How Real Moms Keep Up

I have a confession. I’m terrible at following through when it comes to my children.

This is not to be confused with being lazy. It’s impossible for me to be lazy, no matter how hard I try.

There is just so much that I could or should be doing for my kids that I can never keep up.

There is just so much that I could or should be doing for my kids that I can never keep up.

I am proactive about acquiring knowledge. I am up on all the latest research. I’m a webinar addict. I’ve attended countless conferences on how to be the best parent I can to my three children.

The oldest is 5 and has Down syndrome, so I have binders of materials and shelves full of tools dedicated to help him. All of those techniques are useful for my typically developing 3-year-old and 8-month-old as well.

Every time I learn something new, I get excited. I tell myself this is it, this time I’m going to go home and do all of these wonderful things they’re telling me will help my children reach their full potential.

Related: How Stressed Moms Fight Back

But learning and doing are two separate things.

I get home, tools in hand, and … NOTHING.

Life happens. We go to the playground. We head to a doctor’s appointment. They go to school. We hang out at the library. I tell myself we’ll try another day. And we might. But then something else comes up, and it never becomes routine.

We have bins of crafts supplies that rarely leave the closet. I have books full of fun activities that never get opened. I have a list of things I should be signing them up for — swim lessons, gymnastics classes, music therapy. But the idea of following through and trying to get three kids to these activities seems daunting. It’s a source of tremendous guilt, a constant reminder that I’m not doing enough.

I have a list of things I should be signing them up for — swim lessons, gymnastics classes, music therapy.

And when I do try to do some of those recommended activities that are considered so pivotal to our children’s development, they create stress. Play-Doh ends up embedded in the carpet or lodged in mouths. My great idea of the kids making their dad homemade birthday cards ended with me wiping paint off every table, chair, and wall in their vicinity because they went rogue.

Related: Two Kids Born in a Row

What’s a mom to do? Go with the flow is all I know!

Truth is — the kids could not care less if they’re at the zoo or at the playground. So why not do what’s easiest? If crafts just create stress, why not just leave them locked in the closet? I prioritize their health and safety.

And even though I’m not following the instructions of all of those parenting experts — my kids seem to be developing just fine.