Reasons I'm the Worst Parent
I left a piece of paper on the kitchen counter with this title on it and when I came back my wife had bullet pointed 12 reasons for me.
Ok, not really. However, my kids do often try and make my wife or me feel like we’re the worst parents in the history of child-rearing. Most kids go through a stage, usually around 2 or 3-years-old, where they will have meltdowns or throw fits for little to no reason.
However, and particularly in the case of our current 2-year-old, they may also go through a stage where they emote and direct all their dissatisfaction at the parents for even the most reasonable requests, directions, or restrictions.
For example:
Ok, not really. However, my kids do often try and make my wife or me feel like we’re the worst parents in the history of child-rearing. Most kids go through a stage, usually around 2 or 3-years-old, where they will have meltdowns or throw fits for little to no reason.
However, and particularly in the case of our current 2-year-old, they may also go through a stage where they emote and direct all their dissatisfaction at the parents for even the most reasonable requests, directions, or restrictions.
For example:
- I’m the worst parent because I told the 2-year-old he wasn’t born five years ago
- My wife is the worst parent because she made French toast for breakfast for all the boys.\\
- I’m the worst parent because I wouldn’t take the training wheels off the 2-year-old’s bike - that he doesn’t know how to ride.
- My wife is the worst parent because she wouldn't let the toddler eat an apple that was covered in ants.
As you can see there’s no logic or reason involved in these reactions. And even the nicest, best thing (French toast for crying out loud!) is fodder for the fire that is a kid throwing a tantrum. There are entire websites dedicated to toddlers having meltdowns for silly reasons.
However, there’s another side to all this though. Spoiled kids overreacting to not getting their way, however unreasonable that may be, is a problem but it’s typically just a phase. But, if you put the shoe on the other foot, kids might call out parents for equally silly overreactions.
Don’t get me wrong, parents and kids aren’t on the same level. But, if 3-year-olds could make a website dedicated to parents’ overreactions or meltdowns would some of the examples look like this?
However, there’s another side to all this though. Spoiled kids overreacting to not getting their way, however unreasonable that may be, is a problem but it’s typically just a phase. But, if you put the shoe on the other foot, kids might call out parents for equally silly overreactions.
Don’t get me wrong, parents and kids aren’t on the same level. But, if 3-year-olds could make a website dedicated to parents’ overreactions or meltdowns would some of the examples look like this?
- I’m the worst kid because I spilled my cup of milk.
- I’m the worst kid because I didn’t respond when called by my brother’s name.
- I’m the worst kid because I left a wet bath towel on my bed
- I’m the worst kid because I put the toys in the wrong storage bin.
No parent is actually saying this to their kids, but if you’re being truthful, this probably stings a little. Because odds are you’ve overreacted to some similar trifle like it was the end of the world.
Turns out the fit throwing might not be grown out of as fast as I thought.