Fuck It Friday: Not Every Moment Has to Be ‘Special’

Here’s a Hot Take: Kids Don’t Need a Damn Parade Every Day

Let’s be blunt: The pressure to make childhood “magical” is out of hand. Social feeds are stuffed with parents packing goodie bags for Trash Day. (Yes, I saw that TikTok. No, you don’t need themed trash bags.) We’ve cranked up expectations so high, now doing absolutely nothing can feel like failure.

I call bullshit. Because who the hell has endless energy, money, or spare time to orchestrate miniature Coachella every weekend? Not me. And if you do, I want your espresso machine.

Spoiler: Normal Days Are Fine

Look, repeat after me: Kids don’t need magic, Pinterest crafts, or orchestrated “core memories” every afternoon. They need food, a roof—and for you not to Hulk out at bedtime. That’s basically the job description.

Here’s what nobody tells you when that picture-perfect mom with the coordinated outfits posts her “Enchanted Tuesday” fairy garden: Your kid is happy as hell munching applesauce on the floor—especially if they get to watch TV. (There’s science. Probably.)

Feeling Guilty? Don’t.

If you feel like crap for not making every day special, that’s not a sign you’ve failed. It’s a sign the system is busted. Capitalism screams “Buy more!” and social media claps when you overperform. It’s a hamster wheel. Opt out.

Every single day doesn’t have to be memorable. Sometimes it’s just Thursday and you all survived and that is absolutely enough. If the highlight was microwaved chicken nuggets, congrats, your parenting report card says: “Mission Fucking Accomplished.”

Reset the Bar (Just Kick It Lower)

Let’s admit the truth: The grind to turn the everyday into Something Epic isn’t about the kids—it’s about the weird guilt stew adults marinate in now. What if you just ditched it? What if your legacy is being the parent that made life safe, occasionally fun, and mostly real?

Nostalgia will sand down all the boring bits anyway. Your kids aren’t going to remember every detail. They’re going to remember you—and honestly, they’re probably dyeing their hair pink in a dorm room and Facebooking about how you were “chill.”

Here’s Your Permission Slip

Stop buying extra glitter. Stop overthinking. Let average days be exactly that: average. Let go of the guilt marathon. Your kids are fine unless you’re raising them in a literal swamp, or are actively being a jerk.

Good enough is enough. That’s a win.

Breathe Out (Seriously, Right Now)

If nobody told you today: You’re not missing some secret ingredient. You’re not supposed to remember every Tooth Fairy visit or invent a new tradition for Arbor Day. You are enough. Whole ass, right now, as-is.

Friday assignment: Do less. Eat something easy. Ignore Instagram. Congratulations, you survived another damn week. Gold star for everyone who says, “Fuck it.”