What’s it like being in the trenches of parenthood? Here are some moments that really make me feel like I belong to the sisterhood of Mommies (and brotherhood of Daddies).
You know you’re a parent when…
- You can clean up poop and pee without flinching or making a face.
- You are super relieved that you caught your baby’s vomit in your shirt instead of letting it hit the floor or furniture.
- You go to work and realize hours later that your toddler has wiped their snot nose, strawberry jelly mouth, orange juice, etc… on the front of your shirt on your way out the door that morning and left a stain.
- You get to work and realize that you are wearing two different shoes, two different socks, or two different earrings. (Yes. All three have happened to me!)
- Slobbery, snotty kisses from your young toddler make you smile and laugh.
- You have the theme song of Elena of Avalor (insert any kids TV show, movie, or song here) stuck in your head all day long.
- You’ve been driving down the road without your kids for at least 10 minutes before you realize that you are listening and singing along to a kids music CD.
- You are constantly using phrases from your kids’ electronic toys and TV shows in your everyday speech.
- Time to yourself means going to the grocery store alone.
- Your opinion of staying up late is any time after 9:00 P.M.
- You get up at 7:00 A.M. on a Saturday and truly feel like you slept in.
- Speed and efficiency become the hallmarks of lovemaking with your spouse.
- When you go to the movies, it is to see an animated film by Disney or Dreamworks.
- You would welcome a gift card to McDonalds as a Christmas or birthday present because it has now become the restaurant you frequent most often.
- Your hugs and kisses have the power to take away pain and hurt feelings.
- You are up all night holding a sick baby or child and still go to work the next day.
- You realize that you can function just fine on approximately 4 hours of sleep.
- You have both kids, your husband, and at least one dog sleeping in bed with you.
- Your kids are dressed amazingly well, and you are still wearing the same clothes you had 3 or more years ago.
- You stop dressing up for church and start wearing jeans.
- You would go out on a date or with friends regardless of how sick or tired you feel on the nights your kids are at grandma’s house.
- You have a great time on a Friday night playing the Frozen Matching Game with your 3 year old and dancing in the living room with your toddler.
- You can do dishes, clean the house, use the bathroom, and put on your make-up one-armed with a baby on your hip.
- You and your husband have come up with fake curse words instead of using the real ones.
- Every night at dinner, you have to reheat your food because you are catering to the constant requests of your kids. (Can I have more ketchup? Can I have more milk? The baby threw her drink. The baby is throwing food to the dogs. Can I have a paper-towel? Can I have more salad? Can you put more cheese on this please? Infinity….)
- You constantly have kids or pets climbing all over you.
- You never get to use the bathroom alone. (Kids and dogs feel the need to keep you company in the facilities.)
- Stain-resistant becomes a very important feature in all household purchases (carpet, paint, and furniture).
- Your purse is full of snacks, Germ-X, and wet wipes.
- Your entire daily exercise routine is carrying around a baby and picking up toys.
- You put yourself last and the needs of your family first.
- You know Nature Cat, Sheriff Callie, Sophia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake the Neverland Pirate, and Daniel Tiger.
Q: Can you add any good parenting moments to this list that I missed?