I wish I could be one of those gentle parent bloggers who says something inspirational once or twice a week, even better if I had a Pinterest friendly quote. But I'm not. I'm much worse at blogging than I am at being a gentle parent (and I'm not always great at that).
Being a gentle parent is hard; the truth is being a parent is hard and parenting the way we choose to isn't any harder or easier.
The real difference is priorities, we choose to embrace some backrods and ignore others. All parents have to make tough decisions based on what they know and what they feel is best for their family. Some decisions can always become a rod for their back, it's not just the hippies who have to deal with the consequences of their parenting choices.
We're currently navigating the terrific twos, with all it's ups and downs and that brings me to this nugget. We don't always get it right but I want to remember this when I'm making my choices how to act and react with my son: I want to make memories not regrets.
Being a parent of small children is such a small part of our lives, all things considered, that we want to make it count. We want to make these 18 years (give or take) where we'll be central to his life count. Heck, we'll get less and less central every year.
I don't want to look back and regret treating him like this or regret not doing that. I want to look back and have so many happy memories that I can't pick one out. And I want him to be able to do the same. It's not like he'll really remember this age, but there'll be so many pictures and videos he'll be able to look back and say "I had a cool childhood" - plus if we want it to be right when he can remember, we need to start now and make sure this stuff is routine.
I don't want to look back and regret treating him like this or regret not doing that. I want to look back and have so many happy memories that I can't pick one out. And I want him to be able to do the same. It's not like he'll really remember this age, but there'll be so many pictures and videos he'll be able to look back and say "I had a cool childhood" - plus if we want it to be right when he can remember, we need to start now and make sure this stuff is routine.
And so there it is, I have another mantra to put with my others:
This too shall pass (a quick phrase to help you through the tough times and help you cherish the good times) and People are more important than things.
Oh, and here's a Pinterest friendly quote/image, don't say I never give you anything...
