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- Moms I Find Myself Envious Of
by Lisa Thompson
Updated: March 19, 2021
Originally Published: March 11, 2016
In the world of parenting, one universal truth remains: avoid comparing yourself to others. Yet, as mothers, we often find ourselves in situations where this is nearly impossible. Surrounded by other parents and their children, it’s easy to wonder if someone else is simply a better mom or if their kids are just more manageable.
Deep down, I know that every child comes with their own unique challenges, and I’m doing my best. However, it can feel tough when our children seem to reflect our parenting abilities to the outside world. If my child is acting out, does that mean I’m failing as a parent?
While my boys are incredible and I love their spirited nature, there are days when I catch myself saying, “You can’t be serious?” as my son argues over the amount of sand in the sandbox. Parenting is a challenge, and I find myself envying other moms in ways I never anticipated before having kids. Here are the moms I would gladly switch places with, if only for a day:
- Moms Whose Kids Remain in Shopping Carts
Grocery shopping should feel like a breeze, especially with those race car-shaped carts. Instead, I’m navigating a massive cart while my little one screams and tries to escape, and my older one has already jumped out. I often watch in awe as another mother pushes a cart with a child happily steering it. In my cart, I’m usually juggling a mountain of snack food while praying we can just get through the store. - Moms Whose Kids Hold Hands While Walking
When my son turned 4½, he suddenly decided he was too cool to hold my hand, especially while crossing the street. He’d rather hold my purse or pants, making our walks a game of tug-of-war. I sometimes wish I could tether us together. I catch glimpses of other moms walking hand in hand with their kids, and my boy often remarks, “Look, Mom, they’re being safe.” Really? - Moms Whose Kids Tolerate Hair and Tooth Brushing
Brushing teeth or hair is a monumental task in our house. It’s as if I’m trying to force them to swallow nails. No amount of cool toothbrushes or flavored toothpaste can convince them otherwise. Perhaps I’m partly to blame; I swore I wouldn’t take them to a hair salon until they served cocktails. - Moms Whose Kids Eat More Than Just Cheese Pizza and Toast
I understand that pickiness is common, but it can be incredibly frustrating. Despite my best efforts—smoothies, hidden veggies in cookies—my son inspects every meal as if he were royalty. The idea of just serving what I made and letting him skip meals is tempting, but he could outlast even the most patient of us. So there I am, watching other kids munch happily while mine screams about being starving. - Moms Whose Kids Leave Places Without Causing a Scene
When it’s time to leave, my children act as if I’m dragging them away from a magical kingdom. No matter where we are, chaos breaks out at departure time. I often have staff members helping to coax them away from whatever fun they’ve found. After giving them warnings, I’m left questioning why I ventured out in the first place. Yet, I remind myself, this too shall pass, even if it involves my son running past me in a frenzy and then crying over a bump he ran into.
These are challenges I never anticipated before becoming a mother. I had no idea my children would turn simple tasks into monumental battles. They’re tiny critics who often leave me feeling overwhelmed but know just when to shower me with affection or bring me a flower, reminding me of their love. While I might envy those moms with more easygoing kids, I’ve learned to embrace the chaos, celebrate the madness, and find humor in each day of unexpected joy.
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