Seven tips for being a more light-hearted parent...1. LAUGH! At least once a day, make each child helpless with laughter.
2. Sing in the morning! It's hard both to sing and to maintain a grouchy mood.
3. Get enough sleep for yourself!!!!!
4. Most messages to kids are negative: "stop", "don't", "no". Try to say "yes". "Yes, we'll go as soon as you've finished eating."
5. Say "no" only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure! Put water in the toy tea set? Okay!
6. Repetition works with kids, so use the school mantras: "Sit square in your chair", "You get what you get and you don't get upset".
7. Remember: The age of Cheerios and the Tooth Fairy is fleeting. The days are long, but the years are short!
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Thanks again to Gretchen Rubin!
2. Sing in the morning! It's hard both to sing and to maintain a grouchy mood.
3. Get enough sleep for yourself!!!!!
4. Most messages to kids are negative: "stop", "don't", "no". Try to say "yes". "Yes, we'll go as soon as you've finished eating."
5. Say "no" only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure! Put water in the toy tea set? Okay!
6. Repetition works with kids, so use the school mantras: "Sit square in your chair", "You get what you get and you don't get upset".
7. Remember: The age of Cheerios and the Tooth Fairy is fleeting. The days are long, but the years are short!
--------------------------------------
Thanks again to Gretchen Rubin!
12 comments:
Great tips! Hubby was always one to immediately say no when the kids asked for anything. I'd always punch him and remind him to save the no's for when it really mattered.
I agree who wants to hear no all the time! heck my ids use tupperware for swimming pools for their toys.
I think getting enough sleep is the biggest challenge of all! Thanks for such a great reminder, Jeanne. I really needed to see a list like this today. :)
-Francesca
Those are great tips. I could use some extra sleep for sure.
Well said, "the days are long but the years are short". I think I'd prefer it in the reverse!
i love these tips!!! i'm so with you on #5....thanks for posting these!
Love that last line.
The unmatched clothing makes me think about picking your battles. Clothing sure wasn't a battle I ever felt was worth fighting.
I like the twisting things around to the positive too.
Great tips!!
Great tips - for me especially #6 and #7. I struggle with keeping my child seated properly at meal times so I will try out "sit square in your chair". My daughter also likes to say "you get what you get and don't throw a fit". But she doesn't always follow her advice. :)
The whole sleep thing is where I have a problem.
But good tips, anyway.
Fairy's fleeting, Cheerios forever!
This is so true! Now I just need to get more sleep down pat:)
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