These are some of the things that I have learned over the short amount of time that I have been attending Parenting School, seven years and counting. These things have been trialled and tested, they work for me. They help me get through days when I no longer can cope. These things help me to still see the beauty in parenting particularly on the harder days. Parenting has helped me learn a lot about myself.
Parenting 101
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Kids are going to do naughty things. You just need to workout what are the important naughty things and what is worth just forgetting. Putting six toilet rolls down the toilet and trying to flush it is one of the naughty things I forgot I just got my husband to clean it so that I didn’t have to worry about it.
Parenting 102
It wasn’t until I had kids that I realised that I can’t sing. The number of times that I have heard mummy please stop singing makes me wonder how I played Singstar for so many years thinking I sounded good without an adult telling me any different. I love kids honesty… just not when they are talking about me.
Parenting 103
Kids are going to lie It’s important to not make a big deal about it. It makes them feel guilty. Guilt is never a good outcome. I have learned that educating them about the importance of honesty is more important than the lie itself. Children will make mistakes and this is how they learn. But they should never be made to feel guilty over something they have done. Especially if it is their first lie.
Parenting 104
Things I thought that were disgusting before don’t really bother me anymore. Like having a number three squirted in your face by a newborn baby, bah! Your children’s poo doesn’t smell half as bad as other children’s. I have had my children’s poo all over me. I have tasted it (don’t ask me). But give me another kid with a stinky nappy and that’s it for me.
Parenting 105
It really doesn’t matter how messy your house is. Let people judge. If you have children your house is going to be messy. There will be fingerprints on windows, food hidden under couches. As long as your house is semi-hygienic… (notice how I said semi) that’s all that maters. They do grow too quickly to be spending your time polishing. Although it is okay to waste 10 minutes before people come over to clean as fast as you possibly can.
Parenting 105
Children really do need routine. I don’t know about you but I get extremely stressed when I don’t know where I am going and what is happening next or if I have to wait another 2 hours for food. I’m not talking about order. I am talking about routine. Bed time at 6, bath before bed, dinner at 5 that sort of thing. I believe in free play through the day, but routine really does work. I’ve done both, no routine is way too stressful.
Parenting 106
I wish I had spent more time teaching my children new words. There are some days they say the word Mummy way too many times. I should have spent more time teaching them to say Daddy, my bad. I will remember that for next time if I am brave enough to go for number four (more like if my husband will allow me to have number 4).
Parenting 107
I really should have paid more attention at school and not spent so much of my time off with the fairies as more than one of my teachers reported. It is a skill that I need, it would help me to pay attention to my children more often and not say yes to things I really mean no too. I always have loved fairies.
Parenting 108
It really is important to be a good role model for your children. I have had terrible self-confidence and I don’t want to pass it onto my children. I will never say anything negative about myself in front of them. I have had my kids point out how funny my belly looks with all of its stretch marks and although this is something I am really self-conscious about I tell them it looks beautiful to me because that is where they lived for 9 months… they no longer comment on it.
Parenting 109
I thought becoming a parent would make me into an overnight Domestic goddess. I never ironed before I had kids. My seven year old asked me what an Iron is the other day. I need to find a new position to apply for. I don’t meet the criteria for domestic goddess… go figure?
Parenting 110 is missing. I have no excuse… maybe baby brain?
To finish off… unlike most university degrees you can’t get your masters in parenting, parenting is constant learning, no parent is perfect. It is hugely rewarding with the most amazing certification at the end, beautiful children that love you unconditionally (especially if you let them watch Spongebob instead of doing their homework). This school is worth trying your best at. It’s okay to get a few fail marks. You will be guaranteed to get an A for something, it may not be an A in the same class as one of your mummy friends, but know that your kids think you are the best mummy in the world.
Orignally posted on http://mindfulmummyhealing.com
Love and light and all things nice,
Kylie Riordan x
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