10 Ways My Kids Can Really Get Under My Skin

I love my kids with all my heart. I would do (and do do) anything for them, but with that being said, they do irritate the crap out of me from time to time. There, I said it. Look, I really love being a mommy, and so the fact that they annoy me sometimes does put a bit of that mom guilt on my shoulders, but playing the part of the flawless mama doesn't do me any good either. In fact, I think that sharing the trials and tribulations of motherhood plays a pivotal role in staying sane, because Lord knows I am not the only mother who gets irritated when her kids do any of the following. Source: Flickr user Tammra McCauley

01
They never flush the toilet.

They never flush the toilet.

When they were babies and not actually using the toilet, I could not stop them from flushing the toilet over and over again. Now that they're older kids, it seems the excitement has worn off and they always forget to flush. Nothing is more irritating than when I happen upon a toilet that has not been flushed — or better yet, when a guest in our home happens upon it. Source: Flickr user Sarah

02
They don't use the garbage can.

They don't use the garbage can.

If I find one more piece of trash on the floor, or stuffed in a drawer, or worse, stuffed in the couch cushions, I am going to lose it. Source: Flickr user Quinn Dombrowski

03
They don't buckle up immediately.

They don't buckle up immediately.

This one really gets me. Usually when we pile into the car we are, or rather I am, a bit rushed. Why, oh why, do my kids never ever just go right to their seats and get buckled? It honestly blows my mind that they will start crawling all around the car playing with things and I have to tell them this at least twice a day: "Guys! Get in your seats and buckle up." Source: Flickr user Andrew King

04
They yell across the house.

They yell across the house.

Many times have I sat my children down and said, "We don't yell across the house. If you need someone (usually me) then walk around and find that person (usually me)." I'd say it usually takes about one hour for my blood to boil because I hear someone holler, "Mooooooooommmmmmmmm????" Source: Flickr user Sharon Mollerus

05
They spill their drinks. All. The. Time.

They spill their drinks. All. The. Time.

Kids! Seriously, what is up with the spilling of the drinks? I'm pretty sure that a meal in my home does not go by that someone does not topple over their cup of water. It never fails! Source: Flickr user S. J. Pyrotechnic

06
They want me to "look" at something when I'm driving.

They want me to "look" at something when I'm driving.

My child: Mom look! Mom, mom! Mom, look at this.

Me: No honey, I am driving. Remember, Mommy cannot turn around and look when I am driving. It's not safe.

My child (two minutes later): Mom, can you please look at this? I really want to show you this.Source: Flickr user Andrew Bardwell

07
They ruin their shoes.

They ruin their shoes.

I have a hard time spending money on my kiddos' shoes because two things usually happen. One, they grow out of them in the blink of an eye. Or two (also the more likely occurrence), new shoes will get absolutely and completely destroyed after a few wears. I always tell me husband, if you really want to get me going, all you need to do is drag your feet or walk on the back of your shoes. Source: Flickr user sophie & cie

08
They tug at everything on me.

They tug at everything on me.

From my hair, to my jewelry, to my shirts, my lovely little loves will tug at just about anything I have going on. Sometimes the tug is geared at getting my attention, but usually it's just because they got bored while I talked with a friend for a few seconds in the parking lot of Target. Source: Flickr user Chris Parfitt

09
They freak out over party favors.

They freak out over party favors.

When I say that my kids love party favors, I'm not messing around. And it's totally fine . . . until one breaks. Which it always does. And that is when one of my children goes absolutely bat-sh*t crazy over a paper Ninja Turtle mask ripping (I know because this happened just this past weekend). Source: Flickr user nerissa's ring

10
They make catastrophic messes but are confused why they should be the ones to clean it.

They make catastrophic messes but are confused why they should be the ones to clean it.

We are a clean family with a clean house. We clean up after ourselves. This is always how it has been. So when my children make the craziest messes but look at me like I am the crazy one when I suggest they clean it up (as I always do), I'm more than a little irritated. Source: Flickr user Elizabeth