Parenting Secrets
My parents, my siblings and my great Aunt
Once while at a family reunion my aunt got my siblings and me all together and asked us, “What is your parent’s secret?” She wanted to know how all of us had turned out so well. I thought she should ask my parents. My brother thought we all turned out as well as we did because we grew up in the inner city and were sent outside (to the suburbs) for school.
I don’t think my brother is quite right. I mean, I think that had something to do with it but I don’t think that’s the whole picture. I know numerous people who were raised well but didn’t live in the inner city. So that couldn’t possibly be the ‘secret.’
When I was pregnant with Nora I asked every parent (well, not every parent,… I only asked if I liked their parenting skills) if they had any parenting tips. The main consistent thing I heard is “to say what you mean and mean what you say.” One Mom even told me that you have to follow through with what you said even if you said something you didn’t really mean and don’t want to do it.
As Nora gets older I see why this is easier said than done. Kids are so darn cute sometimes and I’m sure that just like we get to know them –they’ll get to know us and all of our weak spots. Plus, Nora is always going to be my baby even if she isn’t a baby anymore.
I still intend to say what I mean and mean what I say but I think it’s going to be a lot harder to do than I originally thought.
I’ve realized too that it’s a lot easier to take parenting advice when you’re not a parent. Lately when people try to offer suggestions I feel my hackles being raised (well, that is if I had hackles they’d be raised). There is something annoying about other people offering unsolicited advice that typically puts me on the defense. So, if you don’t want to see my mommy claws I suggest you wait until I ask for advice before you give it.
So what parenting tips do you have? What tips have you heard (that you believe?)
Okay, seriously, I’m asking now. So go ahead, comment!
