I’m Not Doing These “Good Mom” Things Anymore

Leigh Anderson from The Mid is sharing some things good moms are known for doing. Do you ….

Bathe the kids every day?

Twice-a-week baths are fine and save me the soggy wrestling match that is washing a screaming toddler and preschooler.

Do an elaborate bedtime routine?

Literally everyone told us we needed to do a bedtime routine. Bath, infant massage, dim lights while nursing — this was bad enough and clocked in at about an hour. Now, with our 4-year-old, more rituals have crept in, like: 1) sing a song; 2) read three books; 3) listen to Freight Train Boogie….

The bedtime routine starts at 3:45. In the interest of recapturing those hours, I'm eliminating all but tooth-brushing and prayers.

Buy organic?

I've spent the last five years standing in the fruit aisle debating whether to spend $2 for an organic apple or 50 cents for a regular one, and then, confused, I buy no apple at all. I am just not going to worry about it anymore. It's better that they eat fruits and vegetables than not, and we can't spend $200 a week on apples.

Force the kids to eat vegetables?

This resulted in bargains and negotiations and debates over exactly how much food on the fork counted as a “bite.” (It was a little like arguing how many angels can fit on the head of a pin.)  I'm not squabbling about whether gently touching your tongue to a piece of broccoli counts as a bite.

Have a perfectly clean house?

I'd rather have a slightly dirty house than be a servant, and eventually they'll learn that small daily efforts are better for housekeeping than quarterly fumigations.

Spend all weekend with the kids?

We're starting a half-day-off policy; like the servants in Downton Abbey, we each get from 8 a.m. to noon, once a week, with no kids, work, or chores responsibilities. The other parent takes the kids out of the house.

Anderson wants you to know that she's putting a stop to these things in her house. She won't be doing it anymore. I'm following suit. What about you?

Need to read more before you make a decision? Check out the rest of the things good moms do that this mom says she's putting a stop to at Huff Post Parents.