As a parent, I often find myself running on fumes. Time and energy are in short supply, and it feels like we’re constantly shelling out cash for summer camps, dental visits, and the occasional lost library book. Not to mention the relentless struggle for sleep. Honestly, I think I spend more time worrying about sleep than actually getting it.
It’s a universal truth—there never seems to be enough time, energy, money, or sleep. The same goes for caring about trivial matters. Parents naturally invest a lot of their emotional energy into their children, which means we must be choosy about where we direct our remaining cares. If we’re not careful, we can easily find ourselves overwhelmed and emotionally bankrupt—perhaps even sobbing in a store bathroom on a random Tuesday (or maybe that’s just me).
Every now and then, it’s essential to reassess and adjust our emotional investments. We need to release the things that don’t truly matter so we can focus on what does. Here are 20 things I’m choosing to stop caring about:
- My son eating just three carrots for dinner before claiming he’s ‘full.’ I spent ages preparing a meal of dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, tater tots, and baby carrots, so I refuse to waste another moment worrying about what he eats.
- My son asking for a snack a mere 90 seconds after dinner because he’s ‘absolutely starving.’ Maybe you’d like another carrot, darling?
- Social media photos. Your perfectly curated family snapshots may look great, but I know the chaos that went into capturing that moment. I’ll still hit ‘like’ because that’s just how it works in our mom club.
- Any form of nonsense. I usually try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but sometimes you just have to say, enough is enough. Life is too short for nonsense.
- Excessive screen time. Sure, I know I should limit it, but sometimes, I need a breather for my sanity, and that means letting the kids binge on screens.
- Always being nice. There’s a big difference between being nice and being kind. Sometimes you need to set aside niceties and get real to get things done.
- How my kids dress. As long as they’re dressed and reasonably clean, I’m happy. I’d rather save my energy for the nightly teeth-brushing fights.
- What I wear. Some days it’s trendy jeans, others it’s comfy sweats. Regardless, at the end of the day, my outfit will be covered in kid-related messes.
- Fear of missing out (FOMO). As a parent, I miss out on a lot, but I’ve come to terms with it. Most of my friends are likely also in bed by 10 PM on a Saturday night.
- Cellulite and wrinkles. I’m a woman of a certain age, and I embrace my body as it is.
- The state of my home. With kids and pets, perfection is impossible. “This is why we can’t have nice things” has become my motto.
- Trends. I don’t keep up with the latest fashions or lingo. I recently had to look up what “bae” means, but I know what IDGAF stands for, and that’s what matters.
- Canceling plans to stay home. Sometimes you just need a cozy night in with your favorite pajamas.
- Leaving my kids to have some fun. There are times when you simply need to enjoy a night out away from the little ones.
- Over-scheduling my kids. A little boredom is healthy. Didn’t someone say that boredom breeds creativity?
- Trying to get everything done. Sometimes the to-do list needs to be tossed aside for a nap and some Oreos.
- Different parenting philosophies. Everyone has an opinion, and honestly, they can be overwhelming.
- Comparisons. It’s a waste of energy measuring myself against others. Perfection is a myth, and it doesn’t exist.
- Worrying about my kids being extraordinary. It takes a lot of time to be exceptional, and I’d rather focus on raising kind, good-hearted individuals.
- The illusion of having it all together. I used to think adults had everything figured out until I realized we’re all just winging it.
Remember, life is too short to get bogged down by the small stuff. Instead, focus on what truly matters and, if you’re looking for ways to improve your journey into parenthood, check out some great resources like this article on fertility supplements or this informative guide on donor insemination.
In summary, prioritize your emotional energy by letting go of trivial concerns and focusing on what truly matters—your well-being and the happiness of your family.