These days, it is so easy to become confused with all the parenting advice you get from magazines and other people. Every parent I know takes pride in sharing examples of their parental prowess. So I thought I might add to the confusion by letting everyone know what has worked for me. I have a feeling there are a few of you parents out there who might agree with my philosophy...even if you don't want to admit it.
*Enjoy the simple things in life. It's okay to be lazy and be a homebody some days. It creates so much more appreciation and excitement when we do actually get out of the house to do something fun.
*Don't make your bed every day. It is a proven scientific fact that bed bugs are more apt to thrive in dark, covered areas. Let your sheets breathe. If you have company, close the bedroom door.
*Playing video games help develop eye hand coordination and problem solving skills.
*If your child watches less than 2 hours of TV a day, you aren't doing enough cooking, cleaning or laundry.
*Spending $1.27 on a Hot Wheels car at the grocery store is a great investment. It cuts down on your shopping time by keeping your child entertained and prevents melt-downs...yours & the child's.
*If you wait to "give-in" until your child asks for a toy 3 or 4 times, it builds your child's negotiating skills and gives them self-confidence in knowing they can win an argument.
*Realize, as a parent, you can't always say "no". Pick your battles, people...it cuts down on all the drama.
*Never wake a sleeping child. Even if they want to nap for 3 hours and then stay awake until midnight, it will give them more quality time to spend with Daddy since he is at work all day. (Mom's...use this extra time in the evenings while they are supervised by their fathers to take a long, luxurious bath. Heck, even shave your legs...your husband will appreciate this.)
*It's okay to let your child have a Happy Meal every once in a while. They work well for bribery purposes and familiarize your children with chicken nuggets & processed meats for those times that you only have time & energy for microwavable meals.
*Your child does not have to be able to spell, read & write by the time they enter Pre-K. You don't want your child to get bored in school. Besides, you want to make sure your teachers earn their pay.
*As a stay-at-home Mom, it is perfectly fine to wear the same yoga pants or sweats several days in a row. It cuts down on laundry and thus, is good for the environment.
*It is also quite acceptable to go a couple of days without make-up and wear your hair pulled back in a pony-tail. That way, your husband will think you are so much more attractive when you actually do fix yourself up! It really helps increase the "Wow" factor! ;-)
*I occasionally slip and say a four letter word in front of my child. However, I would rather he hear it from me first than to hear it from one of his friends.
*I teach my child how to fight. (Don't get your feathers ruffled...that's not near as bad as it sounds) He knows not to ever start a fight, but Mommy teaches him Martial Arts so he knows how to FINISH a fight.
*It's okay to pick up something you have dropped on the floor and eat it. In these hard economic times, it's not okay to waste food. Plus, it will help build your child's immunity.
*Candy is okay and can even be nutritious. After all, corn syrup is made from a vegetable and chocolate contains flavonoids and antioxidants. Plus, milk chocolate (if eaten in mass quantities) can comprise a serving of dairy.
*There is nothing wrong with watching the same Disney, Dreamworks or Pixar movie over and over and over, again and again and again. Not only is this a good exercise in memorization skills, most of these films have positive life lessons. Although, with the exception of The Incredibles & Shrek, it is difficult to find any of these movies that portray traditional family units.
*If you are planning a long road trip or your child is having difficulty establishing a regular sleeping routine, one word....Benadryl. Okay, actually two words...Children's Benadryl.
*Point to the bubble security cameras in Walmart and grocery stores and explain that they are "Santa Cams" that are wired directly to the North Pole. Encourage your child to wave & smile at them. Use this technique and milk it for all it's worth for as long as you possibly can!
Feel free to use some of these tips with your own children...or do your own thing. Bottom line...no parenting advice is right 100% of the time. One thing I know to be an absolute truth...no two children are the same and what works for one child may not work for another. So what works for one parent, may not work for another. We all do our best, with what we are given, each and every day. We love, we hope, we pray and we do what ever it takes to raise our children into successful, healthy, happy adults that are normal...whatever your definition of normal may be. And in the event we fall short or fail, then I'm sure our children will grow up and resent us and hold us accountable for their failures or inadequacies. After all, that is a basically inherent human trait that has occurred generation after generation since the dawn of time. I suppose it is our responsibility not to break the cycle.
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