According to the vast sea of parenting advice on the internet, I should be labeled a terrible parent.
Now, let me clarify: my kids are happy, social little beings who bring joy wherever they go. Still, I seem to ignore every guideline they say we should follow when raising children. Here’s a rundown of my daily “parenting failures,” in no particular order.
- Television Commanders:
My children, ages two and four, have mastered the art of the remote control. They can navigate the DVR and select their favorite shows without my help. - Snack Time Freedom:
“Can I have a cookie?” Yes. “Can I have a lollipop?” Yes. “Can I have some Goldfish?” Yes. I believe in letting them enjoy their treats. - Juice Box Nonchalance:
Honestly, I have no clue how many ounces of juice they consume daily. When asked, “How much do they drink?” my response is always “I don’t fucking know.” - Naptime Negotiations:
Only my youngest still takes naps. My four-year-old? He’s done with that. I refuse to spend hours trying to keep him in bed for a nap that just isn’t happening. - Co-sleeping with the Toddler:
My little girl, who never co-slept as an infant, now happily climbs into my bed each night. I have no issue with this—there’s plenty of space just for us. - Raising My Voice:
I admit it: I yell. It’s not effective, but I’m human. After repeating “no” for the umpteenth time, I sometimes lose my cool. - Hot Dog Enthusiast:
My kids love hot dogs, and I have no regrets about it. I mean, they’re delicious, right? - Slide Climber:
Every single day, my son decides it’s a good idea to climb up the slide. He’s learned to move to the side when someone’s coming down. - Flexible Bedtime:
My kids don’t have a strict bedtime. They know they need to be out of the common areas by around 8 PM, but then they play in their room until they’re ready for sleep, usually around 9:30 for the older one. When people ask what will happen when he starts school, I figure he’ll just be tired and adapt.
I’m sure there are countless other things I do that “they” say are wrong. However, I don’t see myself as a “bad parent”—actually, I think I’m doing great. My children are well-mannered, friendly, and enjoy socializing. They can sit through meals at restaurants like champs!
One day, I decided to stop feeling guilty about not adhering to every parenting guideline out there. My own mother did all these things and I turned out just fine! I used to pretend that my kids didn’t eat hot dogs or that I never raised my voice—why was I trying to impress anyone? Parenting isn’t a competition.
In the end, it’s not about the nitty-gritty; it’s about the love we give our kids. Every parent has their own priorities, and I’m at peace with mine. Juice boxes and all.
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Summary:
In this light-hearted reflection, Lisa Harper shares her unconventional parenting style, highlighting the joys and challenges of raising her two children without adhering to traditional norms. With a focus on love and fun, she embraces her unique approach, proving that there’s no one-size-fits-all in parenting.
Keyphrase: parenting failures
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