I recently received an email from a dad who had taken one of my early childhood parenting classes. He asked if I had a list of things parents of young children should know to “avoid getting hung up on.” I reached out to friends with older kids and received so much valuable real-life parenting wisdom! Here is Part One of what they shared:
Ann, mother of three (ages 14, 12, and 9), shared:
• Healthy Eating Habits for Kids: Don’t stress over making special meals just for them. Serve what you eat, and avoid getting caught up in the “my kid only eats mac and cheese” phase.
• Activities for Young Kids: Skip the pressure of signing up for every activity. Instead, start with music if it interests them, as it can be harder to fit into busy schedules later on.
• Minimal Toys, Maximum Creativity: Avoid constantly buying new toys to keep them entertained; fewer, well-chosen toys can actually help kids focus and enjoy playtime more.
• Early Reading Isn’t Everything: Focus on reading to your child rather than expecting them to read before kindergarten. Kids learn to read at different times—what matters is nurturing a love of reading.
• Parenting with Respect and Kindness: Teach by example; kids learn kindness and respect best by watching us model those behaviors.
Beth, mother of three (ages 20, 16, and 10), shared:
• Balanced Parenting Perspective: Stay informed, but balance the advice you read with what works best for your family. Don’t focus on making your children happy; instead, prioritize your own happiness.
• Sharing Interests: Share what you love with your children—if they take an interest, it’s something you can enjoy together for life.
• Think Long Term: You’re raising children to be responsible adults. They’ll spend 60 years as adults and only 20 as kids, so focus on the bigger picture. Even if a temper tantrum feels endless, know it’s just a phase.
Freddie, father of four, shared:
• Practical Parenting Tips for Daily Life: Don’t stress if your child refuses a coat just because you’d be cold without one.
• Flexible Bedtimes: Rigid bedtimes can bend when a special event arises. Kids will catch up on sleep, so enjoy the moment!
• Balanced Diets Over Time: Kids balance their diets over a week rather than a day. If you want them to develop healthy eating habits, keep fruits and vegetables a regular part of early meals.
These practical parenting tips offer realistic guidance for raising children. Parenting young kids is about balance, flexibility, and trusting your instincts—remember, you’re doing a great job!
