids in tow. I had a reality check last year when I found myself in a crowded store on the eve of Easter, competing with other frazzled parents over the last of the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. I realized that being the Easter Bunny doesn’t exactly bring me joy—more like a sense of impending doom.
Easter has morphed into the spring version of Christmas, and honestly, it’s exhausting. Why do we feel the need to turn every holiday into a grand spectacle?
1. Decorating Eggs Isn’t as Fun as It Sounds.
The concept of dyeing Easter eggs is charming in theory. Vibrant eggs nestled in a basket look lovely, but if you’re a parent, you know the chaos that ensues. The vinegar smell is unbearable, boiling dozens of eggs is a hassle, and dye stains seem to find their way onto everything. Eventually, the kids lose interest, and what starts as a fun activity devolves into chaos.
2. Who Can Eat All Those Hard-Boiled Eggs?
After the epic egg-dyeing session, you’re left with dozens of hard-boiled eggs. Eating them for breakfast three days in a row isn’t feasible, so you’re stuck making egg salad for a week, which is not exactly appetizing when the eggs are tie-dyed.
3. Easter Basket Grass is a Nightmare.
Who thought plastic grass was a good idea for Easter baskets? I find remnants of that stuff in every nook and cranny of my house until summer rolls around.
4. Easter Dates are All Over the Place.
I can barely remember to pack lunches on a regular day, let alone keep track of Easter’s ever-changing date. Whoever decided on this system clearly wasn’t a parent. Can we just pick a date and stick to it?
5. Fancy Easter Clothes are a Waste.
I adore the little outfits—those cute bonnets and shiny shoes—but they never stay clean for long. Five minutes after putting them on, my kids look like they’ve been through a mud fight.
6. Black Jelly Beans are the Worst.
Let’s be real: there’s no place for black jelly beans in any Easter basket.
7. The Easter Bunny Myth is Just Weird.
No one warned me that pretending a giant bunny sneaks into our home to leave eggs would feel so bizarre. Seriously, what kind of message does that send?
8. Easter Baskets are Becoming Over the Top.
When I was little, Easter baskets were simple—some candy and maybe a small toy. Now, parents are filling baskets with extravagant gifts and elaborate scavenger hunts. It’s become a mini-Christmas, and I’m not here for it.
9. Peanut Butter Eggs are Seasonal.
Why can’t we enjoy peanut butter eggs year-round? Six weeks in spring is just not enough, and those holiday-themed versions simply don’t cut it.
10. Egg Hunts are Insane.
As a kid, I remember one Easter egg hunt. Now, every event seems to feature multiple hunts, and it’s overwhelming. We’re expected to have breakfast with the Easter Bunny and take pictures too. It’s just too much!
I know my time as the Easter Bunny is limited, and one day I might miss the excitement of my kids racing down the stairs to their baskets. But for now, I’ll be over here hoarding peanut butter eggs.
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In summary, while I cherish the spirit of Easter, the added stress of modern traditions and expectations can be overwhelming for parents. Sometimes, it’s best to keep it simple and focus on what truly matters.