Last night, I tossed aside a book I had hoped would be entertaining, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me. I came across it at a flea market, thinking it would be a delightful summer read set in my beloved Maine, filled with captivating characters. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. After slogging through a third of it, I simply couldn’t endure the tedious plot or unlikable characters any longer. My time is precious as a busy mom of three little ones, and there are just too many great books out there to waste my time on the not-so-great ones.
In my pre-motherhood days, I often forced myself to finish books that didn’t resonate with me, feeling an odd sense of obligation to be fair to the author or to have an opinion on the latest bestseller. But now, with the whirlwind of parenting, I’ve realized there are several things I used to tolerate that I simply won’t anymore:
- Poorly Written Books: You have a limited number of pages to catch my attention, so don’t waste them on pointless details like the contents of someone’s beach bag.
- Subpar Coffee: By “bad coffee,” I mean anything that doesn’t suit my taste. In my younger days, I’d settle for whatever was cheap and convenient. Now, I need my coffee to fuel my day, and I have standards. Weak? No thanks. Bitter? Hard pass. Smooth and robust? Yes, please!
- Snobbery: I don’t care about the size of your house, the brand of your shoes, or your travel destinations. If you’re kind and open-minded, let’s be friends.
- Stiff Jeans: Regular jeans without a hint of stretch? The absolute worst! I need clothes that support me like a good friend, not ones that pinch and squeeze.
- Inexpensive Underwear: Gone are the days of cheap bras and knock-off shapewear. After carrying twins and another baby, I need quality undergarments that provide real support—I’m willing to cut back on other areas (yes, Target t-shirts, I’m looking at you) to invest in this.
- Artificial Ingredients: I crave real food with genuine flavors. Fake butter, cheese, or sugar? No way! I want the real deal, full of taste and nourishment.
- Cleaning for the Sake of Cleaning: My grandmother was a fan of ironing, and my mom followed suit, but I? I can’t remember the last time I used an iron. If it’s not in plain sight, it’s probably not getting cleaned. I’d rather spend that time playing with my kids or diving into a good book.
- Body Image Concerns: One surprising perk of having three kids in two years is my newfound indifference toward my body shape. I used to obsess over comparing myself to others, but now I realize my body has important jobs to do, and its appearance doesn’t define my worth. It’s liberating, especially with three little girls looking up to me.
- Guilt Over Others’ Happiness: It was surprisingly easy to let this one go. I’ve come to understand that it’s unrealistic to make everyone happy all the time, especially when I have my own needs to take care of.
- Uncomfortable Shoes: I’ve always loved stylish shoes, but comfort is now my top priority. I can’t be chasing after toddlers if I can’t feel my toes!
Motherhood has certainly tested my limits, but it has also empowered me to set clear boundaries. While I may tolerate the chaos of kids’ songs and nighttime snuggles, I’ve confidently decided what I won’t accept, and that feels great.
For those considering their own journey into motherhood, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and for at-home options, Cryobaby or Babymaker might be worth a look.
In summary, becoming a mom has reshaped my outlook on life, prompting me to prioritize what truly matters and letting go of the unnecessary.
Keyphrase: Things I won’t tolerate as a mom
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