I used to believe that misbehaving kids were clear indicators of poor parenting. Surely, their parents were oblivious to the proper ways of raising children. (Oh, how I wish I could go back and give my past self a reality check!) Now, I’ve come to realize that these kids were just being typical children, and their parents were likely just as bewildered by their antics as I was.
- Tantrums. What on earth led me to believe that parents could quell a toddler’s tantrum in the heat of the moment? It’s like trying to halt a freight train. An incredibly loud freight train that comes out of nowhere, and all you can do is brace yourself and hold on as it zooms by. You might whisper soothing words in an attempt to calm it down, but let’s face it—it’s a freight train. Good luck with that.
- Whining. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve told my kids, “I can’t understand you when you whine”—probably around 5,273,926 times, give or take. Kids whine not because it yields results, but because they enjoy the sound of their own whiny voices. And let’s not forget the influence of shows like Caillou.
- Ignoring Conversations. Two of my children have mastered the art of not responding, despite countless reminders that ignoring someone is rude. One seems to hold entire conversations in her mind, unaware that her words never actually leave her mouth. The other? He just opts for the silent treatment unless he has something to say. Shyness can be a tricky thing.
- Sleep Struggles. On some nights, our youngest can lie in the dark for over two hours without sleeping—no exaggeration! He’ll talk to himself, sing, and even announce that he’s still awake (like we couldn’t tell). It doesn’t matter how active his day was or how calming our bedtime routine is. The kid is a night owl.
- Volume Control. Some kids simply don’t have an inside voice. Their normal speaking volume can pierce the air, and even their whispers seem loud. It’s impossible to do anything but accept it—short of a muzzle, that is.
- Little White Lies. One of our kids is a natural truth-teller, just like I was. However, our other two have gone through the typical lying phase, despite our consistent emphasis on honesty from an early age. I was shocked the first time one of them fibbed right in front of me. Apparently, it’s a sign of intelligence. Sure, let’s go with that instead of worrying they might become sociopaths.
- Nose-Picking. Every kid I know goes through this phase, and it’s a battle that lasts for years. Sometimes, they sit there with their fingers stuck up their nostrils without even moving them. Just gross.
- Handwashing After Bathroom Visits. We incorporated handwashing into potty training from day one—singing songs about germs and the whole shebang. Yet, it took six or seven years for them to routinely remember to wash their hands independently. I can now proudly add “expert hand-smeller” to my list of skills.
- Chewing with Their Mouths Open. CHOMP. CHOMP. CHOMP. “Please chew with your mouth closed.” Ten seconds pass. CHOMP. CHOMP. “Honey, seriously, you have to stop chewing with your mouth open. It’s not polite!” And yet… CHOMP. CHOMP. It’s like talking to a brick wall.
- All the Other Gross Things. Recently, I found my child’s filthy socks on the kitchen counter at a friend’s house. Yes, my older-than-a-decade child. What do you even say to that? Picture a well-raised kid peeing on his brother’s toothbrush—yep, that happened. Or my five-year-old licking every handrail at Disney World. I’m not even a germaphobe, but that made me queasy. There are just so many gross things!
Do we teach our children these behaviors? No. Do they pick them up elsewhere? Possibly. Do we do our utmost to guide them otherwise? Absolutely. But it’s clear that raising well-adjusted, socially competent humans takes at least 18 years. Fingers crossed!
For more on your parenting journey, check out this helpful resource on donor insemination, or explore home insemination kits for your own journey. And if you’re interested in intracervical insemination, this couples’ fertility journey is a great authority on the subject.
In summary, parenting can be a wild ride filled with unexpected challenges and behaviors you never thought you’d encounter. Embrace the chaos, laugh at the absurdity, and remember—you’re not alone.
Keyphrase: parenting challenges
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]