Parenting is a journey. We start out very fresh, bright eyed and innocent. Our first baby, or babies in my case, come along and we have never been more careful, conscientious, and consumed with anything in our whole lives. As we get a little more seasoned and add a few more babies to the mix, we have no choice but to loosen up. We’ve learned more, we’ve relaxed, and we’ve learned to trust our parenting skills enough to not lose our mind over every little mishap. We understand we won’t be perfect parents and we don’t have perfect kids, and we just have to go with the flow.
I consider myself to be a very good mother, and I have at least 3 tiny witnesses that I believe will back me up. I’ve always been a fairly laid back mom, but here are 15 ways I’ve changed since my first two were born and we added a third.
1. Freak out if they so much as reach for something that touched the floor? Not only do I let them eat off the floor, I prefer it. Its going to end up there anyway so let’s just cut out the middle man.
2. (Along with number 1) Die over every repulsive thing they put in their mouth? The list of disgusting things my boys have found on the floor and put in their mouth is too great, and too embarrassing to list. A few items include a centipede, poop, a gold fish from the play ground, and a cigarette butt in the parking lot. A small piece of me does still die, but I dig down deep, remember they’re boys, wash it out with milk and move on!
Please don’t call CPS….I really am a good mom!
3. Hand washing and sterilizing every little thing?
No ma’am! There is no time, and it builds immunity anyway! We wash when necessary and that is all.
4. Grossed out by puke, poop, or spit up?
Warrior up! Nothing grosses me out…. I’ve grabbed poop with my bare hands, caught floating turds in the bath tub, had throw up shot directly inside my mouth, been peed on…the list is endless. Bring it on boys!
5. Afraid to bring anyone out in public? This one never slowed me down much but I did have anxiety at times. Now? Load em up, move em out! We’ve got places to go!!
6. New outfit every time they spit up? Are you kidding!? Either keep him naked or just make it a personal challenge to see how gross the shirt can get before you’re forced to change it. The child doesn’t care, why should you!?
7. Only whole foods diet for my angels? Have you tried to feed toddlers!?!? I’m happy if they just get in anything besides crackers and milk.
8. No tv, or very limited?
Ok…! I owe much of my sanity to Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Mickey Mouse, and Dora. Thank you all for your love and dedication to entertaining and educating my precious peanuts so I can ever shower, exercise, or pee in peace.
9. Tending to every single peep and cry?
I still do this mostly, but if it’s 3 am…we’re waiting it out to see how serious they are. If it’s not the bad cry, I trust they can work it out themselves. Mama needs a few minutes of sleep!
10. Change the diaper every time there’s a pee drop that hits it?
Again, Are you kidding me!? I already go through at least 20 diapers a day. An extra pee or two in there won’t kill ya! I have to practically wrestle them to the ground to change a poopy diaper anyway. If you love snuggling poop with your tiny tuckus, please, don’t let mom stand in your way!
11. Wake the baby if he pooped in his sleep?
No!
12. Call the doctor for every little whim? Luckily I have a Mom who is a DNP, so Dr. Gigi does still get lots of calls and “come check this”s, but that doctor’s office won’t see us unless a body part has fallen off or we’re dying. And even then, it’s questionable because Dr. Gigi can handle all of that! And really, who has time for doctor’s offices anyway?
13. Can’t go anywhere because the cherub must be in bed by 8 o’clock on the dot?
Well, this has never been me! I think routine is important and I do stick to the same bedtime routine every single night regardless of what time it happens. But I’m not going to never go anywhere with my boys because of a strict bedtime. This may change as they get older, but for now, I love that they are flexible and able to go with the flow. If we go to bed later, they sleep later the next day! If not, then I get less sleep, and whatever… I don’t get much sleep with the little guy anyway, so what’s a few extra lost hours!?
14. Constant anxiety about where they’re playing, what they’re playing with, and how they’re playing with it? As long as no one is screaming or choking, (and I am close by to rescue anyone if need be) we’re good.
15. Lose sleep watching them sleep?
Mmm….sometimes, but mostly, NO! They’re precious, but in the morning, they’ll still be just as precious! We all need some freaking sleep!
Now I know this list makes me sound like an awful, careless, negligent mother. Don’t judge me! If you have more than one baby, and even if your one baby is just a little older, I think you’ll understand it’s possible to still be a good mom while loosening the strings just a tad. Is everyone still alive? You’re doing a great job then! 🙂 Parenting is a tough, messy, disgusting job sometimes; but it is equal parts amazing and beautiful. And you have to laugh along the way or you just might lose your sweet mama mind.
The one thing that hasn’t changed is how much I love and live for my babies. In fact, maybe that part has grown even more.
How have you changed throughout your parenting journey?
Three Boys and a Mom 
I have changed a ton between my first and second children! I actually wrote a whole post about it a few weeks ago. You can go on and on about this, because parenting really changes with the stages we are in….and that’s okay! 🙂 Very cute.
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Omg you’re so right…this list could go on for years. And I’m sure it will haha. I’ll check out your post too! 😀
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Love this! I think I’m starting to get better at all this. If a toy falls on the ground or floor, screw it, I’m not sanitizing it EVERY 10 seconds! Spit up or food on clothes, it’s an accessory – rock it girlfriend! Poop, I dealt with blowouts for 3 months straight at least once a day. I got shi*t somewhere on me, my clothes or furniture almost every time. Now, I find my hair in her poop – awesome! So far the best was when she pooped ALL over daddy – nice aim kid! I do the same with the middle of the night crying now, if it aint that bad, cry it out, if it gets “serious”, fine, have my boobs again. Also, love all the pics – especially the naked pool one lol. And the poop. Or chocolate? Mystery mud?
