The presence of children is ubiquitous; they surround me at all hours. I dedicate nearly all of my time—about 20 hours a day—to ensuring their well-being, hoping they thrive for another day.
Some days are relatively smooth sailing: school days, the occasion when my partner installed baby gates on the stairs, or the rare bliss of both the infant and the four-year-old napping simultaneously. Yet, there are also days fraught with chaos: the day the youngest discovered the toilet bowl’s allure, the day my nine-year-old forgot his homework at school, or the day when all I craved was a shower, which I ultimately didn’t get.
As the sun sets, my patience dwindles. I can swiftly transition from a nurturing figure to a strict authority. Suddenly, the children’s questions become increasingly absurd, and I find myself responding with a barrage of “No’s,” akin to a seasoned pitcher on opening day. “But WHHHHY MOMMMYYYY?” they wail.
“Because I said so.”
This phrase, undeniably frustrating, encapsulates the essence of my exhaustion. What kind of rationale is that? After investing so much time with them—reading, playing, and building a foundation for their critical thinking—I find myself resorting to such a dismissive response. My goal is to foster independent thinkers, yet my weariness leads to hasty decisions that undermine that aspiration.
In those moments, it feels as if they’ve all transformed into little Veruca Salts demanding their whims without consideration. Instead of explaining the impossibility of their requests—“Honey, you can’t have an Oompa Loompa. They’re fictional characters from movies and literature, and we’d have nowhere for him to sleep”—I simply declare, “No. Because I said so.”
The truth is, I’m fatigued. I’m exhausted from the constant need to justify every choice to someone who is barely four feet tall. The truth is, I’m often too busy or too overwhelmed to cater to their every desire at the exact moment they want it.
So, for now? The answer is simply no.
“Because I said so.”
You might have better luck with the same request in the morning—unless, of course, you keep me up all night. For further insights into navigating parenthood and making informed decisions about insemination, check out this resource on home insemination kits that can be beneficial for growing families. For those considering home insemination, Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit offers helpful guidance. Additionally, this article on what to expect during your first IUI is an excellent resource for anyone navigating these important decisions.
In summary, parenting is a demanding journey filled with ups and downs, and sometimes, the simplest answer is the only one we can offer.
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