Before becoming a parent, I always felt organized and in control. I couldn’t comprehend how anyone could manage their lives in such a chaotic manner. I thrived on planning ahead and taking the needs of others into account. However, now that I have children, I frequently find myself feeling disorganized and overwhelmed. I dislike that I’ve become the frantic parent I once judged, but it seems to be an inevitable part of motherhood. Balancing the needs of two young boys is no small feat, and many once-important tasks have fallen by the wayside. Here are ten habits I’ve developed that I wish I could change:
- Neglecting Text Responses
If I don’t reply to a text immediately, the likelihood of me responding later is nearly zero. I often read incoming messages to avoid that annoying notification bubble, yet I completely forget to reply afterward. While I genuinely want to keep the conversation going, I often fail to do so. I could ask for reminder texts, but most of my friends are also busy moms who likely wouldn’t remember either. - Multiple Alarms for Daily Tasks
Those without kids might wonder how anyone could forget to pick their child up from school. I set alarms throughout the day to ensure I’m aware of what time it is and when I need to start getting ready to pick up my older son. I rely heavily on reminders for everything from purchasing supplies for school events to remembering appointments. - Relying on My Smartphone for Memory
Similar to the previous point, I find my memory falters because I have so much information to juggle. If I jot something down, my brain tends to forget it. I can’t recall birthdays, phone numbers, or even simple facts because I know I can always Google them. My shopping list only exists if I have my notes app handy. - Calendar Dependence
When my husband mentions events, if it isn’t in my calendar, I completely forget it exists. This often leads to frustration when I’m surprised by his absence during planned activities. I won’t remember my own events unless they’re marked on my calendar with alerts. - Overbooking and Rescheduling
I dislike canceling plans, but I’ve found myself double-booking quite frequently. I may have the events logged in my calendar but often forget to consult it before committing to new engagements. - Struggling with Timeliness
I hate being late, yet it’s become a common occurrence. In my pre-kid life, I believed that being on time meant arriving early. Now, just getting out the door on time often feels like a monumental task, especially when one of the kids suddenly needs to use the bathroom. - Constantly Behind on Tasks
My to-do list is perpetually lengthy, and the house feels like it will never be tidy. The boys always need another meal, and the work feels never-ending. I find that if I’m not actively doing something, I feel guilty, which makes it hard to truly relax. - Neglecting to Connect with Loved Ones
I used to regularly reach out to friends and family, checking in just to say hi. Now, I often need to set reminders to maintain those connections, which feels disappointing. - Lack of Thoughtfulness in Gift-Giving
I rarely take the time to think through gifts or special gestures anymore. I used to enjoy personalizing gifts but now struggle to plan more than a few days in advance. - Minimal Gift Wrapping
Along with my gift-giving dilemmas, I seldom wrap presents anymore. If you’re lucky, you might receive a gift bag, but don’t expect any fancy wrapping or tissue paper. Family members often get gifts straight from the store bag.
I’m sure many parents can relate to the frustration of becoming the disorganized individual they once vowed never to be. I could reach out to some friends for support, but like me, they might also struggle to respond promptly.
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Summary
Parenthood often leads to unexpected changes in behavior and habits. From neglecting communication with friends to struggling with organization, many parents find themselves in situations they once thought they’d avoid. Balancing responsibilities can be overwhelming, but recognizing these habits is the first step towards improvement.