Before becoming a parent, I prided myself on being organized and always having everything in order. I couldn’t fathom how some people managed to get through life being so disorganized and chaotic. However, now that I have kids, I often feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water. I find myself doing things I once criticized in other parents. Here are ten habits I dislike but struggle to change:
-
Neglecting Text Messages
If I don’t respond to a text right away, the chances of me replying later drop significantly. I often check messages as soon as they come in just to avoid that annoying red notification bubble. Unfortunately, this means that I frequently forget about the message entirely. While I genuinely want to engage, it often doesn’t happen. I could suggest a follow-up text, but like most of my friends who are also parents, they probably won’t remember to do that either. -
Setting Multiple Reminders
Those without children might not grasp how someone could forget to pick up their child from school. I, however, require alarms for nearly everything—from reminders to buy pumpkins for school events to when I have to pick up my older son. My life has become a series of notifications to stay on track. -
Relying on My Smartphone for Memory
This ties into my need for reminders. My mind is already so full that if I jot something down, I tend to forget it. Important dates, phone numbers, and even simple facts slip my mind because I can just Google them. I can’t remember a grocery list unless I have my notes app handy. -
If It’s Not in My Calendar, It Doesn’t Exist
My husband might mention plans in passing, but if I don’t see it on my calendar, it’s as if it never happened. This leads to frustration when plans arise that I wasn’t aware of, even if he warned me beforehand. I won’t remember to attend events unless they’re scheduled with alerts. -
Overbooking Myself
I despise canceling on people, but there have been times when I’ve completely forgotten other commitments and found myself double-booked. It’s frustrating because I often have the prior engagement on my calendar; I just forget to check it before saying yes to something new. -
Always Running Late
I hate being late and it irks me when others are tardy, too. Before kids, I adhered to the motto, “If you’re on time, you’re late.” Now, arriving on time seems like a luxury. I hate missing that buffer time; it’s a constant struggle with kids who seem to need a last-minute diaper change or snack right as we’re about to leave. -
Never Truly Caught Up
I maintain a to-do list, yet it feels endless. The house is always a little messy, work never seems to conclude, and the kids are perpetually asking for snacks. The only time I can relax is when I know there’s nothing pressing, but that often leads to feelings of guilt instead of peace. -
Falling Out of Touch
I used to regularly check in with friends and family, but now I struggle to remember to reach out. I need to set phone reminders just to say “hi” or see how they’re doing, which feels disheartening. -
Not Planning Thoughtful Gestures
There’s simply no time to choose the perfect gift or write a heartfelt note anymore. I find myself grabbing generic items instead of putting thought into gifts, which bothers me as I’ve always enjoyed personalizing them. One day, I hope to return to that level of thoughtfulness. -
Gift Wrapping is a Rare Event
In line with my gift-giving struggles, I rarely wrap presents anymore. If you’re lucky, you might get your gift in a gift bag—no tissue paper included. Family often receives their gifts in the original store packaging.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like they’ve become the disorganized parent they once promised they wouldn’t be. I could reach out to some mom friends right now, but like me, they might not respond either.
For more information on home insemination, check out this resource or learn about IUI treatments. For additional support and information related to pregnancy, visit the CDC’s website.
Summary: Parenting often leads to unintentional habits that can be frustrating. From neglecting messages to struggling with time management and gift-giving, many parents find themselves overwhelmed and disorganized. The chaos can feel never-ending, but it’s important to remember that these experiences are common among parents.