Five Parenting Tips from Other Moms
By Charlotte Bowman
Recently we asked our Facebook fans to tell us any advice from their own mothers that has served them well in parenting? We think the following tips are well worth sharing.
Choose your battles.
Inevitably, you’re going to have to make some executive decisions regarding which battles to engage in and which to concede to your child. Do you let your 5-year-old wear her princess costume to preschool, or do you bar the door until she puts on shorts and a T-shirt? After all, you have only a certain amount of time, energy, and patience, and you can’t afford to blow it on stuff that doesn’t really matter. The tricky part is figuring out if the battle “is worth fighting for?” — especially if you’ve got to think fast.
Be structured.
Kids crave structure and discipline, and they look to parents to not just tell them but show them how to live. Research suggests that children whose families follow a daily routine may be healthier, better behaved and could even perform better at school. Just having dinner together every night helps a family get to know each other, and a bedtime routine is essential for build a good sleep pattern in your child.
Stay off the phone when kids are around!
Parenting is the art of paying attention. Paying attention means more than being physically present. It means learning how to listen to your kids, how to talk with them, and how to respond to their actions. It’s not easy, especially in today’s busy world. But as one fan said, “Today only comes once, so don’t miss out… the park with the phone in the car is much more fun for all of you.”
Sleep when your newborn sleeps.
This is hardly original advice, but it’s very good advice for first time parent. Newborns sleep at odd times. They seem oblivious to differences between night and day. And they awaken frequently. If you try to stick to a pre-pregnancy sleep routine, you’ll be a very, very tired parent. Resting when your baby does will help you survive the first few months of motherhood. Even if it seems you are just “lying there,” you might be getting a little cat nap!
It’s OK to say “No” to your child.
Why do many of us seem to struggle with saying “No” to our kids? When you say “No” and follow through, you are telling your child you love her, you want her to be safe, and your expectations of her are high enough that you are willing to let her be miserable (by setting a consequence) so that she will change her behavior. As one fan put it, “Saying “No” is sometimes the best answer. They won’t die if they cry, and they won’t hate you despite what they say.”
So… What advice did you get from your own mother that has served you well in parenting? Or advice from anyone that was a life saver!
Please contact Charlotte Bowman, Muscogee Moms LLC, at
(706) 888-0260 or [email protected] for duplication/publication use.
Photo Credit: istockphoto.com
