10 Parenting Tips
To Inspire

Need some inspiration? Below you will find the best 10 parenting tips that have helped me over the past few years.

Parenting is one of the most challenging, and yet rewarding, jobs you will ever have. There are days when I look at my children and wonder how I got so lucky to be their mother. Then there are days when I'd like to see if the zoo is accepting donations... :)

I hope you will find these 10 parenting tips inspiring for those days when the going gets tough.

#1 - Have Perspective

I'll let one of my favorite songs right now explain one of the best 10 parenting tips I have. (You might want to make sure you have a tissue nearby…)

“It Won’t Be Like This For Long” by Darius Rucker:

#2 - Consistency Is Key

Children thrive on consistency: in their daily schedules, in their discipline, and even in their food choices!

The more you can keep things regular and routine, the happier your children will be. When they know what to expect, they live with a sense of peace. If there is a change in your routine, try to tell your children about it ahead of time so they can prepare.

This applies especially to behavior expectations and discipline. Children should know precisely what they are allowed and not allowed to do. They should also know what will happen when they do not follow the rules.

#3 - Forgive Yourself

This tip may not seem like it belongs on a list of the best 10 parenting tips, but it can affect your relationship with your child. You may be stressed out after a bad day and overreact to a little misbehavior your child does. Or perhaps you forgot to show up somewhere you were supposed to. Or maybe you broke a promise to your child. Even though we try our best, everyone makes mistakes.

Whatever your error, you probably feel bad, but it’s important to learn to forgive yourself. A good first step is to make sure you apologize to the person you hurt. Even children understand mistakes and are typically quick to forgive.

Evaluate your mistake and try to learn from it. Are there steps you can take to make sure it doesn’t happen again? Would keeping a daily planner help you to not forget appointments? Would taking a few minutes after a stressful day to do something soothing help you to be a better parent? Make a point of creating a learning opportunity out of every slip-up and it will become easier to forgive yourself.

#4 - Set Up a Regular "Date"

You might have heard how important it is for you and your partner to schedule a regular “date night,” but how about doing the same for your child?

To a child, the best thing you can give them is your undivided attention. What could be better, then, than to spend a whole morning, afternoon, or evening with just you?

Think of what your child is most interested in. Here are some idea-sparkers:

• Does she like to do crafts? How about a morning at a “paint your own pottery” store?
• Does he like sports? Go to a game together, just the two of you.
• Is there a movie coming out that your child is super excited about? Take him or her alone and they’ll feel really special.
• What about going out to a restaurant together? It doesn’t even have to be fancy, although that would be extra fun. You could both dress up – getting ready together would be half the fun!
• My kids even like doing errands with just one of us. Trips to Home Depot or the grocery store become extraordinary when they are spending time with just you.
• If in doubt - ask your child! I’m sure they would be more than happy to tell you what they would love to do with you.

#5 - Praise Your Child

Out of all the 10 parenting tips, this one may seem the most obvious, but you’d be surprised how many parents overlook this simple advice. Your children need and will seek your approval for all areas of their life.

Make sure they know how proud you are of them when they learn something new or are behaving nicely (even if it seems insignificant to you, it’s probably a huge deal for them).

Tell them what you think their best traits are. This will help develop their self-esteem and draw you closer together. Never overlook the importance of praising your child!

#6 - Ask For Help

No one can do it all, all the time. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help!

I haven’t always been the best at this. I felt like I had to be “Super Mom” all the time. I ended up being burned out and not much fun to be around at all.

Finally, I started asking my friends and family to help with some things occasionally and to my surprise, they were more than happy to help!

We exchange babysitting with friends of ours so that we can each have a night out with our spouses. It may seem like a simple idea, but it’s one that has benefitted us both.

So who can you ask for help?

Family & Friends – can help with childcare
Co-workers - can help with work-related issues
Neighbors – can help with household duties
Clergy member or counselor – can help with spiritual or emotional issues
Family doctor – can help with medical issues or even parenting advice

#7 - Be Silly

No, I’m not saying buy a rainbow wig and a big red nose (unless you really want to – then more power to you!). But as adults, we have a tendency to be too serious, too often.

I’m not trying to negate the serious issues that we all have to deal with. They are a part of life and we can’t escape them.

However, when was the last time you and your child did something so silly that you both ended up in fits of giggles? It’s those moments that can make a huge impact in your relationship with your child.

The great thing about this tip is you don’t have to schedule a special time to do it. Just open yourself up and remember what it was like to be a kid.

Put bowls on your heads and pretend to be astronauts. Have a tickle fight. Show off your crazy dance skills. Let go and have fun!

#8 - Make Time For Yourself

This is one of the 10 parenting tips I struggled with most at first. I thought it was selfish of me to want to do things that didn’t include my family.

Even though I love my children more than anything, I learned that I needed to have occasional breaks from them, even if it’s just for a couple of hours.

One way that I make time for myself is by making sure I take time each week to exercise. Not only am I setting a healthy example for my children, but I am also relieving stress and feeling better physically. I am a better mom now that I take that time.

Find ways to do things that make you happy and it will benefit your whole family.

#9 - Dine Together

Recent studies have shown that children who grow up in families that eat meals together are:

• Less likely to become overweight
• Less likely to have eating disorders
• More likely to do well in school
• Less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, or smoke
• and more likely to have better peer relationships

It seems there is a constant flow of research that shows the many advantages for children to eat with their families. With all the evidence, make it a priority to eat together as often as your schedule allows.

This may mean children eat a bit later on some nights, or maybe the meal together is breakfast on some days. Whatever you can do will make a difference to your child.

#10 - Show Your Love Every Day

I think the single most important thing you can do as a parent is to show your child every day how much you love them.

This may come in the form of saying the words “I love you,” a hug, a kiss, a pat on the back, a little note tucked in their lunchbox, spending quality time with them, or just a smile for them.

However you choose to express it, make sure your child just how much they mean to you!

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