My dad had this saying: “You can mess up your own pot, but eventually, you’ll have to deal with it.” While I get the idea behind it—essentially, what goes around comes around—it’s still one of the most nonsensical phrases I’ve heard. I mean, why would I ever want to deal with something gross? Even survivalists don’t resort to eating their own waste when they’re starving!
The good thing about having little ones is they’re blissfully unaware of the ridiculous phrases we often spout. Their vocabulary is shaped by what they hear at home and on kids’ shows. Besides, most kids tune us out anyway.
For years, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around my dad’s saying, and even now, at an age that is definitely more than 27, it still seems like an odd choice for imparting wisdom. As a parent, I’ve found that many sayings we use around kids are just filler—words we say instead of expressing what we really mean. For example, saying, “Oh my, what is that smell under your bed?” sounds nicer than, “What in the world died in here?” But deep down, it’s just a way to avoid the blunt truth.
Here are some more of my favorite pointless phrases parents often use:
- You KNOW.
No, they don’t know. And honestly, neither do you. It’s just a silly filler. - Are you kidding me?!
Clearly, your toddler didn’t dump a bag of flour on the floor as some elaborate joke. This is rhetorical, not literal. - Knock it off!
Let’s be real; if you want them to stop doing something, just tell them to stop. - I’m done.
Maybe you are, but you’re stuck in this for another 17 years. Just accept it and keep cleaning. - WOW!
This is never a genuine expression of surprise; it’s just a sign you’re really frustrated. - This is ridiculous!
It usually is, but kids don’t grasp the nuances of that word when they’re just being kids. - You’ve got another think coming.
It’s commonly used, but it rarely lands well with kids. Better to just enforce the bedtime rules. - If you’re going to do something, do it right.
Sure, but are they really going to light their homework on fire? - No one ever said that life was fair.
True, but your child just dropped their ice cream cone. They don’t care about fairness. - I don’t give a rat’s ass.
Fantastic, but I doubt anyone really wants a rat’s backside anyway. - So help me.
Who is this “So,” and exactly how can they assist? - There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Sure, tell that to kids at pizza parties! - To assume is to make an ass out of you and me.
A lesson in both life and spelling, but probably not what your kid needs to hear. - You can wish in one hand and… well, you get the idea.
Why would you want to mess in your own hand, anyway? - If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all be living the sweet life.
Kids would probably prefer actual candy over this saying!
Clearly, we could go on forever with these phrases. Each generation seems to have its own collection of colorful expressions. The phrases we use may seem lazy or nonsensical, but they often serve as a means to cope with the challenges of parenting. After all, life isn’t fair, and sometimes, we just have to wing it—one day at a time, one silly phrase at a time.
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In summary, while these phrases may seem pointless, they reflect the complexities of parenting. We often resort to them because expressing the full range of our feelings is a challenge.