When Simple Living Isn’t So Simple 🌻

We’ve all been there—the days when the kids don’t listen, like they may have lost their hearing overnight. Not a word we say seems to stop in the brain before slipping out the other ear. The days when nothing we cook is good enough (or even edible 🙄). Every task is met with whining, pouting, or backtalk.

But what about when those days turn into weeks?

That’s where I am right now. Something changed when our oldest started first grade. New behaviors surfaced—ones I had never even seen glimpses of before. It’s been tough. Tough on him, tough on me, tough on the whole family.

As a mom, you try everything. Take things away. Add chores. Reward the good. Correct the bad. I’ve tried gentle parenting, I’ve tried the opposite. The truth is, sometimes I break, he breaks, and nothing seems to change.

And then there’s the solo parenting piece. My husband works hard, and I know his job is why we have what we have. But that doesn’t make the long days and weekends without him any easier—especially in seasons like this. It’s hard to be the only parent on call for the 11 millionth snack request of the day. It’s reaching out to babysitters at noon, hoping someone can come over so you can sneak out for supper—as a couple or even alone if he’s still working.

Here’s the thing: wanting a break doesn’t make you a bad parent. Recognizing you need one actually makes you a better parent.

We need to be better about this—as moms, and as a society. I’d rather be the mom who says, “I need a night off with chips, salsa, and a marg before I break something” than the mom who is actually breaking—emotionally and physically.

And to those who help watch kids—thank you. But please, for the love of all things holy, can we stop with the “Mimi’s house, Mimi’s rules” routine? Sure, some things have wiggle room—like dessert without finishing supper or ice cream before bed. But if naps are required, then naps are required. When parents start dreading sending their kids because they know the next week will be one giant uphill battle—you. are. not. helping.

Don’t have anyone to watch the kids? I see you! Make pizza for the kiddos, then order your favorite takeout just for mom and dad. After the kids are in bed, turn it into a late-night supper date at home. Throw up some string lights on the deck, or light a few candles in the living room, and give yourself that little reset. You deserve it!

This is the part I don’t always show on my “simple living” journey. Just because I write about it doesn’t mean my life is perfectly organized, calm, or peaceful. We don’t have it all together—and I doubt we ever will.

Some days, simple living means choosing a bath during naptime instead of folding laundry—because you need it. For us, simple living means trying our damnedest to stay organized during the week, so when the weekend comes and you feel like you can’t anymore—you don’t have to.

✨ If cleaning your whole house every Saturday morning works for you—awesome, you do you boo-boo.
✨ If spreading out one or two tasks each weeknight works better—also awesome, you do you boo-boo.

What works for us might not work for you, and that’s okay 👏. What works this week might not work next week—and that’s okay too 🙌.

Sometimes what you need most is to let it out—to vent, cry, or scream a little in the shower. Or while taking out the trash (hint: yell “spider!” or “snake!” if anyone asks).

Because simple living isn’t about perfect living—it’s about being honest, real, and finding ways to reset, even in the messy seasons.

Simply Samantha 🌻
Simply Real. Simply Me.