Like many parents, I often find myself scolding my kids for typical childhood antics. It’s part of the gig, right? But lately, I’ve had a bit of a wake-up call. Many of the behaviors I criticize in my kids? Yeah, I’m just as guilty of them myself—talk about a major case of hypocrisy!
Check it out:
-
Bedtime Battles
My kids are pros at stalling bedtime. We had a glorious phase when my oldest two would hit the hay at 7 p.m. and fall asleep in no time. Those days are long gone. Now, my younger two can stay up an hour past their bedtime, chatting and giggling—even when they’re tucked in. But who am I to judge? Every night I swear I’ll go to bed earlier, yet here I am, scrolling my phone until midnight, knowing I’d feel way better if I just hit the pillow when I first felt sleepy. My self-control around bedtime is about as strong as my willpower around cookies. So, essentially, non-existent. -
Dessert Before Dinner
I often tell my kids, “No cookies until after dinner!” Then, what do I do? Sneak into the kitchen and devour chocolate chips like it’s nobody’s business. I’m practically the queen of dessert before dinner, lunch, and sometimes even breakfast. I’m an adult; I make my own rules! -
Shoe Shenanigans
I’m constantly teasing my kids about their struggles to find their shoes. How hard can it be? Spoiler alert: I’m always misplacing mine too. I’ll kick them off when I walk in the door, forget where I left them, or they’ll mysteriously vanish under the couch. Okay, I don’t typically stand there crying about it like my kids do, so maybe I’m slightly better. -
Paperwork Chaos
Is there anything more relatable than the kid who pulls a crumpled form from the depths of their backpack, needing it signed and returned that day? I can’t even point fingers, though. My forms end up wrinkled and stained before they even make it to the envelope. And that’s if I remember to fill them out at all! -
Whining About Chores
Oh, it drives me nuts when my kids complain about household chores:
“Why do I have to clean my room?”
“I always have to unload the dishwasher!”
“It’s not my turn to scoop the litter box!”
Life’s tough, kiddos! But I’ll admit, I can’t resist whining about chores either. “Do we really have this much laundry?” “Do I have to dust again?” “Where did all these dishes come from?” Yep, housework brings out my inner whiner too. -
Screen Time Struggles
When it comes to screen time, I might just be the worst. Sure, I work on my computer and need to check email for work, but let’s be real—I often find myself lost in Pinterest or watching funny cat videos. I’m forever limiting my kids’ screen time while I indulge in my own. If they ever say, “I learned it by watching you,” they wouldn’t be wrong; dang it!
If you’re curious about more insights on parenting and self-care, check out this article on home insemination. It’s a great resource for those navigating the journey to parenthood. And speaking of resources, for anyone looking to boost their chances of conception, you might want to check out some fertility supplements from Make a Mom. Plus, if you’re interested in pregnancy week by week, March of Dimes is an excellent resource.
Summary
In the quest of parenting, it’s easy to find ourselves critiquing our kids while engaging in the same behaviors we admonish them for. From bedtime procrastination to sneaking snacks, it’s a humorous reminder that we’re all a bit hypocritical. Embracing our shared flaws can make the parenting journey more relatable and a lot more fun.