When I stepped into the role of a parent, I unwittingly signed up for a multitude of responsibilities—none of which came with a manual. As I navigate this journey, I’ve discovered some roles I truly cherish, like Memory Keeper and Cuddle Coordinator. However, there are also plenty of less glamorous tasks, such as Diaper Duty and Barf Catcher. Luckily, my kids have no frame of reference for anything else; otherwise, they might just replace me for incompetence.
I might not excel as a Chef, but I’ve surprisingly found my niche as a Hair Stylist—even if my little clients often end up in tears. While I deserve a medal for my search-and-rescue missions, punctuality as a Chauffeur? That’s not my strong suit.
However, the role I absolutely refuse to take on is that of the Entertainer. Sure, I can read bedtime stories with amusing accents or join in on our family’s ’80s dance parties, and yes, those moments are probably entertaining. Yet, it is not my obligation to be their perpetual source of amusement. Frankly, I’m just not skilled at pretending all the time.
I have no intention of acquiring that skill, either. Trying to be their constant source of entertainment would require me to fake enthusiasm continuously. I can endure assembling a puzzle with my 5-year-old for about 30 minutes before I’m ready to toss it all aside in frustration. I can imitate a baby kitten for a mere 20 seconds before I succumb to boredom and fall into a nap myself.
I’m all for going on hikes, but I can’t participate in their intricate games of trolls and wizards the entire time—my acting skills just don’t cut it. Plus, deviating from the script is highly frowned upon, and the little directors tend to get quite upset.
I’m the mom who packs up bikes and sandwiches for an adventure. I’ll help them construct a fort, but playing in it? No, thanks. I’ll set out the Play-Doh ingredients and encourage them to use all the kitchen tools they want, but I won’t partake in the mess. I’ll bring home gigantic cardboard boxes and hand them markers, but the actual rocket ship construction? That’s on them.
I open the door to our backyard and tell them they’re on their own until lunch. I believe in giving them ample space, time, and materials, but I won’t spoon-feed them instructions. They need to figure it out.
I wholeheartedly support boredom, as it’s in those moments that creativity flourishes. Sometimes, it inspires them to create dazzling tiaras out of toilet paper rolls. Other times, it leads to less advisable adventures like hanging off the deck—but hey, cause-and-effect is a vital lesson too.
If my kids rely solely on me for fun and excitement, they won’t learn how to cultivate their own joy. I would be disheartened if I had never discovered how to create my own fun. It would be unfair to rob them of those experiences and the valuable lessons that come with boredom, so I refuse to do so.
As a parent, my priority is to prepare my kids for adulthood. I want them to develop into individuals who are enjoyable to be around—those imaginative little quirks who think outside the box and embrace ideas that others deem impossible. The ones who challenge the norm and feel confident sharing their innovative thoughts.
So, no, despite the myriad of responsibilities I have taken on as a parent, I will not take on the role of their entertainer. However, I’m wholeheartedly committed to being their Futures Analyst.
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Summary:
As a parent, I embrace various roles, but I refuse to be my children’s constant source of entertainment. I believe in the importance of boredom and self-discovery, allowing my kids to cultivate their creativity and independence. My focus is on preparing them for adulthood and fostering their imaginative, unique qualities.