Tips for Being a More Light-Hearted Parent (in Honor of Lauren)

[KnoxvilleDoula]

Tips for Being a More Light-Hearted Parent

Do you want to be a more light-hearted parent; less nagging, more laughing?

Here are some tips that may help:

1. 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, and it sets a happy tone for everyone.

3. Get enough sleep. It’s so tempting to stay up late, to enjoy the peace and quiet. But 6:30 AM comes fast.

4. Avoid feeling cranky by getting organized the night before and making sure you’re not rushed.

5. Most messages to kids are negative: “stop,” “don’t,” “no.” Try to cast your answers as “yes.” “Yes, we’ll go as soon as you’ve finished eating,” not “We’re not leaving until you’ve finished eating.”

6. 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. Sleep with your head at the foot of the bed? Fine.

Everyone wants a peaceful, cheerful, even joyous, atmosphere at home -- but you can’t nag and yell your way to get there. So think about ways, like those listed above, to cut back on the shouting and to add moments of laughing, singing, and saying “yes.”

Sources:

  The Happiness Project July 15, 2006

[mommypip]

Aug. 30, 2009 at 10:50 PM

This is very nice and I'm sorry about your friend. I read your other post and what happened was tragic.

[mcqueenmom]

Aug. 31, 2009 at 1:04 AM

Thanks, I needed that. Sorry about your good friend

[Krystal.Ingalls]

Sep. 1, 2009 at 1:03 PM

Thanks for this.  =)  I'll have to keep some of this in mind for when my son gets older. 

[KnoxvilleDoula]

Sep. 1, 2009 at 2:50 PM

I really liked the article. Thank you for all your comments :)

(Original Poster)