As my neighborhood welcomes fresh faces and new moms with their impeccably dressed little ones, I often find myself reflecting on my own parenting journey. My kids are now in elementary and middle school, giving me the chance to ponder some of the choices I made (or didn’t make) back in the day. If I had the chance to do it all again, here are ten things I would approach differently:
- No More Hamsters: The stress of caring for these tiny pets is beyond ridiculous. I spent more time cleaning their cage than tidying up my own home, and they still didn’t survive. If I can’t manage a 4-ounce rodent, how can I be expected to raise two humans? Plus, it’s a bit absurd that while we were trying to save little Snickers, we had mouse traps in the garage. Talk about mixed messages.
- Less Overscheduling for Dolls: I totally get the allure of American Girl dolls, but my daughter’s doll had a penchant for quitting. From snowboarding to violin lessons, she dropped every new hobby like a bad habit. Instead of joy, it turned into family disappointment. Therapy at the American Girl hospital might have been in order!
- Adopt a British Accent: Imagine the politeness in our home if we all spoke with a British accent. “Mummy, I accidentally missed the loo” sounds way better than “I peed on the floor again.” Our conversations would be filled with charm instead of chaos, making family life a bit more delightful.
- Avoid Disneyworld with Toddlers: Taking a 3- and 5-year-old to a massive amusement park felt like we were in a real-life episode of The Amazing Race. We raced from ride to ride, and by the end, we were utterly exhausted and hangry. The memory of riding Dumbo for 30 seconds hardly made up for the craziness.
- Skip the Baby Einstein Obsession: My kids were glued to those so-called educational videos, and while they can now name every barn animal, those skills haven’t exactly helped them in school. I’d love a refund on that investment!
- Hold Off on Sports Until Age 6: Our son started soccer at 3 and quit by 5. He now wishes he had stuck with it, but at that age, his decision-making wasn’t so great. Unless your child truly enjoys it, there’s no need for those early morning pee-wee games. There will be plenty of time for that later.
- Lie About the Kids’ Menu: Had I convinced my kids that the kids’ menu offered gourmet choices like arugula salad or salmon, they might not be such picky eaters today. Instead, I’m left with two little pizza enthusiasts who can’t seem to branch out.
- Avoid Costly Music and Gym Classes: Sure, my kids can handle a parachute and jump into a ball pit, but did we really need to pay for organized classes to achieve that? My 3-year-old still can’t do a proper plank after all that gym time, so what was the point?
- One LEGO Set Repackaged for Every Occasion: When my son fell in love with LEGOs, I thought it was great! But soon he was too afraid to take apart his massive creations. Buying one large set to rewrap for every birthday and holiday would’ve been a smarter move.
- Keep Birthday Parties Simple: We threw our son a grand Spider-Man party when he was just 2, but when he looked at the photos years later, he couldn’t remember whose party it even was! Kids go to so many events that they can’t keep track. Why not snap a few pics at someone else’s party and save yourself some stress?
So there you have it, folks. Take note of my parenting misadventures as you embark on your own journey. And remember, “it goes by so fast!” Oh, and maybe avoid telling new moms that, too.
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Summary
Reflecting on my parenting journey, I’ve identified several choices I would reconsider, from avoiding hamsters to simplifying birthday parties. These lessons highlight the challenges and humorous moments of raising children and serve as a guide for new moms navigating their own paths.