4. Write a list of things you never thought you would do when you became a parent.
Being a mom is a lot like I expected it to be. I had an inkling that these little beings I helped create would be humans I was responsible for taking care of forever, but I don’t think I fully grasped how difficult the job would be.I thought they would be cute and obedient and rational. Because I planned on being a rational parent. I planned on being the type of parent that was open to letting you stay home from school if you needed to mentally decompress from academia. Certainly if I were open to giving kids a little more respect in this whole process, they would on turn also be open to rational discussions about any rules and/or expectations.
I was going to be a mom that said “no”, but then also followed up with a a sensible explanation. Here are some more ridiculous things I never thought I’d do…
1. I never thought I’d say “because I said so”
2. I never thought I’d make them go brush their teeth in the middle of a TV show.
3. I never thought I’d continue tying their shoes for them after the age of five. Or six. Or seven. Or eight.
4. I never thought I’d clean their rooms for them.
5. I never thought I’d force them to hug someone.
6. I never thought I’d buy them toys for no reason at all.
7. I never thought I’d let them walk around the neighborhood without an adult.
8. I never thought I’d stop making them eat vegetables for dinner.
9. I never thought I’d avoid telling them upcoming plans.
10. I never thought I’d bribe them to take pictures with me.
And yet here I am…doing it all and more.
Is there anything you never thought you’d do?
Morgan says
I avoid telling them upcoming plans.
I make dinner that I know everyone will eat and most of the time no veggies.
I clean the boys room.
Sometimes I even brush the youngest boys (11) teeth because I think his breath smells bad and he refuses to brush them.
I say yes to anything that won’t harm them or get them into trouble.
Also, “because I said so” because sometimes a rational explanation is too hard.
Mama Kat says
We are the same parent. lol
Abby says
Clean up after them, when they’re well into their teens
Hand over cash even when they have jobs
Spend an hour cooking a dinner I have no interest in eating
etc…
You’ve got a good list, very relatable! Parenting is so easy when you’re not a parent.
Mama Kat says
Oh my gosh, YES! Your suggestions are spot of and so frustrating!
Lori says
I never thought I’d choose just having some freaking peace and quiet over making them stop doing whatever it is they’re probably not supposed to be doing but that is resulting in some freaking peace and quiet for me.
I can relate to all of your list! I interpreted the prompt a little differently because mine are older now, but in the end, the lesson is the same as yours. Never say never…
Mama Kat says
So true…how many times has it been “too quiet” and we’re just willing to deal with the aftermath in exchange for that peace!
Gigi says
Isn’t parenting “fun”? I can’t even begin to tell you how many things I thought I’d never say/avoid saying or do since mine was born all those many years ago.
Mama Kat says
Motherhood is HUMBLING!
John Holton says
Forcing kids to do what they don’t want is part of motherhood, isn’t it?
Mama Kat says
Before I had kids I thought I would be the NICEST mom ever!! lol…nope.