Why I Ditched These 8 Parenting Rules (And You Should Too)

As a first-time mom at 34, I had grand plans about what I would or wouldn’t do as a parent. Spoiler alert: I quickly learned that every rule I set came with solid reasons to toss them out the window.

1. No Co-Sleeping

I had dreams of my baby sleeping soundly in a bassinet all night, but reality hit hard when my little one turned into a tiny alarm clock, waking every hour. Co-sleeping became a lifesaver. Honestly, after a rough adjustment period, I found myself loving our nighttime snuggles. Now that our son is 6, we still enjoy family sleepovers on Fridays.

2. No Formula

I grew up in a time when formula was a four-letter word, yet here I was, breastfeeding my son until he was 2 and occasionally giving him formula to keep my sanity intact. My partner, Alex, pointed out that my struggles were unnecessary, and we all slept better because of it.

3. No Sugar

My dad was super strict about sugar when I was young, but you know how that story goes—I ended up sneaking sweets and racked up a ton of cavities. Now I’m all for moderation. My kid loves gummy worms but isn’t obsessed with candy. We’ve found a healthy balance.

4. Only Organic Food

In an ideal world, we’d eat all organic, but life doesn’t always allow for that. Our finances have shifted since my son was born, and sometimes convenience wins out over perfection. Plus, my parents survived on Jell-o and Spam, right?

5. No Television

We weren’t big TV watchers, so it was easy to stick to the “No TV before age 2” rule. But as a work-at-home mom with an only child, I’ve learned that a little screen time can be a necessary break. Now that he’s in first grade and has homework, an hour of downtime is totally acceptable. It’s all about teaching him moderation, just like with sugar.

6. No Separate Meals

We all have different tastes, and that’s okay! My son isn’t a fan of mint or plums, while I adore them. After discovering I have celiac disease, I realize that our meals need some flexibility. I whip up a main dish we can share and add sides that he and Alex enjoy.

7. No Time-Outs

I grew up thinking time-outs were cruel, but once I became a mom, I realized they can actually help us both cool off. More often than not, I’m the one who needs a time-out to breathe and regroup.

8. No Bribery

When you’ve made it through a chaotic shopping trip or a dreaded doctor’s appointment, if a little treat or a promise of screen time keeps the peace, it’s worth it. Sometimes you’ve gotta do what you gotta do to survive!

The one rule I’ll always stick to? Showing my son that it’s perfectly okay for boys to express affection. Whether it’s a cuddle at bedtime or extra kisses, I want him to know he’s loved, no matter how many times he asks.

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In summary, parenting is a messy, unpredictable adventure, and sometimes you just have to let go of the rules for the sake of sanity and happiness.