Parenting Resolutions

I've compiled a list of Parent-centric resolutions that I would like to try to stick to as much as possible. Being a parent is the hardest job in the world, and hopefully having these posted as a reference can be gentle reminders to help me be the best that I can be.

1. I won't use the excuse "I'm too tired" too often with my kids.  Note the 'too often' is not a 'never' as I am sure there will be times when I will seriously be too tired to play Lets Run Around The House Like Crazy Chimps On Speed for the 8th time within the hour.  I just dont want my kids one day remembering me as the tired old lady.  

2. Avoid using the word "hate" in front of the kids.  Whether it's in reference to another annoying Britney Spears song on the radio or while expressing dread for having to attend an awful Karaoke party.  My father always told me "hate" is a strong, ugly word and I hope to teach my kids the same.

3. Laugh often and laugh loudly. Maybe not when I'm totally alone though...

4. Accept that no parents are perfect, and it's OK to make mistakes.  There are a countless number of times that I go to bed with this heavy feeling of guilt, thinking I could've handled a certain situation with my kids better, I could have reacted in a calmer way or been a better role model.  I need to stop being so hard on myself and just try to learn from my mistakes.

5. I resolve that for at least half an hour a day, I will do an activity or just chill with my kids without having my iphone near me.  It's nauseating how often I look at that thing.  A half hour without instagram should be OK, right?

6. Make use of all the toys around the house.  We have so many toys that have been played with once if at all.  It's a serious shame, those toys are cool!  So, I need to find a way to rotate the toys in play.  

I saw these 3 resolutions from Jacque Grillo of the Savvy Source via the Facebook page of a lovely playspace in Dubai called apple seeds, and definitely wanted to include them:

Resolution #1: Learn to just "be". Spend more time with your little one with no specific activity planned. Show your children your carefree and spontaneous side. While structure and routine are important, it helps to shake things up every once in a while for you and them.

Resolution #2: Get out of your child's way. Provide her with time, either alone or with friends, that is largely unsupervised and where an adult will only intervene when the screams reach a high decibel level. Teach them to trust in themselves. Let them make mistakes and experience the consequences. Stop rescuing.

Resolution #3: Remember what life before children was like. Commit to having a life of your own with your own activities, friends and interests. It's not only good for you but a great model for your children. 


Do you have any parenting resolutions you would like to share?

Images: crescentmoon, Ozzy Garcia,