35 things all mums wish they could have given up for Lent but couldn't
In case you weren't aware, Lent has well and truly already begun. Mums all over the country have geared themselves up to embark on various ridiculous diets, unrealistic exercise schemes and fantastical ‘me-time’ efforts that might not even last until St Patrick's Day. However, there are several things we are not permitted to ‘give up’.
As our Lord set off for 40 days and 40 nights to abstain and reflect, we too have reflected on 35 aspects of the mum-life we would have liked to have given up for Lent… but couldn't.
1. Caring about bedtime
2. Peppa Pig
3. The struggle to brush tiny teeth without a fight
4. Making sure they eat something green each day
5. Pulling knots out of little curls
6. Losing tiny hair accessories
7. Tripping on toy cars
8. Stepping on stray Lego
9. Yelling to the point where your voice vanishes
10. Hiding in the bathroom
11. Sneaking chocolate
12. Dragging yourself out of bed at 3 am to serve beverages
13. Reading the same book over and over again
14. Worrying about them while you try to get some work done
15. Wishing you were at work while you're in mum-mode
16. Family trips to the bathroom
17. Caring about stretch marks
18. Craving a glass of wine every time someone has a tantrum
19. Providing a free taxi service
20. Cooking more than one dinner
21. Cooking at all
22. Washing clothes that were only worn once
23. Mum guilt
24. The no-makeup look
25. The maths homework stress
26. Counting down from 5 (loudly)
27. Wishing you had your pre-baby body back
28. Rewarding your kids for barley-acceptable behaviour
29. Searching for that one missing shoe in the morning
30. The battle to limit screen time
31. Breaking up fights (both physical and discursive)
32. Bribery when the prize is mediocre (i.e. 30 minutes of cartoons in exchange for the consumption of a single pea)
33. Being the ‘strict’ parent
34. Saying ‘no’ 100 times only to say ‘yes’ the 101st time
35. Suppressing inappropriate language in front of the very people who trigger it