As my neighborhood welcomes a fresh wave of enthusiastic new parents, I can’t help but reflect on my own parenting journey. My kids are now in elementary and middle school, giving me ample time to ponder the wins and blunders (mostly blunders) of my earlier years as a mom. If I had a chance to do it all over again, here are ten things I would approach differently:
1. No Hamster Ownership
Seriously, I would steer clear of having a hamster (or two). The stress of ensuring these tiny creatures survived was overwhelming. I spent more time cleaning their cage than my own house, and in the end, they still didn’t make it. If I can’t keep a 4-ounce rodent alive, how am I supposed to raise two kids? Plus, the irony of having mouse traps in the garage while desperately trying to keep hamsters alive in the house is just too much. Talk about a rodent paradox.
2. Ditch the Over-scheduled Doll
My daughter’s American Girl doll had a schedule that would put a CEO to shame. From snowboarding to violin lessons, it was a whirlwind of activities that resulted in one major letdown: the doll never committed to any of them. Imagine the therapy bills at the American Girl psychiatric center!
3. Speak in British Accents
I genuinely believe our home would be a happier place if we all spoke with British accents. Can you imagine? “Mummy, I accidentally missed the loo” sounds far more charming than “I peed on the floor again.” Plus, calling someone a “twit” instead of an “idiot” would certainly reduce sibling squabbles.
4. Skip Disney World with Toddlers
Taking a 3 and 5-year-old to Disney World felt like we were competing in an episode of the Amazing Race. We ran from ride to ride, all while managing two little ones and what felt like a mountain of supplies. By the end of the day, we were exhausted and hangry, and the only prize we got was a 30-second ride on Dumbo.
5. Forget the Baby Einstein Videos
Those “educational” videos kept my kids glued to the screen while I cooked dinner, but now I wonder—were they really worth it? Sure, they can name every farm animal, but that skill hasn’t helped them in school. I’d like a refund, please.
6. Postpone Sports Until Age 6
Enrolling our son in soccer at age 3 was a mistake. He was burned out by age 5, wishing he had stuck with it longer. My husband reminds him that he didn’t enjoy it back then, but kids often don’t know what they like at that age. Unless they truly love it, skip the pee-wee sports. There’s plenty of time for that later.
7. Lie About Kids’ Menu Options
My kids have grown to be picky eaters, predominantly fans of pizza and chicken nuggets. If only I had sold them on the idea that the kids’ menu featured gourmet dishes like arugula salad and rack of lamb, perhaps I wouldn’t be living with such limited culinary choices.
8. Avoid Expensive Toddler Classes
Spending a fortune on music and gym classes for my 2-year-old was perhaps an unnecessary splurge. Sure, they can jump into a ball pit and bang on a xylophone, but did we really need organized classes for that? Spoiler alert: my kid still can’t do a proper plank.
9. Stick to One LEGO Set
Instead of buying every LEGO set under the sun, I would have opted for one large set to be rewrapped for every occasion. After building an intricate model, my son often would declare he was done playing with it for fear of it breaking. The marketing scheme had me hooked, and now I’m left with a mountain of unused LEGOs.
10. No Extravagant Birthday Parties for Toddlers
We threw our son an elaborate Spider-Man party at the age of 2. Years later, when he saw the photos, he asked, “Whose party was that?” Kids go to so many parties, they can’t differentiate between them. Instead of spending a fortune, I could have just snapped a few pictures at other kids’ celebrations.
Ultimately, these lessons have shaped my approach to parenting. If you’re interested in more tips and insights, check out some of our other posts on home insemination at this link. And if you’re seeking resources on pregnancy and home insemination, this source is an excellent resource.
In summary, parenting is a journey filled with both joys and challenges. While we all make mistakes, the key is to learn from them and enjoy the ride.