Last night, I shut a book I had picked up at a flea market, feeling utterly let down. It seemed promising—a light summer read set in beautiful Maine, with characters I thought would be compelling. Alas, I was mistaken; I abandoned it after a third of the way through. As a busy mom of three little ones, my reading time is precious, and there are too many captivating books out there to waste time on the uninspired. In my pre-mom days, I would slog through mediocre reads out of some misplaced sense of obligation. But now that I have kids, my tolerance for certain things has dramatically shifted:
- Subpar Books. You’ve got a limited number of pages to impress me; please don’t waste them on pointless details like a character’s beach bag contents. Seriously!
- Awful Coffee. I know that coffee taste is subjective, but when I say “bad coffee,” I mean anything that doesn’t suit my palate. In my youth, I would drink whatever was most affordable. Now, I need quality brews to fuel my day—weak or bitter? No thanks! Give me a robust cup that makes me feel alive!
- Snobbery. Whether you live in a mansion or wear designer shoes means nothing to me. Kindness and an open heart are what matter! If you have those traits, come sit with me.
- Stiff Jeans. Jeans without any stretch are a nightmare. I need my wardrobe to be as comfortable as my favorite yoga pants—not like a constrictive pair of torture devices!
- Cheap Undergarments. Budget Spanx and $15 bras are simply not going to cut it anymore. After carrying twins and another baby, I need the good stuff for support, and I’m willing to invest in it.
- Fake Foods. I crave real ingredients—nothing processed or artificial. Real butter, cheese, and sugar, please! Who wants to eat pretend food anyway? (Unless you have allergies—then you do you!)
- Cleaning for No One. My grandmother was all about ironing, and my mom followed suit. But me? I have no clue where my iron is! I refuse to waste time cleaning every nook and cranny when I could be dancing with my kids or diving into a good book.
- Body Image Woes. Having three kids in two years has strangely liberated me from obsessing over my appearance. I spent so much time comparing myself to others, and now I realize my worth isn’t tied to my body. My body has important jobs—like raising three amazing girls!
- Guilt Over Happiness. It’s downright impossible to make everyone in my family happy all at once. Once I accepted that, I let go of the guilt. My well-being matters too, and I can’t be everyone’s happiness guru.
- Uncomfortable Footwear. I used to prioritize style over comfort when shoe shopping, but now I need shoes that let me run after my kids without feeling like my toes are in a vice. Cute but comfy is the name of the game!
Motherhood has been a rollercoaster, but it’s also helped me set boundaries I never had before. Sure, I might endure the endless loop of kid shows in the car or share my bed with little ones, but at least I know what I won’t tolerate. And that feels pretty empowering!
If you’re interested in more parenting insights, check out this post on home insemination for some additional resources. Also, for a deeper dive into fertility topics, visit Medical News Today—it’s an excellent resource. And for those looking to explore at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom has some great options.
In summary, as a mom, it’s crucial to understand what you can no longer put up with. From subpar coffee to uncomfortable jeans, embracing this clarity can make a world of difference in your daily life.