I have a confession to make. I often find myself daydreaming about being the perfect Pinterest Mom, with her on-point hair and outfit, seemingly having everything together. The one with the patience for Montessori-type activities, home-cooked well balanced nightly meals, and matching themed pajamas for the entire family. Yes, I can be crafty and over the top sometimes, but for the most part, I consider myself a “lazy” parent.
Let me go on record saying that I love being a mom. My whole world has changed since having children. They have brought out both the best and worst in me and I’ve learned so much about what I’m truly capable of throughout this parenting journey. While I love my children with every fiber in my being, I also love my own sanity. Below are a few “lazy” parenting confessions that help me stay somewhat sane:
- Blinders On. I pretend I didn’t see it, so it didn’t happen. I use this mantra when I see my kid drop something on the floor and then eat it. I mean a little dirt never hurt anyone, right?
- Saving the Day. I don’t instantly jump into “superhero saving” mode when my kid screams out. I’ll do a quick scan to ensure there is no blood or broken bones, then I wait for them to jump up and dust themselves off. I find that fussing over them makes them become more upset.
- Screen Time. I have early morning risers. Some mornings I use the tablets to get a few extra minutes of sleep. I allow my kids extra screen time so that I can finish up dinner or use the restroom in peace. Netflix and Disney Plus have really come in handy when I just need a few minutes to myself to regroup.
- I’m Thirsty. I let my children have a sip of whatever I am drinking (be it not alcohol), mainly because I don’t feel like getting up to fix them one.
- Mom Time. I send my youngest to daycare for a few hours, even on days that I’m off of work.
- Little White Lies. I admit it, I do tell my children stories sometimes. Things like the park is closed or that I’m going to text Santa if they don’t start behaving. I mean most of us participate in the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy story, so I think this line is already pretty grey.
- Cereal for dinner. I wish I could say it was a healthy cereal, but no it will probably be Lucky Charms or Fruit Loops.
Another confession. Most days I don’t feel guilty about any of this. Unfortunately, there are also some days where I feel guilty that I’m not craftier or more hands-on. Could I have done more to make my children’s lives more magical? When I start to spiral down this rabbit hole, I remind myself that I must be doing something right because my kids are awesome and learning to be independent. They are kind, respectful, and well-mannered.