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Haha sue! Love it! Thank you! Yes, the seasoning of motherhood is lovely isn’t it!? Its a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it…and I am so glad I get to! 😃
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Your journey reminds me so much of mine – and it is disgusting and tiresome, but it’s also adventurous and beautiful. Parenting has strengthened my patience and given me thick skin; it’s allowed me to stop a moment and play with a remote control car outside during an NFL game broadcast, and read stories at night when I’m especially sleepy.
I sing more, I yawn more, I ache more, I smile more.
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Love this Eli! Thank you! Yes….motherhood has changed me so much more than this silly list! And I am so grateful! I never thought I’d be so happy to help a child squeeze their poop out or feel so blessed running on 3 hours of sleep with 2-3 boys wrapped around my body! ❤ it’s a wonderful thing, parenthood!
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It’s the most meaningful job I’ve ever had.
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Hands down! Nothing else even comes close!
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It helps to feel that way – I think for some it’s just a burden.
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That always breaks my heart when I see people who view their children as a burden. They’ve missed the point in my opinion.
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When I had my first, I used to have all the onesies rolled up and placed perfectly into the baskets under our changing table. Now, the clothes are barely folded and stuck into a drawer. So much has changed. I can’t imagine having three little ones. I love that pool picture. My son is always naked in the backyard. I gave up trying to keep clothes on him all day.
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Yeah the clothes battle is a wash! (Haha!) these guys would be butt naked all the time If I’d let them. Works for me 😀 but I do worry about them falling when they’re naked outside…..don’t wanna skin any private parts! 😖 I’ve never been excellent at being overly organized, but then again…I went straight to two so I just never got the opportunity haha. Its never been My personality though, so I don’t think it would’ve mattered how many kids I had. I’m organized enough to manage everyone, but not like the pinterest perfect organizer I wish i was. We do what we can! 😃 as long as they know they’re loved, that’s the most important thing.
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As a mom of 3 myself I can so totally relate to this!
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I’m so glad 😀
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I’m a first time mom–can’t wait to see which of these will ring true with #two when & if we have him/her :). This post makes me laugh at my worries!
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Haha thanks Keri! Nothing wrong with worries…they keep our kids safe and from many a horrible event. But you have no choice but to relax some as you add more and they grow and you learn to trust yourself and your child. I’m sure you’re doing an amazing job! ☺
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I love this list. I only have one though. Is it bad that I already do all these things? The only thing I haven’t budged on is the TV watching (minus Sunday football with daddy). haha I wonder how I’ll change with more kids?
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Haha, I don’t think that’s bad at all.,being a laid back mama has saved me from being hospitalized I’m quite sure lol. With these 3 boys I’d be a disaster if I was worried about every tiny mishap. That being said, I do still worry and act like a mom haha. It will be interesting to see how things continue to change as they get older…and how things change for you as you add more and they get older. ☺
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Haha! Absolutely!! Gotta loosen up a bit and laugh at everything! I gotta say, though, that I’m a bit jealous that your kiddos sleep later if they go to bed later…BOTH of mine don’t sleep in, and it does not matter what time they go to bed. Seriously, the latest they have ever woken up is 8, and that was a miracle! (And of course, we needed to be somewhere by 7:30. Ha!) Great list!!
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Oh, it’s always when you need them to be up early That they wanna sleep in! I am extremelynimpressed and lucky to have my twins be the sleepers they are. They’ve slept 12+ hours since 5 months and no,matter when I lay them,down, most of the time they sleep 12 hours…. Midnight, they sleep til noon. Its amazing and the only way I’ve survived my sleepless little guy. I cannot ever complain about them sleeping. Luke on the other hand, is another story haha. Thanks for reading! 😃 it’ll be interesting to see how it all continues to change as they get older!
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I love this! All of them–but #5 really jumps out at me. I remember taking Sonny to the grocery store for the first time when he was about 3 weeks old, and I was a clutch of anxiety. What if he . . . cried or something? 🙂
I got over it.
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Haha! ☺ yeah, that’s a must if you ever want to have a life! Amazing how much changes…and I don’t think it ever stops!
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Wow, I love this post! Thanks for sharing. It makes me wonder what my life would be like with 3 kids haha.
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Oh it’s a never ending bucket of laughs and fun! ☺ I’d highly recommend it lol! And thank you!
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Thanks for linking up again, Rachael! You crack me up. Most relaxed mom ever!!! 🙂 Number 11. Yep.
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Haha, thank you!! Its a great link up! And yes, seriously…. My little guy will wake up in a few minutes after the poop anyway, so I feel no need! Lol
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OMG I can relate to EVERY.SINGLE.ONE of these! So true!
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Thank you 😃 I’m sure with 4 boys our lists and lives look quite similar 😊
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Reblogged this on 4boyslotsanoise and commented:
This is so so true. I have become extremely laid back of a mom of multiple boys…sometimes maybe too laid back…but they are alive and kicking!
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Hilarious! I have two girls… so some of these things I couldn’t relate to but I found it funny all the same.
My youngest (who’s now 3) still eats disgusting things! LOL
Thanks for sharing and linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
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Awesome, thank you so much! Yeah, I think whether they’re boys or girla, kids are like magnets to gross things to put in their mouths haha. Glad you could relate! 😀
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I looooooove your page – its truly realistic
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