10 Parenting Habits I Can’t Stand

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Before becoming a parent, I thought I had everything figured out. I was organized, planned ahead, and had a solid grasp on the chaos of life. Fast forward to life as a mom, and I often find myself overwhelmed and frantic, a stark contrast to the calm demeanor I once prided myself on. Juggling two energetic little boys has pushed my organizational skills to the limit, leading to some habits that I really wish I could change. Here are ten things I hate doing, but find nearly impossible to avoid:

1. I often forget to reply to texts. If I don’t respond to a text right away, the chance of me replying later plummets. I have this annoying habit of reading messages when they come through because I can’t stand that little red notification bubble. Unfortunately, this means I often forget to reply at all. While I genuinely want to continue the conversation, it just slips my mind. You could send me a reminder, but let’s be honest—most of my friends are in the same boat.
2. I require multiple alarms for daily tasks. People without kids might wonder how anyone could forget to pick their child up from school on time. Well, I set alarms to keep track of time and ensure I’m ready to get the little one dressed and out the door. I need reminders for everything—school events, doctor’s appointments, and even just to call someone back.
3. My smartphone is my memory. This goes hand in hand with needing reminders. I have so much on my mind that if I jot something down, I tend to forget it. I struggle to remember birthdays, phone numbers, or even simple facts because I can just look them up. I can’t even recall a short grocery list without the help of an app.
4. If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist. My husband might casually mention a meeting, but if it’s not in my calendar, it’s like it never happened. I get annoyed when I expect him home, only to find out he’s out for a meeting he told me about. I won’t remember to attend events unless they’re scheduled in my calendar—with alerts, of course.
5. I often overbook and have to reschedule. I dislike canceling on friends, but there have been times when I’ve completely forgotten about other commitments and ended up double-booked. I wish I could blame it on being disorganized, but the reality is I just didn’t check my calendar before agreeing to something new.
6. We struggle to be on time. It annoys me to show up late, especially when I know how frustrating it can be when others do the same. Before kids, I believed that being on time meant arriving early. But now, we’re lucky if we get anywhere on schedule. There’s always a last-minute diaper change or a sudden need to use the bathroom.
7. I’m perpetually behind. I maintain a to-do list because without it, I’d forget everything. Unfortunately, that list never seems to shrink. The house is always messy, work feels never-ending, and the kids always want another snack. The only time I feel like I can relax is when I’m certain there’s nothing else I should be doing, which often feels like procrastination.
8. I don’t connect with loved ones as much. I used to be great at reaching out to friends and family. I would check in regularly, but nowadays, I need reminders just to send a quick message to see how they’re doing.
9. Thoughtful gestures are a rarity. There’s hardly time to pick the perfect gift or write a meaningful card. Gifts have become last-minute decisions, and I can’t recall the last time I planned something special for someone. I really dislike how impersonal I’ve become in this regard.
10. Gift wrapping is a lost art. In line with my gift-giving failures, I barely wrap presents anymore. If you receive a gift bag, consider yourself lucky—expecting fancy wrapping is just unrealistic at this point.

I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling like I’ve become the disorganized mom I once vowed I wouldn’t be. I could easily reach out to fellow moms about this, but honestly, there’s just a slim chance any of us will remember to respond (see No. 1). If you want more insights into similar experiences, check out this post for additional relatable moments in parenting.

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In summary, parenting is a whirlwind that can turn even the most organized individual into a chaotic mess. While I hate these habits, they have become a part of my everyday life.