As a physician, I strive for a calm and composed approach to parenting, but let me be honest: it’s a daily challenge. My day begins before my kids wake up, with a few moments of meditation and a glass of lukewarm lemon water meant to detoxify my system—because, you know, apparently that’s a thing. I envision a day where I don’t raise my voice or rush my little ones, where I’m a picture of patience and love. Sounds idyllic, right?
Then the moment they wake up, all those peaceful intentions seem to vanish. Their sleepy faces and warm cuddles melt my heart, but soon enough, the chaos begins. Breakfast becomes a battleground of indecision, with complaints about clothing choices and snacks that don’t meet their standards. The routine hair combing surprises them every time, and suddenly, they seem unable to find their shoes—or even speak without grumbling. With the bus arriving in a mere five minutes, I’m acutely aware that they’ll take seven just to put on their coats. Their homework? Lost. Toothbrushes? Missing. Their prized rock for show-and-tell? Nowhere to be found. In that moment, I realize how daunting parenting can truly be.
Before I know it, I’ve transformed from that envisioned Zen parent into a frantic version of myself, screaming, “Hurry up!” It’s as if my urgency flicks a switch, and suddenly, they’re moving—albeit with the speed of molasses. I find myself longing for a hot cup of coffee and a smooth morning, but instead, I’m caught in a whirlwind of chaotic energy.
I have great admiration for those calm parents who manage to leave the house on time without shouting or resorting to desperate measures—how do you do it? But for those of us who often find ourselves muttering exasperated phrases before 8 a.m., know that you are not alone. We may use colorful language and find ourselves running late despite our best efforts, but our love for our children is unwavering. We justify our frantic moments as a sort of superpower to get things moving.
So, for now, I won’t stop urging my kids to hurry. Because the truth is, if I did, we’d probably never make it out the door.
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To sum it up, parenting is a balancing act of love, chaos, and the occasional meltdown. While I may not embody the peaceful parent I aspire to be, I embrace the journey with all its ups and downs.