1. Look after yourself
Parental needs are usually a distant second to those of children, but making sure you don’t lose sight of your own health and wellbeing is essential. Maintaining peak physical and mental condition will not only help you look and feel great, but the kids benefit as you’ll have more energy and patience to help meet the mountain of daily demands.
Simple things like following a balanced diet, supplementing with a good quality multivitamin and regular exercise will help to keep you at your best rather than feeling tired and worn out.
2. Consider a child’s outlook
It’s easier said than done, but try to look at things from a child’s point of view once in a while. Children can be irrational (so can adults for that matter!), but it can pay to try to understand where they are coming from.
If, for example, a child strongly objects to being taken grocery shopping, it’s probably because they find the experience tedious. It’s often the case, you have no choice but to take them on grocery expeditions try to make the experience child-friendly.
Larger grocery stores now have mini trolleys that might prove to be a hit with young kids and older children might like helping choose or cross off items on shopping lists. Although doing things we don’t like is a good lesson in life, well-executed compromises can also pay dividends.
3. Get active
Given the choice, many children prefer to be active and explore the great outdoors rather than staying holed up inside in front of a computer or TV. Nurturing such desires by instigated things like regular “discovery” walks, bike rides or occasionally getting down and dirty with kids in the backyard increases the chances of children growing into curious and active adults.
Not only do mum and dad get to enjoy quality time with the kids, but if the activity is moderately intensive, you can burn a few calories and feel good in the process!
4. Develop a reading habit
Reading books throughout children’s lives has many upsides, and it’s never too early to start! Reading is also a great activity as it is an intimate, relaxing and enjoyable way to spend time with a child.
5. Make food fun
Coming up with healthy, nutritious and tasty meals for children seven days a week, 365 days a year can prove a challenge for the most food-conscious parent! Children of all ages are often fussy and hard to please but don’t lose heart. Try to inject a bit of light-heartedness at meal times. Why not introduce regular food themed nights like Italian, Mexican or Thai?
For younger children, brighten up meal and snack times by thinking outside the box – things like pancakes or crepes with fruit or veggie faces or “fruit rockets” (fresh fruit threaded onto a wooden skewer), are a simple way to engage even the fussiest eaters.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff
It’s too easy to get caught up in little details and not see the bigger picture. Although worrying about how you’ll be able to afford that new dress, shoes, or set of golf clubs might make sense at the time, material possessions come and go whereas family relationships are a constant.
Sometimes choosing to leave the ironing or letting dirty plates sit in the kitchen sink for a few hours to spend time with the kids is the right choice. Children are young for a limited period of time so taking time out to appreciate each milestone is important as, with the frantic pace of modern life, it can easily pass you by.
7. Trust your instincts
Although books, friends and relatives are useful sources of information, learning to trust your own judgment and instinct is vital to long-term parenting success. A loving, caring and self-assured parent understands their child better than anyone else so although it’s fine to seek second opinions it’s important to back yourself.
8. Work on relationships
Relationships need time and commitment to work well. A parent that starts off with a base of unwavering love and understanding usually quickly wins a child’s trust and respect - which helps during the inevitable periods of conflict or strain.
It’s also beneficial to nurture bonds outside those of child/parent, particularly those with partners, extended family and friends as such relationships add another dimension to life.
9. Get organised
Trust, love and respect might be the foundations of parenting but honing individual organisational skills is critical to staying ahead of the game. Parenting can get hectic so making sure you plan ahead and arranging regular and varied experiences (outside of school and the home) are key to keeping kids happy and out of trouble.
Scheduling time for yourself along with time with your partner is also critical for personal sanity and marital wellbeing.
10. Avoid comparisons
Treating children as individuals is vital. Although sometimes hard to resist, comparisons between siblings or friends’ children is best avoided.
Comparing children too often may erode already fragile self-esteem. So rather than trying to mould a child into something they are not, celebrate uniqueness – even if it drives you a little crazy!
