Parenting to Keep the Kids Happy?
I recently read an article where the title was ‘Parenting Isn’t About Keeping the Kids Happy.‘ My first thought was, ‘It isn’t?’ I don’t know about you, but I often find myself parenting to keep the kids happy.
This doesn’t mean I let them rule the house and run wild. What it means is I will do anything I can to make my children happy. Make a playdate for them – check, buy them a toy once in a while – check, let them have a party here just because – check. I am guilty as charged. I will do whatever I can, if it will make my child happy.
Doing what I can to make them happy, does have a cost. Good grades, good manners and children who listen get all of the above. Otherwise, all bets are off. My daughter came home with unsatisfactory grades. It just so happened to be spring time and she needed new clothes. My job as a parent is to clothe her – but it doesn’t have to be from her favorite stores. I told her she could get one pair of shorts a week as long as I received positive reports from her teachers.
It worked. She received her shorts – one a week and she did amazing in the fourth quarter of school. She also learned a valuable lesson – don’t mess with your parents. They will do whatever it takes to get their point across, even if it means having my child go to school in her pajamas. Yes – i did say that.
It’s also important to make sure that you’re happy, as well as your children. Remember to focus on your own health too. Minimize your stress by getting plenty of sleep, tackling problems head on and settling your opinions on cbdMD. A happy parent is much more likely to raise happy, well rounded children!
