Being a parent is a lot of hard work . Every day there seems to be a new challenge that we have to face and always remember that our kids are the ones we are impacting and dealing with.
Whatever we choose to do or decide impacts our tiny humans. So, we worry if we are making the right choices all of the time. But, as other parents will tell you, there’s no rule book .
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Kids are who they are, don’t try to make them who you want them to be.
“Your kids are going to be who they are and not what you imagined them to be. From a young age. Let it happen and don’t fight it. Encourage it,” stated BadParentingAdvice .
Step into their world rather than yell and scream.
One Reddit user said that if there is something going on with your child, try to figure out what is motivating that behavior rather than yelling and screaming at them. Stepping into their mind and figuring it out will help more.
Be flexible.
therealmichaelbolton shared you may have gone into parenthood with all of these rules and expectations, but with kids, you have to be flexible. They just want to be happy, fed, loved, and entertained. So what if they get screen time or they don’t eat organic? It won’t destroy them.
If you’re asking if something makes you a bad parent, you’re not a bad parent.
rbaltimore said that if you stop and ask yourself if doing something specific makes you a bad parent, chances are you are not a bad parent. Bad parents most likely aren’t asking themselves that question.
Keep the judging to yourself.
“Try try try to resist judging other parents. You never know what other parents are struggling with. I have come to the realization that most parents are just trying THEIR best. It may not be the same as my best, but it’s the best for their child,” said Sabreens .
Always tell your kids how much you love them.
dermzzz shared to never miss an opportunity to tell your kids how much you love them. Get down to their eye level, tell them you love them and you are proud of them, you never know when things can change.
Pick your battles.
“Save your actual yelling or nagging for things that really count. If you’re constantly picking on the things that aren’t putting them or anyone else in jeopardy, they’ll have a harder time hearing you when you really need them to. If it’s not illegal or unsafe, bite your tongue as much as possible,” said mercedesbends .
Every kid is different.
justme753 shared it’s important to remember that all kids are different. What works for one child won’t work for another child and vice-versa. If someone gives you advice, don’t ignore it, but don’t expect it to always work.
It’s okay to mock them or get angry at them.
“You will mock them so much more than you’ll ever let on. You will also sometimes feel in the very pit of your soul like you’re going to throw them out the window if you don’t walk out of the room right now . And neither of those make you a horrible parent,” said whenifeellikeit .
If you have two kids, your second one won’t work the way your first one did.
groundhogcakeday said that you may have your first kid and learn so much, thinking you got it down pat for your second kid, but then you have your second kid and nothing works the same.
Kids repeat everything, more than you even think.
“That you will realize what phrases you say far too often when your child echoes them. And it will make you feel ashamed. And you’ll probably still carry on using them far too often,” shared NatskuLovester .
Savor all the little things.
GrimGrinningGoats said that it’s important to always savor everything, all the little moments you love or think are adorable. The milestones are important, but the little moments are the ones you are going to want to remember always.
Teach them by modeling.
“Do the things you want them to do. Don’t do the things you don’t want them to do. Treat others the way you want them to treat others. They will absolutely do as you do and not as you say. The more you try to fight that, the more you’ll f**k them up,” shared The_Yar .
Kids will love you and kids will hate you.
tanman1975 said that kids will both love and hate you. They have mood swings and ups and downs, just don’t take it personally. Chalk it up to kids being moody and temperamental.
Teach your children good habits so they can always fall back on them.
“I thought I could teach mine to be strong and independent and to make good choices, and when they make bad choices repeatedly there is little to fall back on,” shared shoneone .