I get frustrated easily. I’ll admit that, small things can literally make me sweat. Call me dramatic but some days I can’t help it. But sometimes I think there are things that really don’t need to be frustrating and yet they are.
I’ve compiled a short list of things I’ve found frustrating. I say short because I had to stop writing as I kept thinking of more things and needed to cap this off! Perhaps you can relate to some of these and raise your hand in solidarity:
Pants Without Pockets
Why is it so difficult to put pockets in pants? Even before I was a mom this was an issue. Pants (and dresses for that matter) that have good pockets are treasured above any other item in my wardrobe.
There are so many things you need to stuff into pockets as a mom. Your phone, keys, tissues, the random sock on the floor, the precious rock your kid needs you to hold. The list goes on.
That being said, I love my leggings and it seems that the ones with “pockets” are always double the price. So I’m stuck being creative with sweaters or purses or other pocket type devices to store everything.
So frustrating.
Expensive Baby/Kid Items
I can’t believe how much money some things cost. Kid-sized items, clothing, shoes, hats…and they’re as much as an adult size! If I can get a pair of sandals for myself for $10 I should be able to find a pair for my 1 year old at that price.
Kids blow through sizes. Spending a little bit extra on shoes and clothes that are good quality is okay but not if they only last half a season.
So frustrating
Maternity/Nursing Clothes
Finding a good pair of maternity pants is like finding a needle in a haystack. Something that is comfy but also supports your growing belly, without falling down…it’s hard. Or you can spend $100+ on pants.
It was worse when I lived up north and didn’t have good shopping options. I ordered a lot from Old Navy but it was always so expensive (and maternity stuff was never part of the sale). Or they wouldn’t have my size.
Pregnant women can’t walk around in pyjama pants all day (as much as they would like to!)
And the same for nursing friendly shirts. You don’t want to completely undress just to feed your kid, so shirts with easy access are wonderful. But why are they all maternity/nursing cross? I don’t want a maternity shirt 12 months after I’ve given birth.
I guess our clothing industry hasn’t embraced the part of life women live that involves a changing body.
So frustrating.
When the Wipes Come Out in Groups
When you’ve done a million and one diaper changes it starts to be routine. Yet somehow the wipes can sense panic and will act accordingly.
Your kid is smearing his hands through his poop? Perfect, wipes will be stuck in the bag and you can’t peel them out. You only need one more wipe (after using 15 for this mess)? Perfect, 5 wipes will all come out together! Supper is sitting on the table getting cold? You guessed it, 3 wipes are stuck together and will not come apart.
I now take a second and pull wipes out ahead of time in anticipation because it drives me crazy. Like I said, once you do a million and one diaper changes you learn a few things. But it’s frustrating none the less that precautionary measures have to be taken for something as simple as a bum change.
So frustrating.
When You Say “No” it Means Maybe
“No” is toddler lingo for “keep trying until the answer changes.”
So frustrating
Inconsiderate People in Stores
I never expect special treatment or help when out and about with E and B. They are my responsibility and if I’m going out with them I need to be prepared. That being said, I always appreciate when people let me go ahead of them in line if I only have one or two things, or give me extra space to get by with a stroller.
There was one day when E was a baby and I needed something from the drug store. It was a pretty hot day and of course there was a line up outside to get in (this was during the days of Covid restrictions). I wasn’t in a hurry so I covered E with a receiving blanket while he was in his car seat and waited patiently. The man in front of me turns, looks at me and my baby and says “sure is hot out today, isn’t it?” I smile and nod, and he turns around again.
As I said, I wasn’t expecting anyone to let me go ahead of them, I came to the store knowing I may have to wait so I was prepared. But in all honesty, if there’s a woman with a baby standing in the sun, it’s common courtesy to help her out.
Somehow people don’t seem to consider how much extra time and patience parents need while running errands with their kids. If you aren’t in a hurry yourself, give that parent the extra minute because it often is the difference between having a meltdown and making it home in time to eat a snack.
So frustrating.
Strapping Your Kid Into a Car Seat
Why is this so difficult? Why does your child always have to move just enough so you can’t get the buckles aligned? Why won’t it tighten? Why is it -40 million outside and your fingers are frozen? I don’t have any answers.
So frustrating.
Waiting on Hold
The panic when you have to sit on hold. It’s gripping. You are living in limbo, can’t go anywhere or do anything because you have to be ready. And you’re never on hold for a fun reason, it’s always something mundane and annoying.
Now as a mom, I avoid it even more. When E was first born we had issues with my EI and I ended up having to call Service Canada. Of course, they would put a new mom on hold. And they don’t (but should) have representatives dedicated to maternity leave questions because if you are on maternity leave you have a baby with a 14-second window of cooperation.
So naturally while I was on hold E pooped and I was mid-diaper change when someone came on the line. Thank goodness for speakerphones and that E didn’t pee all over the wall.
Things got sorted out but it’s just a testament to how much I hate talking on the phone, and waiting on hold.
So frustrating.
Annoying Toys
Why do they make toys that repeat the song instead of shutting off when you press the button a second time? No I don’t want to start the “A, B, C’s” song over again, we were on letter S and it was time to clean up but I guess we’ll start from the top.
Or you’re standing in the aisle at the store and the toy is so much louder and more obnoxious than necessary. You press the button again hoping to shut it off but alas, you have to walk away in shame, pretending you didn’t just press the button twice.
So frustrating.
Kids Have 4 Hands and Can Move at the Speed of Light
I don’t know if you’ve experienced this or not, but somehow kids are superhuman. Suddenly they have 4 hands that can move in a flash. And they maintain this energy until the moment they fall asleep. Sometimes it’s a fun game and sometimes it means cleaning poop up from the walls.
So frustrating.
Are You Frustrated Yet?
Well, I hope I’m not the only one who has dealt with these frustrations. I’ll admit some of them aren’t as bad as I’ve made it seem. It’s just in the moment when you’re on your last nerve and don’t think you can handle one more thing. It’s best to laugh them off later because it’s all part of childhood/motherhood. Of course, if you have any connections and can change some of these issues (like the pant pocket issue), I would gladly like to know!
And I suppose life is full of frustrations, it’s what builds character. Or makes us appreciate the simple things. Or makes us eat a box of cookies. I’m not sure but I know it’s not just being a mom that has frustrations. That’s why I married a very level-headed man who reminds me not to lose my mind over small things because hey, if they didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have anything to blog about!
Wishing you all an almost frustration free day!
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