I once prided myself on being a judgmental parent. In my pre-kids days, I was convinced I had all the answers to successful parenting. Sure, I had a baby who was a breeze—he smiled at everyone and rarely fussed, even when we changed his routine. Looking back, I see how naive I was, blissfully unaware of how easy life was at that moment. I thought I was the ultimate parenting guru.
Fast forward to now, and I’m the mother of two lively children. The only certainty I have is that I’m no parenting expert. The challenges of raising kids can be overwhelming and exhausting. Honestly, I don’t even want to be an expert anymore; I just crave a quiet moment to enjoy a cup of coffee.
I’ve transformed from that judgmental mother into someone more understanding. It hit me recently while I was at our local McDonald’s with my kids. Sitting in a plastic booth, watching my toddler gleefully munch on chicken nuggets and fries while I attempted to engage my older child, I realized: this is my reality, and surprisingly, I’m okay with it.
Honestly, I never envisioned my afternoons would be spent at a fast-food restaurant. In that moment, instead of disappointment, I felt genuine happiness. It’s a stark contrast to my former self, who looked down upon parents who frequented places like this. I would have scoffed at the idea of feeding my kids fast food, questioning why anyone would expose their children to such unhealthy options or the undoubtedly germ-ridden play areas.
In those earlier days, I vowed to provide my children with the healthiest meals and endless creative activities. I envisioned them begging for broccoli (which they occasionally do—though it’s ice cream they ask for more often!) and being perfectly well-behaved and dressed to the nines (which has become quite rare in our household).
Today, on yet another dreary, rainy day, I found myself at McDonald’s, embracing the reality that my kids are not babies anymore. They crave interaction and adventure. And I’ve changed—no longer the judgmental mom but one who enjoys seeing her kids play freely while I sneak in moments on my phone.
Oddly enough, I find this place somewhat enjoyable. I treat my kids to lunch (which they absolutely love), and then they get to explore the play area and make new friends. It gives me a breather, and occasionally, I even chat with other parents.
I’m aware that some might judge my choices, and that’s fine. Just a few years ago, I would have looked at myself with harsh criticism. But before you form an opinion, consider this: our family lives in a rural area with limited options for indoor activities. We don’t have gyms or trampoline parks nearby, not even a Chuck E. Cheese. This McDonald’s, with its indoor playground, is our best option for letting the kids release their energy without fear of being kicked out for being too loud.
Yes, the food isn’t the healthiest, and yes, the play structure is a bit sticky. But it works for us on days like today, when the hours stretch long and lonely.
Rather than feeling defeated, I feel a sense of freedom—freedom from my own judgments and unrealistic expectations. I’m free to choose what works best for my family and create some fun memories. The only judgment I’m passing now is on my past self, who was so certain she had it all figured out.
Letting go of that judgmental persona has been liberating. She wasn’t nearly as fun anyway. If you’re interested in exploring more about parenting and embracing the journey, check out our other blog post here.
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Summary:
Reflecting on my evolution from a judgmental parent to one who embraces the chaos, I’ve realized that parenting is all about flexibility and acceptance. No longer bound by rigid ideals, I find joy in small moments, even if they take place in a fast-food restaurant. Letting go of judgment has allowed me to truly enjoy motherhood.
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