Before stepping into the realm of motherhood, I was under the impression that moms had it all figured out. After all, they’ve known their little ones for quite some time, so surely they must have a handle on things like whether their child loathes footed pajamas or not. Well, I confidently knew that my 3-year-old adored them, so I went ahead and gifted her five pairs for Christmas. Fast forward to bedtime, and the only pajamas she’ll squeeze into are infant-sized ones—because apparently, “hot feet” are a soul-crushing ordeal for her.
It turns out the biggest misconception is that moms are experts in parenting. Spoiler alert: we’re all just winging it! This means that while past experiences may lead us to believe our child’s favorite doll prefers “I’m A Little Teapot” for naptime, we may inadvertently unleash chaos when Miss Dolly clearly desires “Where Is Thumbkin.”
Let’s debunk some of those persistent mom myths:
- We know what we’re doing. Honestly, I’m clueless. Some days, I feel like I’m standing in a corner haphazardly tossing out clothes, meals, and affection like confetti, hoping something sticks.
- That outrageous outfit? Our choice. I lost that battle the moment my daughter discovered the magic of tutus and, later, the kingdom of Elsa.
- Our lives revolve around our kids. I adore my children—they’re wonderful! But I’m also trying to carve out a life that doesn’t solely revolve around them.
- If our kid is messy, it’s our fault. There aren’t enough wipes in existence to keep up with my 3-year-old. I’m just as bewildered by her messy face as anyone else.
- We know exactly what our kids want. My kids are like moving targets! One day, it’s syrup served separately, and the next, I’m suddenly ruining their lives with the same setup.
- We know their food preferences. I might have a general idea, but one day they’ll devour roasted cauliflower like it’s candy while declaring noodles to be the enemy. I just keep cooking and hope that no one goes hungry!
- We have discipline figured out. My current strategies include hiding toys on top of the fridge, time-outs, and a sprinkle of love and logic. Are these effective? Your guess is as good as mine.
- We shield our kids from all harm. Sure, we do our best to protect them from real dangers, but I believe it’s essential to let them face some challenges—like navigating the playground without intervention.
- We’re master multitaskers. Some days, I can juggle a million things at once, but more often than not, I must focus on one thing at a time. Otherwise, we end up having fruit snacks for dinner while buried under a mountain of laundry.
- Having kids has fulfilled our dreams of adulthood. If my dreams were to become an expert at extracting crusty boogers from tiny noses, maybe I’ve succeeded. But I also yearn to write and rediscover my own aspirations. Kids are fantastic, and I love them dearly, but I know there’s a part of me that still wants to thrive.
For more insights on parenting, check out our post on the 10 lies I tell my children. Kids bring joy, but they can also be a handful!
In summary, motherhood is a chaotic journey filled with surprises, learning experiences, and plenty of myths to bust. We’re all just trying to navigate this wild ride, hoping to find our footing along the way.