How Did That Potato End Up in the Baby’s Crib?

Parenting Chronicles

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I once stumbled upon a cheeseburger in my pocket and, on another occasion, discovered a whole potato nestled in the baby’s crib. Welcome to the wild adventure of motherhood.

By Jess Harper | August 17, 2022

As a new mom envisioning a bustling family, I didn’t fully grasp what it would entail to raise four boys under the age of seven. While I anticipated a whirlwind of noise, laughter, chaos, tears, and exhaustion, the reality has been even more intense. Each day brings a mix of bizarre occurrences that leave me shaking my head, but nothing compares to the strange items that turn up along the way.

One evening after putting the baby to bed, I leaned against the wall, eyes closing for a brief moment of rest. As I rifled through my pockets, I was met with the unexpected: a half-eaten cheeseburger. I had no clue how it got there or how long it had been stashed away. It certainly didn’t belong to me! My mind raced back to that morning at the McDonald’s drive-thru when I realized my kids hadn’t eaten before heading to their summer camp. One of them must have slipped it in while I chatted with the camp director. So, like any exhausted parent, I took a big bite. Classy, right?

Before kids, I might have been furious about the situation, but now, with four kids in tow, I find it simply hilarious. As Dr. Mike Jordan, a parenting expert, notes, “Laughter reduces stress hormones and boosts immune cells, helping parents feel less stressed while supporting their health.” I guess I’m on my way to becoming the healthiest person around, especially after discovering a full Idaho potato in the crib a week later—only the baby knows how it got there, and he can’t walk or talk!

Yet, as many parents understand, finding humor in every situation isn’t always feasible. Sometimes, the bizarre items can push you over the edge, like the time I spent a sweltering afternoon searching for a rotten apple in my minivan, only to end up sobbing and late for a Zoom meeting. Stress, sleep deprivation, and feeling overwhelmed can make it hard to laugh, as Dr. Jordan mentions.

Taking his advice, I’m learning to slow down and find humor in the crazy situations we face as new parents. However, slowing down often leads to a nap, and that could result in waking up to find a Sharpie mural on my face or gum tangled in my hair. But I wouldn’t trade those moments for the world—most days. The chaos is everything I imagined and more, and laughing with my family over these absurd incidents is what makes our daily life truly special.

Jess Harper is a freelance writer based in Cincinnati, focusing on health and wellness, parenting, and lifestyle. When she isn’t writing, she’s managing the delightful chaos created by her four sons under seven. With over ten years of experience connecting readers with relatable content, Jess has contributed to various notable publications.

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Summary:

The humorous chaos of motherhood is highlighted through unexpected discoveries, like a cheeseburger in a pocket and a potato in a crib. As a mother of four boys, Jess Harper finds herself navigating a world of laughter amidst the stress of parenting. Despite the challenges, she embraces the absurdities and cherishes the moments that define her family’s unique journey.