15 Myths I’ve Shared About My Parenting Journey

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Updated: Aug. 22, 2015

Originally Published: November 23, 2012

As parents, we often find ourselves navigating a minefield of expectations—some spoken, some implied, and others seemingly pulled from some elusive Parenting Manual that I clearly missed out on. I wasn’t handed a copy in the hospital, and that explains a lot about my current parenting outlook.

In the circles we frequent—be it the school drop-off, the soccer field, or the playground—there’s a constant stream of ideas that we’re expected to embrace. These concepts, often declared by the so-called Parenting Gods, claim to be the magical ingredients for transforming our ordinary kids into extraordinary achievers.

And when these topics arise in conversations (which they inevitably do), I find myself doing what any self-respecting parent would do: I fib. I embellish. I straight-up lie.

Here are 15 of those little white lies:

1. Sugar is the enemy. There’s no way I’m letting that toxic substance in my house.
2. Absolutely, I keep a close eye on their screen time. It’s tough, but necessary.
3. Organized sports are crucial for their physical and social growth, no doubt about it.
4. All these extracurriculars have me running in circles—I’m just so busy!
5. It’s the homework checking that takes forever. We go through every answer together.
6. I’m still deciding on a birthday party theme, but hey, the entertainment is booked!
7. Just got back from volunteering at school again. I need to be in the loop!
8. Oh yes, I signed up for that too.
9. Kids are just endlessly fascinating, aren’t they?
10. I genuinely can’t find a minute to myself. It’s unbelievable!
11. We’ve been so dedicated to fundraising. It’s like… hello? I have a life too!
12. I was up all night stressing over his school project. So exhausted!
13. Can’t wait for the class party! Counting down the days.
14. Yep, it’s all organic!
15. Honestly, without my kids, what would I even do? They’re my whole world.

So there it is. I’m a full-blown, Pinocchio-level liar. I put on my best “I’m a great parent too” face and play along, even when all I want to shout is, “Are you kidding me? Who cares?” But since other parents seem invested, I keep up the act.

If you’re curious to read more about the realities of parenting and the occasional fib we all tell, check out this insightful post about common misconceptions in parenting. And if you’re exploring options for growing your family, this site offers excellent resources on treating infertility that could guide you along your journey. Don’t forget to look into reputable retailers like this one for at-home insemination kits to further assist you in your path.

In summary, parenting is an intricate dance of expectations and realities, often filled with a sprinkle of exaggeration. We all want to appear as the perfect parent, but the truth is, we’re all just doing our best and maybe telling a little white lie now and then.