Parenting: it’s like a game of scruples. Only with baby poo.
Before I became a parent the biggest dilemma I faced on a regular basis was whether to hit the gym before or after work. Did I want to arrive at work red faced but invigorated, or risk slacking off after work and going for a wine instead.
Oh, there were other daily predicaments. Skim milk or soy? The high heels boots or the flatties. To SMS him the morning after or to wait a few days…
And then, of course, as life drew on there were a few bigger decisions to be made. But nothing extreme. Nothing mind blowing. Nothing disgusting.
Until I had a baby.
Contemplating those teeny moral quandaries about whether to pick up my (small) dog’s delicately placed faeces paled in comparison to what I was about to face.
In theory we parents hold all sorts of high morals: Oh I will never feed my children treats. I will never give in to a tantrum. I would never, ever send them to daycare the day after they’ve been vomiting (even if I did have a super important meeting to go to).
Homework – the little blighters can do it themselves.
But we all know tactics change on the battlefield, and after a while parenting becomes like a game scruples, with constant internal chatter invading our headspace. Do I really have to? Should I? What if I? Could I possibly?
These 9 unexpected parenting dilemmas might sound a little familiar:
1. Do I really have to wash those sheets after they have been weed on for the second time in a night? Or can I just throw a towel over the wet patch till morning? No one will know…
2. Wipe the projectile vomit off the baby gro and let it dry? Or do I have to change it?
Top Comments
Oh God, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who had the 'chuck or no chuck the pooey undies' and 'towel over sheets' scenarios. (Yes, and yes).
Catch the bolognese vomit in your hands or let it go all over the new carpet? I know what I'd do (and have done) ....