Let’s be real, preschoolers are tiny, unpredictable tornadoes of emotions, snack demands, and mysteriously sticky fingers. You love them with your whole heart, but some days? Some days you just want to drink your coffee while it’s still hot and not have a full-blown negotiation over which color cup is acceptable for juice today.
But here’s the thing, Mama, you might be making your life harder because of some common preschooler myths that are floating around. These myths? They’re LIES. And once you stop believing them, parenting gets so much easier (okay, maybe not easy, but easier, let’s be realistic).
So, let’s bust these myths wide open and get you back on track to surviving (and even enjoying) the preschool years.
1. Myth: “Preschoolers Should Know How to Share by Now”
Reality Check: Sharing is a skill, not an instinct. Expecting your three-year-old to willingly give up their favorite dinosaur to their sibling is like expecting them to prepare a tax return, it’s just not happening. Instead of forcing sharing in the moment (which usually ends in tears), teach taking turns instead. Try a timer: “You play for two minutes, then your brother gets a turn!” It gives them structure and makes sharing feel fair.
2. Myth: “Consistency Is Key, If You Start Something, Stick with It”
Reality Check: In theory, yes. In practice? LOL. If you started a bedtime routine that involves singing five lullabies, three back rubs, and a shadow puppet show, but it’s exhausting you, guess what? You can change it. It’s okay to pivot when something isn’t working. Your preschooler will survive, and you won’t feel like a prisoner in your own bedtime routine.
3. Myth: “Good Moms Don’t Use Screens as Babysitters”
Reality Check: Listen, there’s a difference between parking your kid in front of Netflix for six hours and using a strategic 20-minute episode of Bluey so you can finish a Zoom call or cook dinner without a tiny human clinging to your leg. Educational apps and shows exist for a reason, and as long as screen time isn’t replacing human interaction, you’re fine. Give yourself some grace, Mama.
4. Myth: “Preschoolers Should Be Able to Sit Still at Mealtime”
Reality Check: Have you ever met a preschooler? Sitting still is not their thing. Expecting them to sit quietly for a full meal is setting yourself up for frustration. Instead, embrace realistic mealtime expectations, let them wiggle, take breaks, or even eat at a small kids’ table where they have a little more freedom. Also, if mealtime battles are the bane of your existence, you need to check out the Busy Baby Silicone Placemat, it sticks to the table, keeps their snacks in place, and has built-in tethers so they can’t throw their utensils across the room. Total. Game. Changer.
5. Myth: “If They Aren’t Listening, They’re Being Defiant”
Reality Check: More often than not, they’re just distracted. Preschoolers have the attention span of a goldfish, so shouting instructions from across the room is basically asking for them to ignore you. Instead, get down to their level, make eye contact, and keep instructions short and simple: “Shoes on, please!” instead of “Go get your shoes, put them on, and grab your backpack so we can go.” Trust me, less is more.
6. Myth: “Potty Training Should Only Take a Few Days”
Reality Check: I don’t know who started this “train in three days” nonsense, but they clearly weren’t dealing with real preschoolers. Some kids get it quickly, while others need months (or even years!) of reminders. The key is patience and the right tools, if you haven’t tried the Potty Training Watch, you need to. It’s a fun little gadget that reminds your kid to go every hour, so you don’t have to be the one nagging all day. You’re welcome.
7. Myth: “Being a Stay-at-Home Mom Should Be Enough”
Reality Check: Yes, being a mom is fulfilling, but that doesn’t mean it has to be everything. If you’re feeling drained, uninspired, or just plain exhausted from the endless cycle of snacks, tantrums, and cleaning up LEGOs, it’s okay to want (and need) something more. Whether it’s a hobby, a side hustle, or even just a standing coffee date with a friend, taking care of you makes you a better mom.
Final Thoughts: Ditch the Myths, Embrace the Chaos
Mama, you are doing an amazing job. Preschoolers are unpredictable little beings, and there’s no perfect way to navigate this stage. But if you drop these unrealistic expectations and work with your child’s natural quirks instead of against them, you’ll find a lot more joy (and a lot less stress) in these years.
So, which myth have you been believing? Drop a comment and let’s chat, I’d love to hear from you! And if you’re tired of dodging flying forks at mealtime, grab that Busy Baby Silicone Placemat today and thank me later!