5 Parenting Regrets You Should Ditch Right Now

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As I prepare to send my first child off to college, I find myself in a reflective mood. It’s hard not to think back on the countless parenting missteps I’ve made over the past 18 years. From obsessively counting dirty diapers in the early days to stressing over multiplication tables and spelling tests, and then navigating the chaotic teen years (when I was convinced my kid and I would never see eye to eye again), it’s easy to get caught up in the shoulda, coulda, wouldas.

But here’s the truth: I’ve decided to kick those regrets to the curb. I’ve learned a valuable lesson echoed by Maya Angelou: “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” And boy, have I learned a lot! I now realize how silly it was to stress over diaper counts, that failing a spelling test won’t lead to a life of despair, and that teenagers do eventually return to normalcy. All those regrets I let weigh me down were just wasted energy. I did my best with the knowledge and resources I had at the time, and that’s something I refuse to feel guilty about anymore.

So, let’s get this out there: stop wasting your precious mental energy on parenting regrets! Here are five things you can let go of right now:

1. Feeding Choices for Infants
   Whether you chose breastfeeding, formula, store-bought baby food, or organic purees, it really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. All that truly counts is that your little one was fed. Trust me, they’ll likely subsist on french fries and pizza during their teenage years anyway, so why stress?
2. Excessive Screen Time
   When I was battling postpartum depression with my third baby, my first two enjoyed a full year of Netflix and PBS Kids marathons just so I could survive. Are they suffering as a result? Not even close. Sometimes a screen is the best babysitter.
3. Not Reading Every Night
   As a librarian, I know how important reading is, yet even I couldn’t manage nightly story sessions. Literacy guilt? Forget it! Just let your kids see you enjoying a good book and ease up on the nightly expectations.
4. Missing Sports Events or Recitals
   With four kids, attending every game or performance is simply impractical. Do my kids feel unloved? Not at all! They understand they aren’t the center of the universe and that they don’t need an audience for every moment of their lives.
5. Work-Life Balance
   This is perhaps the biggest trap of all. Whether you’re working from home, at an office, or not working at all, what matters is that you’re providing for your family. Bills are paid, clothes are on their backs, and there’s food on the table – that’s what counts.

My greatest regret? Wasting years doubting my parenting abilities for no good reason. Now, as I send my child into the world, my hope is that he won’t spend a second regretting anything. He’ll know better.

For more insights on navigating the parenting journey, check out some of our other blog posts, including one about home insemination techniques that may be helpful. Additionally, if you’re looking into fertility services, consider visiting Hopkins Medicine Fertility Center for excellent resources.

In summary, let go of those parenting regrets and embrace the journey – after all, you’re doing great!