- Real Life Stories
9 Honest Confessions of How I’m An Imperfect Mummy
Confession: I’m An Imperfect Mummy.
Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a Mum. I had no big dreams of any type of career and found myself a bit lost as to what to do with myself once I left school. All I could think about was when I was going to find my Husband and how soon after could we start a family!
I didn’t have to wait too long as I met my Husband just 2 years later when I was just 20 years old and we had our first child Isaiah when I was 28.
Considering all I ever wanted was to be a Mum I never considered that I would be anything other than perfect at it. I knew how I wanted to do it and couldn’t see any reason why it would be any different! In saying this I also knew that there was only so much I could plan and dream about for my little family before knowing what it was like to really be a Mum.
I think one of the biggest shocks all new Mums experience is that a lot of their intended plans and rules turn out to be unrealistic or just plain ridiculous! The sweet idea of bedtime being a relaxing bath, followed by a nice massage in a dimly lit room, gentle music playing in the background, putting soft pyjamas on your baby while he sweetly smiles up at you, a nice cuddle, a sweet lullaby sung in their ear before placing them in their cot, saying goodnight and walking out to let your baby drift off to a quiet sleep is for most parents only ever a dream!
If you like this Imperfect Mummy post then also check out this one: When It’s Ok For A “Mums Fail”
Sometimes I look at my boys and wonder if I am being a good enough Mum for them. A few nights ago I asked Isaiah who is now 5 if he thought I was a good Mum. He looked at me puzzled and a little sad, put his arms around my neck and said yes. He then asked me why I had asked him that which made me realise that our kids don’t ever consider whether we are being a good Mum or not, as long as we are getting a good chunk of the parenting stuff right we are doing ok!
From that moment I decided to stop worrying so much about all the things I do wrong and instead focus on just trying my best and being happy with that. So here it is, my confessions of how I am an Imperfect Mummy!
Sometimes my kids will go nearly a week without a bath!
I know, I started with a big one! With the battle of dinner, feeding 5 month old Hudson and getting him to bed plus getting Isaiah and 3 year old Flinn to bed, sometimes it gets to 7 o’clock and I realise it’s too late for a bath.
They generally only brush their teeth once a day.
When Isaiah started school back in February I made the rule that both he and Flinn had to brush their teeth along with a few other small chores before they were allowed any screen time (more on that below!) Yeah, that lasted about 2 weeks. In the mad rush of the morning “Brush your teeth” is something that is regularly yelled out but I’m pretty sure it conveniently for them goes unheard.
They have pre – packaged chicken nuggets or fish fingers at least once a week.
The constant battle of dinner time means that I reach for the pre – packaged nuggets or fish fingers more often than I should. I know, I know, I should at least be making them myself and in my defence when I have a free weekend I do sometimes stock up the freezer with some homemade goodness but honestly, who wants to spend a rare free weekend in the kitchen?
I’m too lazy to start Hudson on solids.
I remember with Isaiah that every new stage in his development I was so keen and excited to jump in and start something new. That really is a first child thing though. I’m pretty sure with Flinn I started him on Solids at around 4 months and with Hudson I am really not keen. First of all it only feels like he was born 5 minutes ago, not 5 months and second, the older two starting the messy eating stage in Summer so I would just plonk them in the high chair in just a nappy however it’s really getting cold here now so I know we will be looking at multiple outfit changes a day, totally selfish of me I know. I am really starting to feel a bit guilty about this one so will start him soon, I promise.
If you like this post then check out Embracing Mothers Guilt -Why I’m Ok With It by Little Peeps Eats.
I’m teaching them to be late all the time.
I am really really trying to change this one. I have noticed a lot lately that no matter how organised I try and be I am often rushing them out the door and yelling that the bell is about to go so hurry up! It’s stressful and simply leads to arguing and tears. Punctuality is an important life skill so I need to teach them well and get my butt into gear a bit better.
I stopped laying with them while they fall asleep.
When I was pregnant with Hudson I used to put Flinn to bed first and would have to lay with him while he fell asleep. This could sometimes take up to an hour meaning that Isaiah wouldn’t go to bed until really late. This obviously wasn’t fair plus meant that by the time I got them both asleep (I would have to lie with Isaiah until he was asleep too) it was nearly my bedtime. I really need that Child free time after they go to bed so found this really hard. So, when Hudson was born and they had to move into the same room I made a rule that they had to fall asleep on their own. They weren’t happy about this and the Mumma guilt was high however a few months on I actually think they both fall asleep a lot quicker now than if I was in there.
They have way too much screen time.
OK, this is probably one of my worst confessions of being an Imperfect Mummy and I am really not proud of it. I am not even going to admit to how much time they sometimes spend in front of a screen but it happens. It’s just so easy to get distracted when they are being entertained and I am able to get so much done. I will admit though the more they are on it the more irritable they get and the more they argue so again, another one I am really going to have to get a hold of.
Check out this post by “Somewhere Between”: Finding Ways To Enforce Less Screen Time At Home.
They play video games that involve shooting other players.
So, this one kind of happened by accident and looking back I should have looked into it better and maybe not trusted my 5 year old when he assured me it wasn’t violent in any way.
They only eat 1 type of vegetable.
The constant battle with getting kids to eat their veggies. I know I won’t be alone in this right?
They are my confessions of how I’m an Imperfect Mummy, anyone else brave enough to share one or two of their own? Leave a comment below or share this post with another Imperfect Mummy!
Comments (6)
Sharon Chen
June 4, 2018 at 11:09 pm
You’re doing great, mama! Always remember that 🙂 Realistic parenting that you show in your blog is really helpful for first time parents.
ImperfectMummy
June 7, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Aww thanks so much Sharon <3
Keating
June 5, 2018 at 12:03 am
I learned the other day that I’m an imperfect mom for letting my toddler play in the grass barefoot *gasp!* hahahaha but no, seriously. I had a mom the other day tell me my toddler shouldn’t be playing in the grass because it’s dangerous. It was easily the oddest thing I had ever heard lol but I don’t look at any of these as being imperfections at all! I always do what’s best for my daughter regardless of how other moms may do it in their own homes. Every child and family is so different.
ImperfectMummy
June 7, 2018 at 1:03 pm
That is so strange especially as playing on the grass barefoot is actually incredibly beneficial for your little ones health (by what is called grounding!) You are absolutely right, every family is different x
Patricia
June 5, 2018 at 12:33 am
My kids get too much screen time too, they probably eat sandwiches or nuggets for dinner 2-3x a week, and I lose my patience with them far too often!! Ugh! It’s tough but I appreciate your honesty so much!!
ImperfectMummy
June 7, 2018 at 12:43 pm
It’s great to know it’s not just me 🙂