I think I'm a very awkward parent. When my son was a baby I was very organized but now I even struggle to get him to school on time. I can't get stains out of his school shirts. I clean and clean the house an it gets super messy fast. Alot of the time I send him to school out of uniform because his clothes aren't washed or too stained so need long soaks. Everyone else seems to hsve it all together :/ I can't even remember to return school forms by due dates. I keep loosing his library books minutes after finding them... see awkward parent
5 Replies
Don't worry about it lol!
I am exactly the same, I'm not organized: never have been. I just came to accept that's who I am as a person, I'm a bit of a mess but that's OK.
My kids school tops are white (f*cking whyyyyyy), they're always in uniform because the school would have a fit if they weren't but their shirts are stained as hell and I dont even care anymore ?? they're clean who cares! My house is always untidy (clean and hygienic ) but there's always toys or clothes or paper or some crap on the floor/piled on the couch: again I'm way beyond caring at this point.
Library book are my kids problem now, if they lose/forget them they don't go to library, they're much more responsible now after missing library a few times. Same with home readers and their belongings.
Some of us are never gonna be Mary Poppins but it doesn't mean we're not good parents.
As long as your son has his basic needs met, he's loved, fed and happy you're doing fine!
You are not alone and it's not awkward, just disorganised which last time I checked wasn't a crime lol.
For stains, I love the Sard Degreaser. It beats the widest range of stains in our house, spray it on, let it sit for 20-30 mins then throw in the wash with a bit of Napisan tossed in the tub. Stubborn stain, zero fucks given, as mentioned as long as it's clean... I also loved Wednesday being sports uniform day, I had Tuesday evening to spray/soak, wash and hang out so Monday and Tuesdays uniforms were clean ready for Thursday and Friday.
You have a kid so there is no longer such a thing as a clean house, it's a myth. You'd have more chance of hosting a UFC fight night between a unicorn and a dragon. Let it go.
Forms, get the magnet peg clips from Kmart and stick 'em on the fridge. Mine usually made it back after the 3rd reminder or day of activity, whichever came first.
I flat out took no responsibility for library books. I told the school that we have a massive number of books in this house so if they were stupid enough to let him in the library they could search for "lost" books. Another option would be a colourful magazine holder - library books are in his hands being read or in the holder.
Take little steps, start making routines and before you know it you'll be a master.
Honestly, you aren't awkward. This is totally normal. Those parents who seem like they have it together are probably struggling just the same. There will be some who pay for someone to wash/iron clothes, some who have housecleaners regularly, SAHMs bust their asses to get everything prepared.
I'd look at ways to improve IF that is what you want. Can you have a box in his bedroom where his library books stay? If he wants to read them on the couch ask him to return them to his room immediately, if reading at night put them straight into the box. Have an "in" box and an "out" box on the bench. One for forms to go into to sign, then once done put them into the out box. Have a calendar and immediately write due dates in etc. to remind you when they are due. And be really strict with yourself. You'll eventually get so used to it that it'll be second nature.
Have afternoon clothes out for your son, a pair of trackies and a tshirt and as soon as he gets home have him change. Immediately soak the clothes and set a load off. Sit a clotheshorse or the clothes directly over the heater overnight to dry off. It's really only shirts that need daily washing and jumpers if they're getting muddy or stained, but pants can go a few days.
A clean house doesn't mean anything, we clean once every few weeks and just tidy up other days. We set aside 2 hours on a Saturday and both get stuck into it (hubby and I) and now it's a routine. We wake up, cook up a big breakfast and get to work. The big breakfast is a special treat/reward for what we are about to do lol!!
Don't put pressure on yourself thinking you're awkward though because you certainly are not :)
Each of my kids have a full uniform for every day of the week.
Including long pants/stockings/undies and jumpers.
Our school for some stupid reason has a uniform roster that changes each year and every class.
2 days a week full formal uniform, 1 day a week choice of formal or pe, 1 day a week pe only, 1 day sport.
I everything ready the night before. Full uniform, lunch school bag
Sounds like a case of 'baby brain' to me. That or you have been Narcissistically abused and you are actually suffering from PTSD. That makes you exactly what you just described.