New Year’s resolutions — have you made any for 2024? A week in, how’s it shaping up? Instead of setting strict resolutions, I’m all about practices this year. It gives room to grow, learn, and hey, mess up a little along the way. So, let's dive into some parenting practises for 2024!
1. Pause
Ever thought a pause could be a parenting superpower? It’s a game-changer. Taking that moment can shift you from reacting impulsively to responding with care. Trust me, it saves tons of regret later. But, it's not easy! Celebrate every time you manage it and cut yourself some slack when you don’t.
Imagine your kid spills juice all over the freshly cleaned floor. Your instinct might be to react, but a pause could help. Instead of snapping, you take a breath and calmly ask them to help clean up. It turns a potential meltdown into a teachable moment.
2. Regulate and Relate
Once you’ve got that pause down, regulating and relating become smoother. It’s not about suppressing feelings but understanding them before choosing how to respond. Your calm vibe helps your kids regulate their own emotions. And that connection? It’s the secret sauce before addressing any issue.
Your child throws a tantrum at the store because they want a toy. Instead of getting flustered, you take a moment to understand their frustration. You offer a hug and explain why they can’t have the toy now but offer an alternative later. Connecting before reasoning often does wonders.
3. Rupture and Repair
We’re all human, right? We goof up. And that’s where repair steps in. If you lose your cool, apologise. It's never too late to make amends. It builds trust and shows your children the value of fixing things when they go south. Afterall, healthy relationships are built on rupture and repair.
You lose your cool after a long day and raise your voice when your child refuses to finish homework. Later, you sit down, apologise, and talk about how everyone has tough moments. You promise to work on handling stress better. It mends the tear and strengthens your bond while modelling important relationship skills.
4. Protect Your Peace
Knowing your triggers helps protect your sanity. If messiness drives you up the wall, find ways to manage it without stifling your kids’ creativity. Create spaces for controlled chaos and set realistic expectations. Your peace matters as much as theirs.
If a cluttered house drives you nuts, create a system with clear bins for toys. You allow controlled mess in one room while keeping the rest tidy. It gives your child the freedom to play and you the peace of mind.
5. Trust the Process
Kids will be kids. They’ll mess up, test limits, and that's okay. Their brains are still developing until their mid to late twenties! Support and guide them, but ease up on the worry. Embrace the learning from their blunders and let them find their way.
Your child struggles with sharing toys. Instead of fretting, you offer gentle guidance and let them learn through experience. Over time, they understand the value of sharing through interactions with other kids.
So, here’s to 2024 parenting practices! Take your pick, give it a shot, stumble a bit, and try again. Progress, not perfection, is the aim. Let’s rock being ‘good enough’ parents this year!
~Rose Couse~
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