It is often said that one’s true character emerges during challenging times. If this holds any truth, then my journey in parenting has often left me feeling as though I am woefully inadequate.
On a recent Sunday morning, I walked into our hallway to discover a puddle of water on our recently refinished wooden floors. Upon investigating, I found that my son had caused a toilet overflow. (And they say women use a lot of toilet paper!)
If this incident were to reveal my character, I would have to admit that it showcased a stressed, overwhelmed parent who is not fond of dealing with such messes. I wish I could say that I calmly searched for a plunger (which, it turns out, we didn’t possess) and guided my children in resolving the situation.
Unfortunately, I did not handle it with grace. Instead, I raised my voice, demanding towels that were in the wash, and let out a series of expletives that even surprised me.
While en route to the store to buy a plunger, I messaged my partner, Alex, at work: “One of the kids overflowed the toilet again. Can’t find the plunger. Heading to the store.”
His reply? A lighthearted “LOL.” I chose not to respond; I didn’t find humor in the situation and didn’t want to exacerbate my frustration with sarcasm. My mother always taught me that if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all, so I opted for silence.
After addressing the toilet disaster and cleaning up the chaos, we somehow made it to church on time. From the outside, we appeared composed. No one was aware of the turmoil we had just endured. Yet deep down, I felt as though I was failing at parenting.
Following the service, a kind gentleman approached me, commenting on what wonderful children I have and attributing their character to effective parenting. As he walked away, I watched my kids playing happily and couldn’t help but feel emotional.
In that moment of perceived failure, someone else recognized the positive outcomes of my parenting efforts. Perfection is not the goal; some days, it feels like merely staying afloat is an achievement. Each new day presents an opportunity for growth and learning. In our most significant failures, we often find chances to impart valuable lessons—even if they come at our own expense. If we believed we were excelling at parenting all the time, we might miss the important lessons that help us grow into better parents.
Parenting is undeniably challenging, and at times, it can feel overwhelming, but that doesn’t define our worth as parents.
For those interested in alternative parenting methods, you can explore the benefits of home insemination kits like the BabyMaker at Home Insemination Kit found at Make a Mom. For those seeking comprehensive guidance on fertility and home insemination, the CryoBaby At Home Insemination Kit is another excellent resource available at Make a Mom. Additionally, the Cleveland Clinic provides valuable insights on pregnancy and fertility in their podcast series, which you can access here.
In summary, parenting is filled with ups and downs, and it is essential to embrace both our successes and our failures. These experiences shape us and provide opportunities for growth.
Keyphrase: parenting failures
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]