Am I on Mute? A Parent’s Daily Dilemma

They say parenting is a walk in the park—Jurassic Park! And every parent, no matter how positive and patient, has one common complaint: “My kids don’t listen to me!”

I am a firm believer in gratitude, positivity, and cherishing life’s blessings. But if there’s one thing that makes me sigh dramatically and question my life choices, it’s this: Why do my kids have the ability to hear a chocolate wrapper being opened from two rooms away but not my voice when I call them?

I could whisper, “Who wants ice cream?” and they’d come running like Olympic sprinters. But when I say, “Clean your room,” suddenly, they develop hearing issues so severe, even an ENT specialist would be baffled. They nod absentmindedly, mutter “Hmm,” and continue their business as if I’ve just recited poetry to the wind.

Sometimes, I wonder if my words are transmitted in an alien language that only other parents can understand. Maybe kids have a secret handbook that says: “Rule #1: Ignore all instructions unless they involve food, TV, or playtime.” I keep telling myself that one day, when they become parents, they will finally understand—and that will be my moment of sweet, silent victory.

Parenting is an art of repeating yourself without losing your mind. It’s a test of patience, endurance, and how well you can resist the urge to turn into a dramatic soap opera parent.

Thought to Ponder: If kids don’t listen to what we say but imitate what we do, maybe the real question is—Are we listening to them first?