There's a new parenting trend, and it's basically the excuse we've been waiting for.

Thanks to our brand partner, UBER EATS

On Tuesdays, I spend the day with my toddlers.

It's the one day a week when I don't work, the boys skip daycare and we avoid all those scheduled weekend activities that have been sneaking in lately (swimming lessons, you know exactly what I think of you).

I know what you're thinking: we probably spend the day mostly at home, relaxing and recuperating for a big week ahead. That would certainly be the logical approach, but instead, I find myself cramming in as much as humanly possible.

Can I get all the washing done, see a mum friend and do something educational for the boys? And can I do all three of those things before my youngest goes down for his nap at midday? Probably not, but apparently, I'm going to try.

Image: Supplied.

Sometimes, it feels like parenting is this never-ending marathon — always rushing, always juggling, never a moment to catch your breath. But what if it didn't have to be that way?

That's the idea behind a new parenting trend, and it's certainly caught my attention.

It's about dropping the guilt, ditching the extra expectations and simplifying routines — not doing less, but making space for a calmer, more connected family life.

Which, sometimes, comes in the form of self-care and saying "no" to the stuff that's not essential.

So, this is exactly how I'm hitting reset and embracing this new era of parenting.

Choosing convenience for everyday tasks. 

I have this fantasy version of my weekly grocery shop: I'm in and out in under half an hour, the kids are in a good mood and I tick off everything we need.

The reality is very different. Usually, it means driving around for 15 minutes hunting for a park, managing tantrums while making sure I grab the exact right brand of sultanas and forgetting what I even came in to get in the first place.

But what if I stopped putting so much pressure on myself to nail it perfectly every time?

I've realised that choosing the "easy" option for a midweek grocery shop is the answer. I just order a quick top-up through Uber Eats — no effort required.

Honestly, it's faster than wrestling the kids into the car and about a hundred times less stressful. For a time-poor family like mine, it's a no-brainer.

Ditching those "perfect" mealtimes.

Did you know the saying "fed is best" actually started with a very picky toddler? True story — his poor, worn-out mum had seen one too many beautifully prepared, rainbow-hued plates full of protein and fibre get chucked from a high chair.

Spending ages making fancy meals can be fun — if the kids actually eat them. But if they don't? Soul-destroying. So, I'm giving myself permission to try a little less hard.

It doesn't need to be an Instagram-worthy feast. It doesn't have to be an artistic masterpiece. Some nights, it's not even really "dinner" — just a bowl of cereal. And honestly, if we're eating, I'm calling that a win.

You might not believe it, but relaxed dinnertimes where no one's clenching their jaw (guilty as charged) actually lead to way more food exploration — and a whole lot more gets eaten. Go figure.

Embracing time spent doing nothing.

I used to love a completely blank weekend with nothing planned. Now, I'm the mum who starts feeling antsy on a Saturday morning if I haven't "achieved" something.

I thought all the busyness was for the kids' benefit — maybe they'd get bored at home — but since carving out more intentional slow time together, I've realised that's rarely true.

What's sometimes boring for my kids is watching me rush around the house, tidying, vacuuming and ticking off to-do lists in a frenzy. What's never boring is choosing one simple activity for the day — like building cubby houses, watching a family movie, pottering in the garden or baking a cake — as long as we're all in it together.

After that, we just go with the flow.

The clear connection? When I'm relaxed, present and unrushed, my kids are having a good time.

And that is, after all, the whole point. 

Get your top up shop without the shop, through the Uber Eats app.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Get the top up shop without the shop. Uber Eats.