“I’m a horrible parent,” you confess. “I really am.” You recount how you lost it when your child simply asked for a cup of juice during breakfast. That’s all they wanted—just a little something to quench their thirst. Yet there you were, responding with an exasperated, “Anything else while I’m up? Speak now or forever hold your peace!” You had already put in a solid ten minutes catering to the culinary whims of your little ones, and just when you thought you could catch a break, here comes the request for one more thing. And to top it off, you just caught the dog helping itself to your coffee.
What should I say in response to your admission? “No, no, you’re not a bad parent,” I’m expected to reassure you, in tones that are both comforting and surprised.
But let’s face it: we all have our moments.
Then there’s the dreaded 3 p.m. chaos. The kids are bickering, hitting each other, and yes, even the dog, all while screeching like banshees. In desperation, you dig out the remote from the couch cushions, turn on A Bug’s Life, and sink into the couch with your phone. When the movie ends, you switch to Dinotrux on repeat—because why not?
When you share this story, I’m supposed to empathize and follow up with a tale of my own, like how I once let my kids watch The Godfather while I took a breather outside. Only then can we both ease the guilt that weighs us down.
Here’s the truth we all need to acknowledge: we’re all struggling with parenting. We’ve all been there—running out of coffee, enduring a marathon trip to Target with three kids whose blood sugar plummeted half an hour ago, and mediating toy disputes that make us question our sanity. We’ve watched our children throw sand at the park, wear their shoes incorrectly, and flat-out refuse to wear pants.
Philip Larkin once wrote in This Be The Verse, “They mess you up, your mum and dad / They may not mean to, but they do / They fill you with the faults they had / And add some extras, just for you.” Essentially, we’re all navigating this messy journey together. To think otherwise is to buy into some unrealistic, Pinterest-inspired fantasy. So, let’s raise our hands in surrender: we’re all imperfect, and it’s time to release the guilt.
I see those Facebook ads for positive parenting webinars and roll my eyes. Sure, I believe in the concept of positive parenting, but it doesn’t stop me from losing my cool and yelling at the kids to clean up their block tower—again. After spending the entire day cleaning, I can’t help but snap when I see that latest zigzag of blocks sprawled in the middle of the floor, as if leprechauns decided to construct a shrine only to vanish moments later. The creation exists solely to crumble and scatter blocks everywhere, all of which I will have to clean up because the kids are now bored and fussy. Every parent knows this struggle, which is why we sometimes raise our voices.
We all lean on television as a parenting crutch, allowing our kids to watch far too much of it. And let’s be honest—they’re not even watching the good stuff; it’s all Ninjago and similar nonsense.
We don’t read to our kids as much as we’d like, either. You can only endure so many bland children’s books before your brain feels like it’s leaking out of your ears. We’ve all discreetly discarded gifts from well-meaning grandparents. Who actually wants a giant Paw Patrol plane? Where would you even put it—under the bed?
We yell. We yell because we need the kids to respond, and they act like they can’t hear us at all. We yell because we’re frustrated, exhausted, and yes, sometimes because they’re yelling back.
We feed them junk—candy, cookies, and everything gluten-filled. We forget to do the cute baby footprint art. Honestly, we forget a lot of things: lunches, diapers, wipes, permission slips, and the sanity we’re supposed to maintain while wearing that perpetual smile.
Let’s be real: we’re all just trying to survive this parenting adventure. Some days feature Pinterest crafts, Dr. Seuss books, and healthy avocado lunches. But most days, we’re scrambling to get out the door with shoes on. On a good day, we might manage to put on a little mascara and look semi-alive.
So let’s ditch the guilt. Stop judging that mom in Walmart with the cart full of screaming kids. She forgot her coffee too, and her kids are begging for Matchbox cars, which she’s refusing to buy because they won’t pick up the ones they already have. Instead of glaring, offer a fist bump. She’s your sister in this chaotic journey. There but for the grace of God go you—never forget it.
In conclusion, parenting is a shared struggle. We all face our ups and downs, and that’s perfectly okay.
For more insights into parenting and family life, check out our article on home insemination kits, as well as essential items for your emergency go-bag, and learn more about IUI success rates.