Making a case for parent anti-resolutions
A pep talk for parents
In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable, with inflation soaring, the lingering presence of COVID, and global uncertainties, you're doing something extraordinary: raising young children. Your journey is not just a path but a courageous adventure, and it's important to recognize the strength you show every day.
Here at Smart Sitting, we’ve been talking a lot about New Year’s resolutions lately (and how so many of them have already fallen by the wayside…) and how parents put such high expectations on themselves for all the things they should be “able” to do. And while parents do seem superhuman sometimes, we still all have the same 24 hours in a day.
For this reason, we want to offer you these anti-resolutions: permission to cut yourself a little slack. We’ve met thousands of families through the years, and trust us, we know you can do the below and still be the amazing parent your kid will be lucky to grow up with.
5 anti-resolutions for parents this year
1. Forgive Yourself:
First and foremost, forgive yourself when you fall off your intended parenting path. There will be days when your patience wears thin, when your voice may rise a bit higher than you intended. It's okay.
Losing your temper, missing an important moment for your kiddo, or ending up in public with a screaming hungry baby and no bottle in sight doesn't make you a bad parent; it makes you human. Embrace these moments not with guilt, but as reminders of your enduring love and commitment and that at the end of the day what your kiddo needs isn’t perfect, but good enough.
2. Embrace Imperfection
Your house doesn't need to be spotless, and your schedules don't have to be flawless. Give yourself the grace to accept that imperfection is not only normal but healthy. It's in these unpolished moments that memories are often made and lessons are learned.
While your mother-in-law may remember dishes in your sink, literally no one else will. As for your kiddo, they are much more likely to remember those extra minutes you spent snuggled on the couch, singing five little monkeys (even if it is out of key).
3. Screen Time Can Be a Sometimes-Friend
Yes, in a perfect world, our kids would always be engaged in creative play or educational activities. But sometimes, a little screen time is exactly what's needed – for them and for you. It's a window for you to catch your breath, get those stupid dishes done after all, and for your kiddo to explore stories and worlds in a digital format. Balance is key, and a bit of screen time can be part of that balance.
4. The Sweetness of Treats
Same thing here as with screens, really. An occasional sweet treat is more than just a delight; it's a celebration of the small joys in life. It's a reminder that amidst the strict routines and healthy habits, there's always room for a little indulgence.
These moments of shared joy over a cookie or an ice cream are as nutritious for the soul as vegetables are for the body. Maybe your family can embrace low-sugar, instead of no sugar.
5. Dare to Seek and Share Support
However it feels, you are not alone in any struggles as a parent. Although it’s easy to think everyone else somehow magically got ideal children who sleep through the night, grow on the curve, and say their first sonnet before yours has graduated past being delighted by saliva bubbles, that just isn’t the case. Trust us when we tell you how many parents reach out to us, frustrated and worried that something is out of the ordinary, when they tell us exactly the same thing we’ve heard from others or experienced ourselves.
So dare to reach out to other parents, join community groups, or even find support in online forums. Share your stories, your struggles, and your successes. Other parents may have just the trick that will work for you, but sometimes, just knowing there's someone else out there who understands can be an immense relief.
There’s one thing we do want to put on your to-do list that requires a few more minutes of your time: the next time you are looking for childcare, reach out to a nanny agency.
Let us support you, too
While we advocate for these anti-resolutions (that you actually can keep!), there’s one thing we do want to put on your to-do list that requires a few more minutes of your time: the next time you are looking for childcare, reach out to a nanny agency.
Since getting our start nearly 15 years ago, we here at Smart Sitting have stuck to a personalized approach in matching families and nannies, getting to know everyone individually and making thoughtful matches based on what each side is looking for. But we don’t just wave goodbye as soon as you hire your nanny; we are always here to give advice, facilitate communication, and help you as a parent handle anything that comes up along the way in your working relationship.
So give yourself a break and let yourself take advantage of the support of a premiere nanny agency. Then you can keep being the wonderful parent you are – flaws and all – and keep creating a universe of love, learning, and laughter for your little ones, long after January’s resolutions have been tossed out the window.