By Dr. Emily Carter
They say true character emerges in times of crisis. If that’s the case, I’m pretty sure I’m failing spectacularly in my role as a parent.
One Sunday morning, I strolled into the hallway and was greeted by an unwelcome sight: a sizable puddle on our newly polished hardwood floor. Upon investigating, I discovered that my son had managed to overflow the toilet. (And they say women use a lot of toilet paper!)
If this moment is a reflection of my character, I must confess—I turned into a frantic, overwhelmed mother who couldn’t handle the mess. I wish I could share that I calmly sought out a plunger (which, of course, we didn’t have) and gently asked my children to assist in managing the situation.
But that was far from the case.
Instead, I erupted. I shouted for towels—towels that were conveniently stuck in the washing machine cycle. I unleashed a torrent of expletives that surprised even me, let alone my kids.
On my way to the store to buy a plunger, I texted my spouse: “The toilet is overflowing again. Can’t find the plunger. Off to the store.”
His response? A simple “LOL.”
I chose not to reply because I found nothing amusing about the situation. I thought it best to avoid escalating the crisis with snarky banter. My mother always told me that if you can’t say something kind, it’s better to stay silent. So I did.
Once I tackled the toilet and cleaned up the mess, we somehow made it to church on time. To the outside world, we looked perfectly composed. Nobody knew about the plumbing disaster that had just unfolded. Yet inside, I felt like I was failing at life.
After the service, a kind gentleman approached me and complimented my children, attributing their good behavior to excellent parenting. As he walked away, I watched my kids playing together and felt overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to do but cry.
In my moment of perceived failure, someone else recognized the positive outcomes of my parenting efforts. It’s not about being flawless. Some days, it feels like I’m barely staying afloat. The silver lining is that each day presents a new chance to improve. Even in our biggest blunders, there are opportunities to impart valuable life lessons, often at our own expense. If we believed we had everything figured out, we might miss the essence of what parenting truly entails.
Parenting is undeniably tough, and at times, it can feel disheartening. However, that doesn’t mean you are failing.
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In summary, every parent encounters significant challenges, and it’s essential to recognize that these moments don’t define our abilities. Parenting is a journey filled with ups and downs, and each setback can lead to growth and understanding.