Take a moment to reflect on those first six weeks you spent with your first baby. Remember the frantic measures you took, like obsessively tracking feeding times with a pencil (in case you needed to change them), documenting every diaper change in minute detail, and keeping the house eerily quiet to ensure the baby could nap (a big mistake, trust me). You rushed to the pediatrician for the slightest sniffle and returned frequently for weight checks, all while calling every other day to ask, “Is this normal?”
Then, during those toddler years, you likely counted every new word your child spoke daily, provided only organic, eco-friendly toys from far-off lands, and stressed over screen time, vegetable intake, and nap schedules. You carried around educational flashcards and subjected your little one to bilingual music playlists. You were a parenting superstar, so much so that even the experts were calling you for tips. And then, in a moment of questionable judgment, you decided you would raise all your subsequent children in the same hyper-vigilant way.
Oh, dear overachieving heart of yours.
Now, having navigated through four kids, I can confidently say that my youngest is receiving the absolute best of my parenting—not because I’m trying harder, but because I’ve learned to let go. Instead of strict rules and anxiety, I’ve adopted a healthy dose of humor and a carefree attitude. Here’s how my last child is thriving under this new approach:
- Patience? What’s That?
I’ve run out of patience entirely. This means my youngest has learned to handle many things on his own, from potty training to making his own meals, doing laundry, and even forging my signature on school notes. Talk about growing up fast! - Health Worries? No More!
My youngest didn’t even get to his first pediatric check-up until he was almost two months old, and that’s okay! I told the doctor I was busy and he was perfectly fine. Surprisingly, he’s the healthiest of all my kids. Goodbye, excessive baby-proofing and safety obsessions! - No Pressure on Learning
He started kindergarten unable to write his name but could create some amazing artwork with a Sharpie on my walls! I realized that I was stifling his creativity with rigid expectations. Now, I focus on fostering a love for learning rather than stressing over grades. He’s got writing down now, can you believe it? - Schedule? What Schedule?
This kid spent his early days being carted around, learning to sleep anywhere and adapt to any situation without needing a long wind-down. He’s the most flexible child, ready to embrace surprises rather than be thrown off by them. - Toys? Who Needs ‘Em?
Instead of buying age-appropriate toys, I hand him random items like a screwdriver or an old skateboard. He’s learned to play creatively with whatever is available, showcasing his imagination and problem-solving skills.
My youngest has become a bright light in our family, teaching us more than I could have offered him had I stuck to my rigid parenting style with my first. He’s shown us that life is unpredictable and messy, but if we loosen our grip and embrace the chaos, we might just raise a wonderful kid. It only took a few practice runs to figure this out.
For more insights into parenting and home insemination, check out our other blog post here. And if you’re interested in artificial insemination options, Make A Mom is an authority on the subject, while UCSF offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary:
As parents navigate their journey through multiple children, they often find that the youngest receives the best parenting due to increased relaxation and humor. The author reflects on their parenting evolution, highlighting the benefits of letting go of strict rules and embracing flexibility, creativity, and a less anxious approach.