“I’ll never bribe my child with sweets,” she said. Flash forward to today, and I’m casually offering a cookie in exchange for five minutes of peace. And I’m not even sorry about it. If you’ve ever found yourself doing exactly what you swore you wouldn’t—whether it’s using food as a bargaining chip, stretching screen time or making promises you can’t keep—then congratulations! You’re officially a member of the mum club.

Parenthood is full of these “I’ll never do that” moments, yet somehow, here we are. If you’re living in the UAE, the challenges of motherhood are uniquely intensified by the heat, cultural nuances and the speed of modern life. But guess what? Every mum around the world is facing the same struggles. So, let’s embrace the chaos, have a laugh and admit the fact that some of our best parenting moments are the ones where we completely break our own rules.

The Snack Bribes

Remember the days before kids, when you made all these lofty parenting promises? You swore you’d never bribe your children with snacks to get them to behave. Fast forward to today, and snacks are your secret weapon. The moment your toddler drags their feet on the way to the car, you’ve got your arsenal ready: “I’ll give you a treat if you just get in the car!” Sure, it’s not exactly how you imagined your parenting journey, but it works.

And let’s not forget the supermarket aisle of doom—the one with the toys, the sweets and the promises you never intended to make. “If you stop asking for a toy, I’ll buy you a treat.” And somehow, that’s exactly how you end up with yet another packet of processed whatever and a toddler who’s convinced they’ve won.

Snack bribes become a daily strategy, and let’s face it, they’re effective. But the guilt creeps in, right? You feel like you’re undermining your child’s healthy habits, but here’s the reality: parenting is about survival. We all have days when we just need to get through it. And if that means a handful of crackers to calm the storm, so be it.

I once promised myself I’d never give in to a screen-time bribe while offering snacks. Yet, here I am, both hands full of snacks, asking, “Can we please just leave the house today without another strop?” It’s a fine balance, but the truth is, snack bribes are our way of navigating a complex world, one where every moment counts. And who wants to leave the house hungry anyway?

The Screen-Time Lies

Ah, the infamous “just one more episode” lie. How many times have you said, “One more episode, and then we’ll go outside!” only to find yourself five episodes deep in Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol? You had the best of intentions—you really did. But when you’ve been up since 5 a.m., it’s 45°C outside, and your toddler is demanding just one more episode, what’s a mum to do?

We’ve all been there. The guilt sets in when the iPad or TV becomes your “co-parent” for the day. Whether it’s a 20-minute distraction so you can make an urgent work call or a 2-hour binge because you desperately need a break, screen time is a tool in your parenting toolkit, even if you didn’t plan on it being one.

Now, let’s talk about the “learning apps” that are supposed to make screen time educational. I’ve convinced myself that my child is mastering math and language skills during those educational app sessions, but we all know it’s mostly just a bunch of games and cartoons. Still, they’re quiet for a little while, and sometimes that’s the most important thing.

It’s easy to look around and think other parents have it all figured out. But the reality? Screen time is part of our reality now. Maybe every day, maybe not depending on your approach. But some days you need that escape, that chance to just catch your breath. There’s no shame in it. In fact, it’s okay to embrace the imperfection of your parenting—especially if it means a moment of peace for you, the real mum who’s running the show.

When Your Parenting Rules Meet Reality

Before kids, we all had rules. These were our parenting commandments, etched in stone: “My child will never eat junk food,” or “We’ll always have family dinners with meaningful conversations.” Fast forward, and reality has other plans. Suddenly, dinner looks awfully like what we had last night and the night before. And that meaningful conversation? It’s been replaced by “Please, just eat!”

Take bedtime routines, for example. You promised yourself you’d be consistent, with bath time at 6:30, a story by 7, and lights out by 7:15. But life happens. One day you’re stuck in traffic, another day they’ve decided they must wear their superhero cape to bed and can’t find it. By 8:45, you’re muttering, “Just go to sleep!” as they wiggle under the covers for the fifth time asking for more water.

What about the endless toys you swore wouldn’t take over your home? “We’ll be minimalist parents,” you said, “Our kids won’t need that many things.” Fast forward, and you’ve got a house full of blinking, singing gadgets and a toddler who still insists on playing with the box they came in.

And then there’s the classic: “My child won’t throw tantrums in public because I’ll handle it calmly.” Ah, the naivety! When your kid melts down in the middle of a mall because you said no to ice cream, you realise that “handling it calmly” means silently praying no one is watching as you awkwardly shuffle them into the car, promising ice cream next time.

The Truth? Never Say Never!

Parenting rules are great in theory, but kids have their own way of teaching us to adapt. And every kid is different. What worked yesterday with one might not work today with the other, and that’s okay. Flexibility is the real superpower of motherhood. You’re not failing—you’re evolving.

So, let’s hear it – what’s your parenting fail of the day? Join Eklektik Mama’s online community and swap stories with other mums who truly get it. Whether you’ve had a snack-bribe moment or a screen-time confession, we’re all navigating the same messy, wonderful journey. Let’s laugh at the chaos and support one another.

Because at Eklektik Mama, we believe that the best stories are the ones we share. Let’s connect, laugh and keep it real together. No judgement—just mamahood in all its messy glory.