5 Things My Kids Absolutely Detest (And I Just Can’t Seem to Grasp Why)

Last week, I found myself at the dentist with my kids, and let me tell you, it was quite the spectacle. My eldest was getting his teeth cleaned, the middle one was undergoing x-rays, and the youngest was nervously eyeing a peculiar tool meant for checking his teeth. They were all decked out in those funky sunglasses to shield their eyes from the bright lights, and they were completely zoned out watching an episode of Scooby Doo. But despite the enticing Cotton Candy flavored toothpaste—ironic, right?—we all unanimously agreed that visiting the dentist is pretty much the worst.

This got me thinking about other things my kids can’t stand. While nothing I discovered was shocking, I was genuinely surprised to find that the things they loathe are things I absolutely adore.

1. Brushing Teeth

Coming straight from the dentist, it’s no shocker that my kids are not fans of teeth brushing. But come on, little ones! It’s not a chore; it’s a delight! I’m so thankful for toothpaste. I honestly can’t fathom how someone could forget to brush their teeth. Don’t they feel the sugar stuck to their teeth or at least catch a whiff of their own breath in the morning? Seriously.

2. Showering

Most nights, I encourage my kids to shower or bathe. You’d think I was dragging them to a torture chamber! They argue over who goes first and put up a fuss about washing their hair. I mean, if it were up to me, I’d never get out of the shower! It’s such a relaxing experience unless they start banging on the door yelling for food.

3. Reading

How is it that they don’t see the magic in reading? Once I finally get them into a book or start reading to them, they usually get engaged. But the drama it takes to get to that point is unreal. Telling them to put down the games and pick up a book seems like a life sentence. Come on, kiddos, reading opens up worlds of imagination and adventure!

4. Sleep

The classic “But Mooooom, there’s no school tomorrow! Can we stay up late?” is a frequent plea while I’m itching to crawl into bed. “We’re not tired!” they insist. Are they kidding? They wake up at the crack of dawn, bouncing around like little pinballs. Don’t they realize that the later they stay up, the grumpier I become? Plus, those fancy Pottery Barn beds didn’t come cheap—get in them!

5. Vegetables

If it’s green, it’s off the table—unless it’s candy, of course. Getting them to take a single bite of broccoli, even with ranch dressing, hummus, or cheese to entice them, feels like an impossible task. I mean, greens make up a solid 50% of my diet! I love salads, broccoli, spinach—everything green! Not that I’m judging their choices or anything…

Looking at this list, I realize that all five items are everyday essentials, and yet my kids can’t stand them. It seems the main difference between us is age. So, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m just getting old, maybe a tad uptight, and possibly a bit boring. But hey, at least we can all agree on one thing: the dentist is a drag!

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In summary, navigating the dislikes of my kids can be quite perplexing, especially when their aversions are things I cherish. But I guess that’s just part of the parenting journey!