It’s often said that true character emerges during crises. If that’s the case, I’m pretty sure I’m failing spectacularly at this parenting gig.
One Sunday morning, I walked into the hallway and spotted a puddle of water on our freshly refinished hardwood floor. Upon entering the bathroom, I discovered my son had managed to overflow the toilet. (And here I thought women had a monopoly on toilet paper usage!)
If this little disaster was meant to reveal my character, then I must confess: I was a stressed, foul-mouthed mom who had no interest in dealing with such a mess. I wish I could say that I handled the situation with grace, calmly searching for the plunger (which, of course, we didn’t have) and encouraging my kids to help rectify this crisis.
But that wasn’t how it went down.
Instead, I exploded. I shouted orders for towels—towels that were inexplicably mid-cycle in the washing machine. I unleashed a torrent of expletives that I didn’t even know I was capable of.
On my way to the store to buy a plunger, I shot a text to my husband, who was at work: “One of the kids overflowed the toilet again. Can’t find the plunger. Heading to the store.”
His response? LOL.
I chose to ignore it; humor was the last thing I needed in the midst of this chaos. My mother always taught me that if you can’t say something nice, it’s best to stay quiet. So I did just that.
After I finally tackled the toilet and cleaned up the mess, we somehow made it to church on time, looking presentable. Nobody knew about the plumbing disaster. Nobody could see how frazzled I felt inside. Yet, deep down, I felt like I was utterly failing at this whole parenting thing.
At the end of the service, a kind gentleman approached me and praised my children, attributing their character to my great parenting. As he walked away, I watched my kids laughing and playing in the distance, and all I could do was cry.
In my moment of perceived failure, someone else recognized the positive outcomes of my efforts. Parenting isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. There are days when I feel like I’m just trying to keep my head above water. Yet, each day offers a chance to grow. Sometimes, in our colossal failures, we find valuable life lessons—even if they come at our own expense. If we always thought we were nailing parenting, I suspect we wouldn’t be fulfilling our true purpose as parents.
Parenting is tough, and sometimes it downright stinks, but that doesn’t mean you are not doing your best.
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Summary
Parenting is fraught with challenges, and moments of failure are inevitable. A mom’s encounter with a toilet overflow illustrates how crises can test our character. Despite feeling like a failure in the moment, she learns that her children showcase the positive aspects of her parenting. Each day brings new chances for growth and understanding, reminding us that perfection is not the goal.