Pregnancy and parenting can be a chaotic combination. With a tiny human growing inside you, it’s almost impossible to maintain your usual parenting standards. I’ve never claimed to be a parenting expert, but this pregnancy has taken my laid-back approach to a whole new level. Here are my confessions about how I’ve adjusted my expectations:
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I let my son munch on a Taco Bell burrito while playing on his iPad in bed. When I discovered ground beef bits on his sheets the next morning, I simply brushed them off without a second thought. Laundry? Not today!
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I’ve permitted my son to pee in a cup and pour it into the toilet repeatedly. It gives me an extra 30 seconds of rest and makes potty training a bit more exciting for him. Win-win, right?
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I’ve told my kid that everything is closed to avoid going out. The park, the playground, even the ice cream shop—none of them are open, according to him. The only exception? My favorite Mexican restaurant, which is “mysteriously” still in business.
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Any toy that requires me to clean up after it is getting hidden or thrown away. Tiny pieces? Nope, not on my watch! I’m not risking tripping over Legos and causing a pregnancy mishap.
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I’ve lied about his friends being too busy for playdates. I love that he gets to play with them, but I know how quickly chaos unfolds. Five minutes in, there’s a snack request, toys everywhere, and someone’s needing a bathroom break—always!
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After reading an email about my son’s behavior from his teacher, I decided to ignore it. I forwarded it to a friend for advice, but then just let it sit for a week. I’m sure the school can handle it without me right now.
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I noticed my son had wet his pants and instead of changing him, I told him not to sweat it and that it would dry in the sun. I mean, who needs clean underwear when you can just go outside?
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After a long day of swimming, I declared that a bath was unnecessary. I didn’t even change the sheets afterward. I shudder to think what’s lurking in those now.
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When we ran out of toilet paper, I creatively tore up paper towels and left them on the back of the toilet. It wasn’t an ideal solution, but I figured it was a step up from using leaves like they did in the olden days.
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I’ve convinced my son that doing chores will help him grow bigger and possibly turn him into a dinosaur. “Fetch me that magazine, and you might sprout wings!”—parenting at its finest!
I know my current approach is less than ideal, but I’m embracing this low-key parenting style for now. My son may not know what’s coming when the ‘strict mom’ returns after the baby arrives. Or maybe this relaxed attitude is here to stay, because let’s face it, who can be rigid with two kids?
I just hope my little one doesn’t end up recounting my parenting blunders in therapy down the line!
For more parenting tips and insights, check out this interesting piece on home insemination, and if you’re interested in learning more about pregnancy options, be sure to visit this excellent resource on family building.
Summary
: Adjusting to pregnancy can lead to some relaxed parenting standards. From letting my son snack in bed to creative solutions for potty training, I’ve had to lower my expectations. While I know these choices may not be the best, survival mode kicks in, and I’m learning to embrace my new, laid-back approach to parenting.