I was doing some research for my blog, trying to figure out what kind of information moms are desperately seeking online, so naturally I turned to Google. I mean, come on, we all know moms are the ultimate detectives when it comes to finding answers to their burning questions. So, I typed in the search bar, “What information are moms looking for online,” and voila! I stumbled upon this website called searchlaboratory.com. Now, let me tell you, this place had some mind-boggling research on what new moms are googling.
What is Mommy Googling?
Now, brace yourself for some outrageous questions. I mean, seriously, who in their right mind would ask, “What if my baby is born ugly?” I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. I mean, come on, people! Are you planning to love your baby any less if they don’t come out looking like a supermodel? And for heaven’s sake, no, you can’t just push them back in! Let’s keep it real, folks.
But wait, it gets even better! Another gem of a question that made it to the top 10 was, “Why does my baby look like my ex?” Now, hold on a second. Is the computer secretly a DNA expert? How on earth would Google know the answer to that? And hey, if the baby does resemble your ex, maybe it’s just a coincidence, or maybe it’s a sign that you need to let go of the past and focus on being an awesome parent.
Amidst all the bizarre questions, there was one that caught my attention. “How to be a good parent?” Oh boy, that’s a real head-scratcher! I mean, no matter how hard we try to do everything “right,” it’s almost guaranteed that we’ll unintentionally mess up our kids in some way or another. It’s like a universal law or something.
But before we dive deeper into this burning question, it’s confession time. Personally, I’ve never Googled any of the questions found on this website. Why you ask? Well, because they’re plain weird. But, I’ve had my fair share of mom-related queries. Usually, though, I just ask my mom friends who have been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. But there are some questions that even my mom friends can’t answer. Take for instance, “How do I convince my kid to clean up his toys without driving me absolutely bonkers?” Seriously, is there a secret formula for this? Or am I just doomed to live in a house that looks like a toy store exploded? So, Dr. Google if you possess the answer to this perplexing riddle, please do share your wisdom with us mere mortals!
Some inquiries are rather less whimsical, like “Is it normal for six-year-olds to still have temper tantrums?” I mean, I know kids can be little tornadoes of emotions, but sometimes I wonder if my kid is the only one who still throws a fit over the color of his cup. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in this and that other moms have been through the same thing. But still, it would be nice if Google had a magic wand that could make the tantrums disappear.
Not Everything is Meant for Google.
And then there are the questions that are just too big for Google, like “How do I break the anxiety cycle?” This is where I leave it to the professionals, aka my therapist. Because let’s face it, I have my own issues to deal with. I don’t want to pass them on to my kids. But sometimes I wonder if it’s too late if I’ve already infected my son with my anxiety and OCD. Damn it! Why do my kids need to pay attention to everything I do?
It’s like they have a secret surveillance system installed in their tiny brains. I mean, seriously, I can’t even take a breath without my little munchkins analyzing it like a detective on a mission. It’s like they have a sixth sense that alerts them whenever I try to do something without their supervision.
Forget going to the bathroom. That is like a covert operation that requires ninja-level skills. The moment I even think about closing that door, my child’s hand magically appears out of nowhere. It’s like they have a radar for bathroom breaks! Just when I thought I was finally over this with my 6-year-old son, my 1-year-old daughter jumped in his place. It’s a tale as old as time. While our husbands can enjoy their own private bathroom oasis without a care in the world, us moms are lucky if we can get a moment of peace to ourselves. Life’s funny like that, isn’t it?
So back to me passing down my quirks and anxieties to my offspring. My poor son! It’s like I handed him a beautifully wrapped package of stress, emotions, fears, and worries, and he eagerly unwrapped it and made it his own. Like a family heirloom, but instead of a fancy necklace, it’s a fear of leaving the house without checking the stove 8000 times.
Picture this: every time I stepped out, I would religiously ensure that every knob on the stove was turned off, even if I hadn’t used it at all. It’s a bit strange I know, because there is no basis for it. Maybe it’s because my dad, being a fireman, instilled in us a fear of anything that could potentially ignite? But one day, as I called out to my son, urging him to hurry up so we could leave the house, I found him standing in the kitchen, facing the stove, and chanting “off, off, off, off, off,” with all his might.
Now, keep in mind, that this little guy was just three years old at the time and completely oblivious to the reasons behind my peculiar behavior. He couldn’t read, let alone comprehend the significance of his words. But thanks to my countless repetitions, he had become a master at the art of stove-checking.
Naturally, my initial reaction was to unleash a torrent of tears. I mean, here I was, thinking I was single-handedly destroying my precious child’s innocence. But then, like a lightning bolt of realization, it struck me – I need therapy, pronto! It was a moment of clarity, a wake-up call that screamed, “Hey, lady, sort out your own mess before it messes up your kid!”
Is there a Secret Recipe to Parenting?
Now that I shared with you how I managed to screw up my kid, let’s put on our serious pants and dive into the deep end of the pool as we confront the age-old question that inspired me to write this post, “What’s the secret recipe for becoming a top-notch parent?”
Being a good parent is no easy feat and I am by no means a parental connoisseur. Parenting is like trying to juggle a bunch of flaming swords while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point. There’s no one right way to do it, and every parent has their own unique approach. As a mom, I understand that there are days when it feels like I’m just trying to survive and make it to bedtime without losing my mind. Being a working mom means I have a never-ending to-do list. But, as long as my little ones are well-fed, bathed, and smiling, I consider it a victory. But being a good parent is more than just survival mode.
It’s about being a role model for your kids and instilling in them the values and principles that will guide them through life. In our household, we prioritize honesty, respect, and a good sense of humor (because let’s face it, life is too short to be serious all the time). We also make sure to spend quality time with our kids. Whether it’s playing board games or going on adventures in the great outdoors. And we always encourage our son (because our daughter is still too young) to be himself and pursue his passions. No matter how wacky or unconventional they may seem!
The truth is, being a good parent is about doing your best and loving your kids unconditionally. It’s about being there for them through the good times and the bad and showing them that they are valued and cherished. So go ahead and embrace the chaos, the messiness, and the unpredictability of parenthood.
But remember, every family is a hot mess in their own special way. What works for one family might not work for another, and that’s okay. Don’t waste your time comparing your parenting style to others because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to raising kids. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole – it just doesn’t work. Parenting is tough, and there’s no manual to follow. So, embrace your own unique kind of crazy and roll with it.
If you’re feeling like you need some guidance, go ahead and Google “How to be a good parent.” But, be warned, you might fall down a rabbit hole of conflicting advice and judgmental articles. Take what you read with a grain of salt and remember that you know your child best. It’s okay to take advice and ideas from others, but ultimately, you’re the expert on your own family. Trust your instincts and do what works for you.
It’s also helpful to have a support system of other parents who are going through the same struggles as you. I personally have a group of mom friends who I talk to all the time about our little munchkins and how to navigate the crazy situations they throw at us. Some of our discussions may or may not have caused a few of our non-parent friends to reconsider their life choices. Oops!
Anyway, at the end of the day, when it comes to raising children, there’s no magic formula. Google may be a helpful resource, but it’s definitely not the ultimate solution. Parenting is a challenging task, and being a mother is no laughing matter. So to all the moms out there who are getting it done, let me be the first to tell you that you are crushing it! Keep up the good work and don’t forget to take care of yourself too.
