I’ll admit it- I have absolutely NO idea what I’m doing when it comes to the everyday tasks of motherhood. And yeah, that kind of scares me because these are human lives and they expect ME to direct them and to have all the answers. Of course I don’t blame them- they should look to their mother for everything they need help with.
And I’m not going to lie to you, sometimes I lie to my kids because I just don’t know that answer or because “the park is closed” at 2 PM on a Saturday..
So yeah, I’m a bit terrified that I’m still lost in the sauce on this parenting thing, but I just assumed I wasn’t the only one, so that sorta made it ok? Please tell me I’m not the only one.
I have two kids now, so one would think that I have it all figured out.
Well, one would be WRONG.
Not even close.
Some days I’m all like “Oh yeah, both kids are down for their nap and they didn’t throw any tantrums today. I must have this whole “parent” thing figured out,” and other days I’m all “Who, What, Which one are you? What day is it? Who am I?” Let’s be real, most days are like that.
Everyday something new jumps in my back seat and I have to figure out a new way to ride with it.
It doesn’t help that once a week a new serious illness is going around the U.S. and now I can’t bring my kids into the public forever.
Speaking of illnesses, I do not enjoy bringing my kids to their pediatrician. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE their pedi- She’s super smart and she’s always encouraging new ways for them to learn or stay healthy. However, I’m sort of a mess. And although I will try to hide that trait of mine, it always has a way of showing up. And at the doctor’s office, that trait usually shows a little more than usual.
For instance, the first time I brought my newest edition to the DR’s, they instructed me to get him down to a dry diaper- typical routine. Well, he wasn’t dry, so I had to change him on that table in the exam room. Mind you, what I’m about to say, he’s never done to me before, so it only makes sense that he’s going to do this for the first time right now.
So, his diaper’s off, and he decides to fart, poop, and pee all at once, getting everything everywhere. Now, the DR isn’t in, yet, so I’m hurrying to clean everything up before she gets in, but of course I don’t. She catches me redhanded. I’m sure all you parents have a similar story.
Not only am I a complete mess at the pediatrician’s, but our DR almost confirms that I have no idea what I’m doing.
Her favorite phrases to me are “They’re not doing that yet!?” or “You need to be doing this.” I have the same thought every single time she says that: How am I supposed to know all of this?
Seriously, where’s the pamphlet all the mom’s get on each and every step to raising their children?
Was there a group that I was supposed to be inducted into when I became a first time mother?
We’re told not to read things on the internet because there’s a lot of false information, so, where am I learning new information that I’m supposedly supposed to already know?
Did everyone take a “Mom Class” in high school that I somehow missed? Did they have that class the week I was out on that cruise? They did, didn’t they.
Am I taking all the advice that my mother and other family members have given me? But what if they’re wrong? WHAT IF THEY’RE WRONG?
First of all, I’m extremely gullible. If someone for real (i.e. my mother, mother-in-laws, sister) give me advice on my children, I’m most likely going to believe what they’re saying. SO, I pray that nobody is giving me false information.
However, for the most part, I listen to my gut when it comes to my kids. It hasn’t been super wrong, yet, so I suppose that’s good.
It’s tough, though. There’s so much I still don’t know.
At what age should I teach my kid how to swim?
When should I start potty-training?
When should I convert my daughter’s crib to a toddler bed?
AHH!
So far, I have been learning mostly from the experiences I’ve gone through, just like most of you probably do as well. Maybe the first time around, I don’t handle whatever the issue is properly, but the second, third, and fourth time, I bet I have the perfect answer.
That’s what is so great about moms . We’re able to adapt to anything that comes at is and we can almost always figure it out. And kudos to Dads, too. They have that super power of being able to catch the kids from falling off the couch at the last minute and the voice that makes children listen.
So, no, I don’t know what I’m doing and I don’t mind admitting that.
But that doesn’t mean that I don’t think I’m doing a great job with my children. I’m proud of who my kids are turning into. And guess what? They’re turning into these tiny perfect humans because of their father and I. Not anybody else.
So, I may not know it all, although I might pretend to, but I know enough, and that just so happens to be good enough for my little family.