By: Samantha Taylor
A friend recently showed me a humorous bumper sticker that read, “Proud Parent of a Wonderful Kid Who Occasionally Acts Like a Rascal, and That’s Okay.” I couldn’t help but chuckle, and when I got home, I felt compelled to look it up. Not that I would actually purchase it—my children wouldn’t find it funny if I labeled them as rascals on a bumper sticker. I ended up discovering a plethora of other “Proud Parent” bumper stickers, such as:
- Proud Parent of a Thoughtful Child
- Proud Parent of a Homeschool Honor Student
- Proud Parent of Amazing Kids
- Proud Parent of a Gifted Learner
- Proud Parent of a Child With Strong Values
- Proud Parent of My Star Pupil
- Proud Parent of Generous Kids
I mean, sure. I have no doubt that the parents proudly displaying these stickers genuinely believe they have smart, kind, and generous children. However, I can’t shake the feeling that these are the same parents who sometimes glance at me with judgment when one of my kids hurls a plush toy across the aisle at the store. Some of you reading this might be thinking, “Can’t you manage them better? Do you have any discipline in your household? I bet your kids walk all over you.” And in a way, you might be right.
It’s not that I don’t try. Some days, it feels like every word out of my mouth is aimed at steering my kids away from being rascals. Other days, I realize that no one has acted out at all. Just the other day, one of my little rascals gave a heartfelt hug to a lovely elderly woman at a nursing home—definitely not the typical behavior I would expect from him. But then again, there are times when throwing that plush toy feels like the right choice to them. The truth is, sometimes my kids can be a bit wild, and I bet yours can too.
The reality is this: everyone has their off moments. Every single person. And if one individual doesn’t see you as a rascal at a certain time, there’s always someone else who will. This is simply human nature, so there’s no need to stress about it. I’m pretty sure even the most revered figures in history had their moments—yes, even Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln. The math is straightforward: human = occasional rascal.
What I’m really trying to convey is that I’m exhausted from trailing behind cars boasting “Kind Kids with Strong Values” while my own are in the backseat squabbling. I’m tired of worrying that my child’s misbehavior reflects my parenting failures. Honestly, I think I’ve encountered one too many parenting blogs and magazine articles telling me, “You’re doing it wrong, but here’s how to fix it.” Most importantly, I’m weary of judging myself based on the perceived opinions of others, even when those opinions don’t exist.
Oh, who am I kidding? I don’t stress too much over that stuff. However, I really wish I could get my hands on that bumper sticker because my kids can indeed be rascals sometimes—just like yours.
If you’re interested in similar parenting insights, check out this other blog post about navigating the ups and downs of parenting at this link. And for those on a fertility journey, Make a Mom offers reliable at-home insemination kits. Also, if you’re looking for guidance on what to expect when trying home insemination, Parents has excellent resources.
In summary, parenting is filled with challenges, and our children can sometimes act up. But it’s important to remember that this is part of being human. We all have our moments of being a little rascally.
Leave a Reply