6 Parenting Secrets We All Share But Won’t Admit

Parenthood is often painted in broad strokes of perfection—the images of loving, patient parents who adhere to every guideline, follow every rule, and never falter in their commitment to being the best. But the truth? Parenting is a beautifully messy, wonderfully chaotic journey that doesn’t always go according to plan.

We’ve all set out with grand ideals about what kind of parent we’d be, only to find that reality has a way of humbling those aspirations. As much as we might try to maintain a perfect image, the day-to-day struggles, frustrations, and little shortcuts are simply part of the gig.

There are moments—often small, almost unnoticed—where we bend the rules, improvise, and do whatever it takes to keep the peace, maintain our sanity, or just get through the day. Some of these little secrets are harmless, even if a bit unconventional. And while we might not shout them from the rooftops, most parents will quietly admit.

Sucking Your Baby’s Dummy Clean When It Falls on the Floor

The drama of the dropped dummy. You’ve probably been there: you’re out in public, your baby starts fussing, and you watch as their beloved dummy drops to the ground. Immediate thought? “Do I have a backup? A spare?” But alas, you forgot to bring one. The tantrum starts, the pressure mounts, and you’re desperate to calm them down.

So, with a quick glance around to see if anyone is looking, you pop the dummy in your mouth for a quick clean. It’s not the most sanitary thing you’ll ever do, but hey, it’s a desperate parent move. Plus, there’s that comforting thought that little dirt never hurt anyone.

In fact, some experts even claim that a bit of exposure to germs can help strengthen your baby’s immune system. But at that moment, you’re more focused on getting your baby back to being calm and happy—before you both lose your minds in the middle of a supermarket.

Giving Your Child Calpol ‘Just in Case’

We all know that Calpol (or any fever-reducing syrup) is a godsend when your child has a fever, but what do you do when they’re just a little out of sorts? It could be teething, or maybe they’re coming down with something, but you can’t quite figure it out. A dose of Calpol, just in case, seems like the only way to bring back some peace in the house. You know that the label suggests you only give it when necessary, but sometimes the discomfort of a whiny, tired child outweighs the advice.

You give them a tiny bit, hoping that it might calm them down and make them feel a bit more like themselves. You might not be entirely sure that they’re sick, but you’ll feel better knowing that they had a little extra comfort. After all, when your child is happy, you’re happy—and isn’t that what parenting is all about?

Skipping Wiping Their Bum After a Quick Pee

There’s a quiet moment every parent experience when they realize their child’s nappy is only wet from a quick pee and doesn’t require a full clean-up. The temptation is strong to skip the usual wiping process, especially when you’re in a rush or when they’re fussing over getting dressed. Let’s face it—sometimes, it feels easier to simply change the nappy and get on with your day.

It’s a time-saver, even if it’s not exactly what the parenting guides would recommend. But if they’re not in discomfort and their skin isn’t irritated, one skip doesn’t feel like a huge compromise. As parents, we pick and choose our battles, and this one might just be one of those moments where practicality wins out over the ideal standard.

Pretending to Be Asleep When Baby Wakes Up

When you’ve been woken up in the middle of the night for the third time, it’s easy to fall into the trap of pretending you’re still asleep. Your baby’s cries fill the room, but you lie still, eyes closed, hoping that your partner will hear and handle it. You don’t want to be “that parent” who sleeps through the whole thing, but at the same time, you’re so exhausted that you’re hoping someone else will step in. It’s not about being lazy, it’s just about the basic human need for rest.

Everyone has their limits, and sometimes, your limits mean that a little “sleep acting” is your only way to recharge. And let’s be honest, your partner will probably fall for it, at least until the next round of crying comes. It’s a silent plea for relief, and sometimes, it works.

Eating Half-Chewed Food

There’s something about a half-eaten piece of soggy rice cake or the chewed end of a sandwich that ends up in your hands when you’re out and about with your child. It happens so quickly that you don’t even think twice before popping it in your mouth. You’re standing in the park, on the go, and there’s no trash bin in sight.

Your child offers you that half-chewed snack, and without even hesitating, you take it. You try to convince yourself that you’re not exactly eating someone else’s leftovers, but you’re just trying to avoid letting the food go to waste. Parenting involves a lot of moments like this—those “what did I just do?” kind of moments.

And while eating half-chewed food may not win you any awards for cleanliness, it’s a small price to pay for keeping your child content and not letting food go to waste.

Resorting to Bribery for a Peaceful Day

Parenting can sometimes feel like a non-stop negotiation. And let’s face it—sometimes, bribery is the only way to win a battle. When you need your child to do something they absolutely do not want to do—like sit still for a haircut, get in the car, or take a nap—you might pull out the big guns. The promise of a treat, extra screen time, or that one toy they’ve been eyeing for days might be just what you need to get them moving.

It’s not that you want to use bribery as a regular tactic, but in those moments when you feel like you’re at your wit’s end, it just makes sense. There’s a certain peace that comes with knowing you’ll get through this parenting moment with a little “persuasion.” And really, who’s to say that an occasional bribe is the worst thing in the world.

If it helps everyone get through the day with smiles (and a hairless head), maybe it’s not such a bad thing after all.

Conclusion

Parenting is a beautifully messy experience—one that is filled with laughter, tears, victories, and frustrations. The reality of parenthood doesn’t always align with our expectations. We all enter this journey thinking we’ll follow a strict set of rules and ideals, but the truth is, life gets in the way.

Parenting isn’t about perfection; it’s about learning as we go, making mistakes, and giving ourselves grace. Whether it’s skipping a page in the bedtime story or quietly hoping your partner will deal with the dirty nappy, these little shortcuts are part of the fabric of being a parent. They don’t make us bad parents—they make us human.