Many parents are under the impression that they have to do everything perfectly. I am here to tell you that is not the case! Parenting is a marathon and not a sprint, so it’s okay if you don’t get every last thing right because at least you’re participating in this great race called life. Here are some Practical Parenting Tips Keeping it Simple as a mom.
I’m a mom of 7 kids who’s had my fair share of parenting challenges. From the first time I made dinner for my family to last night when I lost my mind because one kid was acting out, it’s been quite the journey. Along the way, I’ve learned that sometimes you just need to keep it simple in order to have peace in my home and most importantly in my mind.
Practical Parenting Tips: Keeping it Simple
Finding practical tips for keeping parenting simple is not only good for your sanity but also for your whole family. To do this I’ve found some ways to make this happen.
Set realistic expectations for yourself and your children -Stay calm in moments where emotions may be heightened (i.e., meltdowns) by focusing on what is happening right now instead of worrying about future consequences or past mistakes.
Take care of yourself—whether that means taking a break from parenting for an hour or stepping away completely; make time for yourself on a regular basis.
Keep it Simple Sweetie
When it comes to parenting, less is more. Simple ideas are always the best and there’s no exception for KISS! The acronym stands for ‘Keep It Simple Stupid’ or “keep it simple sweetie” which sounds much better in my opinion. 🙂
This idea goes along with other concepts such as LESS = MORE meaning you should focus on simplicity instead of complexity when parenting. It makes sense to me to just choose one thing that matters most right now then move forward slowly from there.
I know we all say this but picking our battles is one of the most important things I’ve learned through the years. I also feel it’s important to choose what needs to be done when it comes to my kiddos and just do it. Putting things off isn’t actually helping anything.
How to Keep it Simple with Our Teens
It’s tough to be a parent. The teen years are when kids start becoming more independent and learning how they want to live their lives, but it can also mean some big changes for parents too! Whether you’re having problems with rules or consequences (or both!), here is my best advice: stay consistent in your approach by always following through on what YOU say – not what THEY might do or want.
Know the difference between reasonable expectations vs micromanaging every little detail about them and their choices. Try keeping things simple instead of making things more complicated. Know your boundaries, make sure your kids know them, and stick with them. Once they know you mean what you say they may not like it but they’ll know where you stand.
I’ve already said it but from when our kids are young if we’re consistent and fair when they become tweens and teenagers they will know we’ll follow through.
Practical Parenting Tips: Know When to Walk Away
When your younger children or teens start acting up and breaking the rules, make sure you stick with your limits. But don’t add more consequences on top of what they already know will happen. I’ve found myself getting so angry I keep piling the consequences thinking this will change their behavior. It never works.
Instead what has worked is, making the expectation and good or bad consequences known and walking away. I keep this parenting battle simple by not engaging and arguing. They know what is right and what is wrong and continuing to argue or give more consequences will not cool things down or have them say “Ah-ha mom is right”. When I remove myself from the battle I keep my space and mind more peaceful.
Simplistic Parenting Can Be Harmonious
Simplicity can be a valuable lesson for all of us. It is important to add harmony and calm in your life, so keep it simple! Parenting should also be kept easy-going with no complicated explanations or arguments that lead nowhere; arguing is a waste of your time if it leads nowhere. Establishing the ground rules from when our kids are young will alleviate some of these challenges as they get older. If you’re starting these skills when your kids are older that’s ok too. It may be a power struggle at first but once you pick your battles and mean what you say and stick with it they’ll know you will not compromise your boundaries.
Picking your battles is also valuable because there will always be more challenges coming down the road, especially when you have a large family. Save yourself some trouble with the little things and be firm and fair with the bigger things.
Less Can Be Better
The less you try to do, the better. A lot of parents have this idea in their head that they need a plan for everything and if something goes wrong with it then it’s the end of the world. Yes… in the past I’ve allowed the little things to get me into such a tailspin I thought the world was crashing down around me to later realize in the end it just didn’t matter.
How our kiddos young and old see us handling situations, boundaries, expectations, and even consequences models for them how they will deal with these things. But as long as we keep things simple enough our kids can learn from mistakes without getting too upset or lost along the way will help them to learn balance, simplicity, and live a more calm life.
How to Keep Parenting Simple
Life can be overwhelming; it’s easy to get lost in the maze of parenting. But simplify your strategies, filter out all the things that don’t matter, pick battles you’re confident about winning, and set boundaries that work for everyone–even yourself! When things start looking like they’ll never end (and who hasn’t felt this way?), think KISS: Keep It Simple Sweetie. It will seem overwhelming at first but I promise this is worth every second you save from getting lost inside an endless maze called “Life As A Mom.”
As a mom, I know that parenting is not easy. It takes some serious mental gymnastics to keep up with my 7 kids while working full time, running my household, and being a wife. But you can make it easier for yourself by picking your battles wisely, choosing simplicity over perfectionism, and seeking peace in the chaos of life as a parent. Take care of yourself first so you have the energy to take care of others!
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