Just like fashion and automobiles, there are trends in parenting styles and goals. Though we are all individuals, we parents love our children and want to give them the absolute best that we can. As our knowledge grows, as scientific breakthroughs occur, forward thinking parents assimmilate the knowledge they view as helpful into their parenting.
So what does 2011 promise in the way of increased knowledge and breakthroughs in parenting? This ARTICLE talks about all the incredible changes occurring right now in what we know, what we view as important, and what we want to instill in and accomplish with and for our children. Issues from vaccinations to accountability, psychological development to learning styles...all these factors make up the most important and complicated job in the world; parenting.
What's most important to you? What challenges have you faced this last year in parenting your infant, toddler, preschooler, grade schooler or teen? I invite you to share your challenges and solutions!
My biggest parenting challenge for this last year was starting the Nursing Program which is full time while working 3/4 time also on top of being a single mom. Trying to manage my time between all the different things that I must do. What is most important to me overall is my daughter, making sure that she is happy, feels loved, and well balanced. She is 4 so she is still too young to understand that I can't play with her all the time just because I don't want to, but because I have to do my studies. This year, I am planning to make a better daily routine that allows her guaranteed mommy/daughter time where I am devoted completely to her and have her in bed every night at a certain time where I can get my studying and homework done. It's hard right now, but this will be much more special for both myself and my daughter when I graduate.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenge of 2010 was learning how to become a parent of 2 children instead of one which I was only a parent to my son for the last 11 years. My goal for 2011 is to become closer with my oldest son and make sure that I reserve quality time for each of them often.
ReplyDeleteLast year I began to realize that my toddler needed a schedule. I work at home, and it is just him and I, so we have never had much need for schedules and routines. We just did what we did. My son started preschool in September and not having those routines proved to make things more difficult. Starting in December, I changed my work hours around and really started to have a need for a schedule. This year, I am making a bigger effort to have better schedules, i.e. nap time, bed time, meals, etc. I have written down what I would like to see as our schedule for the day and got my son the Tot Clock to help him transition into his routine. Neither of us are very good at it so far, but we are making improvements, so we'll see how it goes ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that article. I thought it was really insightful and actually made me feel better about one controversial subject that I haven't always been sure I was making the right decision about - vaccinations. I have friends and even a sister who chose not to vaccinate their child. I have chosen to keep current with them on both my sons and this article kind of solidified in my mind that I was making the right choice.
ReplyDeleteAs far as parenting challenges over the past year and this year, I have two boys that were born a year and a day apart - they will be two (Levi) and one (Wyatt) next month. My youngest had medical issues and was in and out of the hospital for the first month and a half. He's doing great now but when life finally settled down from that, I faced the huge challenge of balancing my time and energy with two kids under two.
I think I have found a pretty good balance, but am still learning. One friend gave me the advice to raise them like twins. So I have in many ways. Same feeding times, nap times, diaper changing, baths, bed time, even down to clipping their nails on the same day. I am looking forward to this coming year. I know it'll be crazy with a little guy who is heading into his terrible twos and getting my feet wet with the all too important, but not always easy d-word, "discipline." I have great friends, and family, that I ask questions and get support from which is a huge help. And as this mile long entry comes to a close, I'd also like to say that I'm learning to make myself a priority as well. I have a hard time because my kids are so important to me, but I find if I have a couple hours a week for some just "me" time I am a better, refreshed mommy overall. =)