Parenting Task That Truly Sucks!
"Every morning, I wake up just the same
Another victim, of ordinary fame
I don’t see myself, as invincible
It’s not, true at all
Just a day job, that someone’s got to do
It’s kind of hard, when everyone looks up to you
Try to make it look easy, gonna make it look good
Like anybody would"
Being a mommy is the most beautiful thing that has happened to me after becoming a Wife of course!
But after 6 years into motherhood and becoming a mommy of 2 girls - one hyperactive and the other following the footsteps of her sister; I realized I was so wrong. I am just not cut for this SHIT.
Now don't get me wrong. I love being a mother. And I can't say how blessed I feel every time my girls say "Momma you're mine" and they fight over for me Or when just out of the blue they come and Kiss and Hug me and say "I love you mommy".
As a mom each day is a new adventure; some are filled with laughter, some are filled with pure chaos, but most are filled with both. I would venture to say that the majority of my chaos stems from those annoying daily tasks that came with being a parent. These tasks test my patience, drive me crazy, and make the simplest action feel like I am trying to solve a difficult algorithm without any mathematical training.
Life as a parent would be much more awesome if I never had to do any of these mundane, life sucking, chores again.
Washing Bottle: When my 1st kid was 9 month old she weaned out on her own, and so I had to start bottle feed her. Initially I thought it will help me get some free time as I don't have to be there for her every time. But then I hated the chore of washing and sterilizing especially the Nights.
I mean what’s with all the parts? And those brushes that spray you in the face when you pull them from inside the bottle?
And the worst would be cleaning the curdled milk from the bottle.
After learning this lesson I never bottle fed my 2nd baby. But now am facing another problem - she is 2 yr old by now and is just not ready to get weaned.
Changing Diapers – Changing diapers sucks at all stages, but particularly after they learn how to crawl.
You can spend all day chasing them around and manhandling their flailing limbs just to diaper their butts.
Putting Their Shoes On – How are you supposed to fit marshmallow man feet into those tiny shoes?
I use the twist and shove method, and pray I don’t break their ankles.
Cutting Finger / Toe Nails – With paper-thin nails and ninja like reflexes, cutting their nails is at best super annoying and at worst, hazardous.
Dressing Them – Once again, having to shove body parts into tiny pieces of clothing is no fun at all.
And after you done if left unattended, you may have to start all over again. Or worst they poop right after you feel proud of successfully dressing them.
Feeding Them –When you do finally get them to eat, it’s after several minutes of performing a circus act and pretending to be an airplane as to trick them into thinking they love roti.
Bath Time – One question: Is bath time more for them or for you? Because I, for one, always end up soaked.
Cleaning a Baby’s Neck – You never know what’s lurking in those fat rolls.
Giving Medicine – Most times you’re not able to even get that stupid thing in their mouth since they violently shake their head back and forth. If you do get lucky and they accept the medicine, at least half of the liquid drips down their face and becomes a sticky mess.
Doing Laundry – Every day. 24 /7.
2Leaving The House – Might as well pack a suitcase with all the stuff you need to take, and don’t plan on being on time. Ever. But you know what sucks the most? Leaving the house in Winter.
Bedtime Routines – water, pee, story, cuddle, water, pee, water, another story, cuddle, more water and finally if you’re lucky – sleep.
Cutting Food Into a Thousand Pieces – Most pieces end up on the floor or wedged into a crevice in the high chair.
Brushing Teeth – They usually swallow the toothpaste before a single tooth gets brushed and splash water everywhere.
My bathroom often looks like a public restroom once they’re done.
Wiping Their Nose – The snot usually ends up all over their face and they act like you’re trying to kill them.
I’m wiping your snot kid – calm down.
Helping With Homework – This only tends to make me feel stupid. Who remembers this crap? Plus, what’s with all the projects a kid has to do now? I’m not that creative, nor do I strive to be.
Worrying – I’m afraid this one will never go away. All I can do is hope my decisions and actions now will keep them out of therapy in the future.
One or two of these tasks would be manageable, however as parents we endure most of them everyday. I, for one, welcome my kid’s independence and looked forward to the day when they wiped up their own pee – without my help.
Our kids are going to push our buttons. Sometimes, we will be like volcanoes exploding after centuries of dormancy. We will have to learn patience. They are going to make us mad.
Not because they are bad kids.
Not because they are spoiled kids.
But… because they are kids.
Instead of letting the inconveniences and frustrations of the early years make you angry, think about the good. Focus on the cute moments. Know this season is fleeting. Expect the unexpected, and embrace the childish moments. Soon enough… they won’t be children anymore.