Have you ever been looking for something, and totally unable to find it? We’ve all done that, I know. But let’s take that a step further. Have you ever been unable to find something you were looking for, and blamed your children? We’ve all probably done that, too. After all, kids wander around with stuff, put it down in some strange place, and can’t ever seem to remember quite where that was. Now let’s take it a step further, still. Have you ever blamed your children for losing something, and launched into a mini-tirade in the face of their denial that left everyone miserable, only to later find the lost object right where you left it?
I haven’t, either. That would be seriously unattractive, plus it would undermine my parental credibility. I would never do that. In fact, here’s a whole list of things I would never do.
I would never ignore my son’s complaints about the wind on his face, just for a photo op.
Things I Would Never Do
- I would never, ever let my kids eat candy just to stop the whining. Haven’t you heard about the childhood obesity epidemic?
- Of course I would never say bad words in front of my children, and then have to explain to them that it’s not considered socially acceptable for six-year-olds to say certain things in public. I don’t even know any bad words, myself.
- You know me well enough, I hope, to know that I would never hide in the bathroom and play video games on my iPhone when I should be making dinner. Healthy meals are important for children’s development.
- I would certainly never deny my children’s requests to do a craft activity, because it sounds like too much work for me. Nurturing their creativity is so important.
- You would never see me pushing one of my children out of the way because I can do the puzzle / build the train tracks / organize the doll house better. Even though I can.
- I would never pretend that I couldn’t find a certain book, just because I don’t want to read it yet again. I understand that while the repetition might be boring to me, it’s important for young minds.
- I would absolutely never take a pass on bath night because I’m not in the mood to wash a cranky, protesting three-year-old. After all, cleanliness is next to godliness, as everyone knows.
Okay, so maybe I would do some of these things – or all of these things. Maybe I’m not a perfect mother, after all. In fact, maybe I’m just bad enough that my children can see that I cut myself a little slack from time to time. That’s worth violating a few I would nevers, don’t you think?
Tell me, what would you never, ever do? I’d love to hear!
I would never do any of those things, either. Nope, not even once. Or all the time.
C @ Kid Things’s last post … An Answer
Oh, I’d never declare a -5 C, clear and sunny day a “cartoon day” because I’m tired and have an earache.
I’d also never give her frozen yogurt for breakfast because it’s the only thing she’ll deign to eat and I know she’s hungry.
Oh and I’d never bribe her to stay in the buggy while I’m shopping by promising a cookie when we’re done at Superstore (they give them out free in the bakery to kids under 10).
No, I’d never, ever do that. Ever.
Nicole’s last post … November and my Social Media State of Discontent
I would never change the words as I’m reading a story because the story is just so badly written. Or put the Star Wars easy readers out of reach so that we can’t take them out of the library.
And I would never pretend I can’t smell a bad smell so that someone else has to deal with the mess.
And I would never, ever, wait until my children are occupied or asleep so that I can just make the damn cookies myself without them HELPING.
The cookie thing made me laugh out loud. Not that I’ve ever done that.
WOW that was awesome!!! =) Big laughs. I would never… Allow my kids to cheat and watch more tv/computer games after the timer goes off JUST BECAUSE they are quiet and I can have more time to myself…
I would never, ever, in a million years let my kids leave the house without brushing their hair.
Alison @ Bluebirdmama’s last post … Making the Switch to Natural Toys
I would never, EVER sneak in a piece of Halloween candy while my kids are off playing and then moments later deny them a piece of Halloween candy when they request it.
For chocolate is never, ever therapeutic for parents.
And hypocrisy is very, very unbecoming.
I would NEVER NEVER do all of the above. Except on days that end in Y.
TheFeministBreeder’s last post … Guest Post: Raising Feminists in an Anti-Feminist World
I would never, ever, say “because I said so” when my kids ask me why they can’t do/can’t have something or to do something they don’t want to. I heard it enough growing up. I think kids deserve an explanation. It makes their decision making skills better as they get older, and helps them see where you are coming from.
If there is one thing I have been waiting for it is the endless “why?” questions…I know….Most parents dread it, I can’t wait for the teaching opportunities
Danger!! I said that, too!!! Now I detest the why stage…
Melissa Vose’s last post … Aren’t we good enough?
I would never skip nap time during the stanley cup playoffs so the child would be asleep by gametime instead of up through 1/2 of it. Or if they did nap, I would never have them fall asleep camping style with me on the floor of the family room in front of the huge TV with the game on. Nope, that didn’t happen for 2 months this spring. Go Bruins
I would never intentionally hide good chocolate, cookies or other desserts from my children. Nor would I bring out said treats AFTER they go to bed. But I would do every damn thing on your list!
Great, true stuff for sure!
Annie P’s last post … Simplicity: Party Prep
I would never pretend to be asleep when my 5 year old wakes up at 5am.
I would never insist there are no Peanut Butter Cups in the treat cupboard (when there were still 4 left).
I would never “accidentally” break the noise maker in a toy dear to my son’s heart.
I would never, ever declare pajama day because I just didn’t feel like doing laundry the night before.
I would never, ever undermine what their father said when he’s been home for 2 minutes & I’ve listened to the whining/crying/fighting for 12 agonizing hours.
I would never, ever turn on the tv or put in a movie just so they would stop fighting for 15 minutes.
I would never, ever use nursing the baby as an excuse why their father had to deal with whatever crisis was causing the fight or tears in the other room.
I would never hide in the kitchen eating a cupcake so that I didn’t have to share it with my three year old daughter. Nope.
I would never pretend that I can’t find the type of batteries that my kid’s Tickle Me Elmo doll uses. Those D batteries…they’re so hard to find!
I would never mumble swear words under my breath while driving, leading my 4-year-old to ask, “Mommy, what’s an asshole?”
Nope…I’d never do any of the sort of things you listed. Except maybe once or twice or a dozen times.
Oh Amber. You’re the bomb. Each item I read I became more excited. I love hearing how other mothers cope with the stress of raising children AND getting their own needs met. It’s such a dirty little secret sometimes!
I’m definitely with the others who’ve already commented. I’d never do any of those things you’ve mentioned or any they’ve mentioned because that’s the kind of mother I am! I especially would never take my son over to the grandparents 2 hours early so I could go home for a nap alone.
Jessica – This is Worthwhile’s last post … Honey, your boobs are in the way: Turkeys die virgin parents
OMG I love this. I have a whole LIST of these myself but let me just add a few:
I would NEVER give my kid juice, especially when there is water to be drank, even if I do dilute is 90/10 and it makes her very very happy and much less angry at me and tends to stop the whining and thrown cups.
I would NEVER allow my child to eat dinner in front of the television while I lay on the couch, because eating as a family is REALLY important and even if eating with her means I don’t get to eat anything since I’m too busy tending to her needs, I would still never let her eat in the family room.
I would NEVER let my kid dictate what’s on the menu today because a well balanced meal is of utmost importance and mac & cheese every other night is simply unacceptable. She always eats fresh prepared and completely healthy meals because I totally have the time to cook a plethora of things for her to try, and I never get upset or cry when she throws all my hard work on the floor.
Ya so, I could go on for days about this. Great post!!
Babe_Chilla’s last post … Working Moms Need Sex Too!