Do you ever have moments when you wonder whether you’re cut out to be a parent? I’m raising both of my hands right now. I have these surreal moments often and will look at my daughter and ask, “How did you get here? How can I be your mom?” Please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks that.

I just about threw in the towel tonight. After three days of training, I was tired and opted to get fast food for dinner. I proudly announced to my five-year-old daughter that we were going to McD’s (score one for mom!) Crickets…crickets…more crickets. Then I hear, “Mommy, I don’t like McDonald’s anymore.” Geez. Why not, Lexi???? “I’m about to go to the dentist and fried food isn’t good for me.” What does fried food have anything to do with your teeth? “And daddy wouldn’t be happy with you right now. Fried food isn’t good for us. I think we need to go somewhere else.”

But I didn’t want to go anywhere else. It was close. It was cheap. It was easy, And dang it, my daughter was supposed to think I was cool for taking her there. The whole universe is thrown off balance with this conversation. Well, too bad, Lexi, we’re going to McD’s and you’re going to like it! “Mommy, it’s not good for you.” Lexi, you…are…annoying…me.

And the tears start flowing. Lexi, I’m sorry. Forgive me. I didn’t mean to say that. You’re not annoying me. That was rude of me, and I know it hurt your feelings. Please forgive me for not being a good mom and encouraging good eating habits. I’m sorry that I’m not listening to you and taking you somewhere healthy. I’m sorry that you’re giving me a lecture on eating fried foods.

She’s a sweetheart and forgave me, but only after I said, “You’re right and I’m wrong a few dozen times” and promised to write about it for my “mommy story.” I asked her whether she wanted to be the mom today since I was acting like a child. She liked that, too.

But sometimes, I don’t want to be a responsible parent. I want to have the liberty to make bad, unhealthy choices without someone watching me and lecturing me about it. Now that I think about it, I often feel like that at work, too. Sometimes, I don’t feel like being a leader and would like the freedom to slack off and be ineffective. I could absolve myself of all responsibility and walk away.

On the other hand, it’s such a privilege to be a mom and have this little person watching every move I make. It’s a privilege to serve in a leadership role at work and influence the lives of others. Yes, it’s daunting, but I make it more so when I think I must be perfect. People need to see me fail and make bad choices at time. Why? Because making mistakes is normal, and other people like to hear they’re right, too.

We ended up at McDonald’s. I received another lecture because I ordered fries. In the spirit of learning and accountability, I thanked Lexi for her feedback and committed to not eating at McDonald’s anymore. That was the new Hurst rule and one I knew my husband would support. Then I heard, “Well, we don’t have to stop going to McDonald’s all the time. I really like the toys in the happy meal so it’s alright if we eat here sometimes.”

The world is right again.

When was the last time one of your kids busted you out for a bad habit?