Motherhood has bestowed upon me a plethora of roles: caregiver, educator, chauffeur, housekeeper, healer of wounds, and even referee during sibling disputes. Yet, one unexpected title that I’ve acquired is “hypocrite.” I’ve become a connoisseur of double standards, often embodying the mantra, “do as I say, not as I do.” As a mother of two teenagers—with another child rapidly approaching their teenage years—I have become acutely aware that adolescents possess an uncanny ability to detect hypocrisy. They are unyielding in their judgments, often using eye rolls and sharp critiques to call me out. Here are a few examples of my hypocritical tendencies:
- Expecting Responsibility: I insist that my children take responsibility for their belongings. I remind them that they are not toddlers anymore. Yet, I often find myself searching for my own things, particularly my car keys, which seem to vanish regularly. Just the other day, in a frantic rush, I asked my kids if they’d seen my keys, only to hear my son mutter, “It is not my responsibility to keep up with your stuff.” Touché.
- Portion Control: I emphasize the importance of portion control when it comes to snacks. I firmly believe that if the package of cookies states a serving size of three, then that’s all they should have. However, I often indulge in my third glass of wine after the kids are asleep, convincing myself that as long as I’m not caught, it’s not truly hypocritical.
- Promoting Politeness: I teach my children the significance of being polite to everyone they encounter. Manners are essential for civil society, I proclaim. Yet, I find myself cursing at the reckless driver who cuts me off in traffic, forgetting my own lessons on civility.
- Encouraging Orderliness: I stress the importance of keeping our home tidy in a family of six. If everyone left their belongings scattered about, our house would be chaotic. I urge my kids to tidy up after themselves, all while my own socks lie on the floor and clean laundry is piled high in every room.
- Screen Time Limitations: I frequently remind my children to avoid excessive television watching, suggesting they engage in more productive activities. “Go outside or read a book,” I say. Meanwhile, I find myself aimlessly scrolling through social media, checking my Facebook multiple times a day, thoroughly enjoying the latest memes.
- Social Media Caution: I caution my teens about the permanence of online posts, explaining that once something is shared, it’s out there forever. I advise them to be careful with their personal information. Yet, here I am, maintaining a blog that shares insights into my life, which may contradict my own advice.
In conclusion, while I strive to instill valuable lessons in my children, I am not immune to my own flaws. To read more about parenting and home insemination, check out this article on intracervicalinsemination.com. For more information on artificial insemination, visit Make a Mom. Additionally, for insights on intrauterine insemination, Cleveland Clinic is an excellent resource.