Let’s Ease Up on Parenting

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Recently, a friend of mine pointed out, “You’re making parenting tougher than it needs to be.” Even though I thought I had relaxed a bit after welcoming my third child, she was spot on. It got me thinking: Am I the only one caught in the struggle between wanting to micromanage every little detail and feeling uneasy about the freedom I’m giving my kids? Parenting in today’s world can be overwhelming, but are we making it more complicated than necessary?

I quickly came up with a few areas where I could lighten the load. Instead of piling on the pressure, let’s take a step back and make things easier. Here are some changes I’m planning to implement:

1. Letting Go of the Mess: I often find myself feeling anxious when I pass by my kids’ messy rooms. I’ve realized that I don’t need to pick up their dirty clothes while they’re at school. Instead, I’ll just close the door and let them have their space. Problem solved!
2. Chill on Meals and Sleep: I used to stress over getting my kids to eat and sleep on a strict schedule. I remember battling with my middle child over nap time. After some advice from a friend, I learned that I can’t force them to eat or sleep. If my toddler stops after two bites, I’ll let it go. If he’s hungry later, I can always offer him the plate again.
3. Adjusting Expectations: Sometimes, I forget that I’ve had 29 more years of experience than my oldest child. Why would she care about having a spotless room? I need to remember that kids learn through their own experiences, facing consequences just like we did.
4. Ditching the Picture-Perfect Life: Social media can make us feel like we need to compete for the “best life.” I’ve learned that it’s perfectly fine to take a simple photo rather than trying to capture every moment artfully. My childhood photos were much simpler, and that’s okay! Snap a quick pic and move on; life is beautiful in its own way.
5. Encouraging Independent Play: My kids actually play well together and use their imaginations when I let them. I’ve been guilty of over-scheduling our days. So, I’m going to encourage them to go outside and play more often. That way, I can enjoy a little quiet time to relax or read.
6. No More Self-Judgment: I’ve come to realize that I’m my own worst critic. Most people aren’t judging my parenting choices as harshly as I do. I need to celebrate the small wins of my day instead of focusing on what I didn’t accomplish.

The truth is, parenting is challenging enough without the added pressure we put on ourselves. Our kids will grow, learn, and make mistakes, regardless of how perfectly we try to parent them. And so will we!

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Summary: Parenting can be tough, but we often make it harder on ourselves with unrealistic expectations and constant pressure. By letting go of the small stuff, adjusting our expectations, and allowing our kids to play independently, we can make the journey a bit easier. Remember, it’s all about finding balance!