In the midst of navigating the chaotic world of parenting, I’ve stumbled upon a delightful coping mechanism that has become a personal favorite. Perhaps it’s a result of feeling isolated as a mother of two, or maybe it’s the remnants of mild postpartum challenges. Most likely, my fondness for cookie dough stems from the endless supply of lactation cookies scattered throughout my kitchen. Regardless, I’ve come to enjoy this little game I’ve created: the cookie dough binge.
Objective:
Consume as much cookie dough as possible, with bonus points for devouring an entire bowl in a single day and even more for finishing it in one sitting.
Rules:
Aim to indulge in cookie dough during the 22 accepted scenarios outlined below, but feel free to partake at any time. Extra points for cleverly concealing the cookie dough from your little ones.
Here are 22 occasions when it’s perfectly acceptable for parents to partake:
- Your partner is away at work, leaving you outnumbered by energetic kids.
- The entire family is cozied up for a movie night—relaxation calls for a treat, right?
- Your child refuses to take a nap, and you need a pick-me-up.
- After a long morning, your child finally drifts off, granting you a well-deserved break.
- Multiple kids are wailing simultaneously for no discernible reason.
- The cacophony is so overwhelming you feel like crying, too.
- Your toddler’s lunch consists of a half-eaten strawberry and a single cracker.
- You’ve barely managed to eat anything yourself during this chaotic mealtime.
- The incessant replay of the Daniel Tiger theme song is driving you to distraction.
- There’s a fleeting moment of silence; your toddler is engrossed in a book while the baby sleeps. That’s your cue!
- Your home resembles a disaster zone, and the thought of cleaning is too exhausting.
- Grandma offers to watch the kids for an hour, allowing you to marvel at the tidy space you haven’t seen in days—celebrate with cookie dough!
- You realize at the end of the day that a shower was a luxury you didn’t afford yourself.
- After finally getting that shower, you deserve a self-pity scoop of cookie dough.
- You attempt a trip to the park, but the kids melt down due to fatigue, hunger, or the mysterious whims of childhood. Remember to carry some cookie dough with you for just such an occasion!
- You spot a picture-perfect mom-and-daughter duo at the park and feel a pang of guilt as you glance at your unkempt toddler, still in yesterday’s outfit.
- When you let go of that mom guilt and embrace your reality, it’s worth celebrating!
- You’re rushing to leave for an appointment, but your toddler takes her sweet time putting on shoes.
- The shoes go flying in frustration.
- You are clueless about why your baby is crying.
- Your baby is teething; now you have a scapegoat for the tears.
- The entire household is sick because of a child at daycare bringing home germs. Not fun at all.
Speed Eating Round:
At the end of the day, once everyone is finally asleep, take a moment for yourself. If the echoes of your children’s chaos linger, reward yourself with a few extra bites of cookie dough.
Parenting can be incredibly challenging, and finding ways to cope—whether through earplugs, screen time, or cookie dough—is part of the journey. After all, we’re doing our part to support the cookie industry! If indulging in cookie dough is the price of parenthood, I’m more than ready for another round.
Please note that the author bears no responsibility for any side effects from this “game,” including nausea, fatigue, or any lack of energy to engage with your children.
Have you ever participated in this delightful game?
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Summary:
Indulging in cookie dough can serve as a lighthearted escape for parents amidst the challenging journey of raising children. With humorous scenarios highlighting moments when it’s perfectly acceptable to indulge in cookie dough, this article provides a playful take on self-care for overwhelmed parents. Embracing these indulgences while tackling the chaos of parenting can bring a necessary sense of joy and comfort.