Every mom has her secrets: maybe you bribe your preteen with candy to get him to do his homework, loathe play dates and use every excuse in the book not to host them, or wish you’d never had kids and could just run away and join the Rockettes. In a world where moms feel so much pressure to be perfect, it’s no wonder we feel guilty or ashamed to confess that we don’t love every minute of parenting. But coming clean can be refreshing; chances are other moms have shared your feelings at some point. We asked moms to share their confessions with us—maybe you recognize yourself here!
 
“Sometimes in the middle of my kids’ 6:30 dinner—carrots flying, milk spilling, toddler dashing and not dining—I find myself desperately craving a drink. Then I realize that it’s still two hours until lights out. And it’s only Monday.” Lisa, mother of a four-year-old and a two-year-old

There’s not a parent alive who hasn’t shared these feelings. Instead of hitting the bottle, however, try to find other ways to relax, suggests psychologist Dr. Dale Atkins (http://www.drdaleatkins.com/). “The best way to do this is to keep a sense of humor as the carrots soar overhead and remember that this stage will pass—it’s just temporary.”
 
“I park my daughter in front of the TV, sometimes for hours on the weekend so I can get a break and go on Facebook.com.” Gillian, mother of a two-year-old

No need to feel guilty if it’s a well-chosen show or video, says Caroline Winkler, co-author of The Pocket Parent (Workman Publishing). Try setting a timer to limit your time on Facebook to the length of one show. “And when he’s watching TV, put blocks or some toys in front of him—you might be surprised at how fast he’ll become engaged in play rather than just staring at the screen.”