AD| Parenting Challenges You Can Probably Identify With
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Parenting can be described in many ways. Words such as exciting, rewarding, and humbling, are just some of the adjectives that may come to your mind when thinking about your role as a parent. Another word is challenging, because as wonderful as parenting can be, there are some situations that we can probably all identify with. These are the moments when we realise how demanding parenting can be, and while we can overcome the obstacles in our way, we can still expect a few battles in the process.
Here are just some of the parenting challenges you can probably identify with.
#1: Supermarket meltdowns
Ah, the joys of the supermarket. Not only do you have to contend with the mass of shoppers seemingly intent on getting in your way, but you also have to deal with the potential risk of your child’s meltdown too. Should you fail to give in to their wants and demands when passing through the toy/sweet/comic book aisles, you might have to deal with a temper tantrum. And should your child get tired during your supermarket trip, they might refuse to walk any further until you pick them up or make a quick exit back to your car. Those cries of ‘I want one,’ ‘I want to go home,’ and ‘you’re just so mean’ are common to many of us, and we can probably all identify with the stares of those supermarket shoppers who simply don’t understand what we are going through.
Are you relating to this challenge? Here are some quick tips.
- Shop online. This way, you will have less need to make those frequent supermarket trips. Alternatively, do your shopping when your kids are at school or on a play date.
- Treat your child to one thing if they behave well. This way, you might navigate a potential meltdown, as they should be satisfied they have gotten something out of the supermarket trip.
- Make a list. This way, you will know what you want, and you won’t have to drag your tired child around any unnecessary aisles.
- Teach your child the value of money. Include lessons on where money comes from (i.e. not the proverbial money tree), and saving up, so they can start to use the money they have earned to purchase the things they desire. For some excellent advice, this article on 7 fantastic ways to teach your kids the value of money will guide you further.
#2: Bedtime battles
After a long day, there is nothing better than putting your feet up, settling down with a cup of tea or a sneaky glass of wine, and having free reign over your TV, without having to watch Peppa Pig or Ryan’s Toy Reviews for the umpteenth time. Of course, as parents, we don’t always have that luxury. Getting our kids to go to bed can be difficult for a start, and getting them to stay there is another battle many of us can identify with. ‘I’m not tired,’ ‘I can’t sleep,’ and ‘I need a drink,’ are just some of the things we hear our children say when we’re trying to cosy down with Netflix.
Have you faced bedtime battles in your home? Here are some tips that might be useful to you.
- Get your child into a bedtime routine. By going through the same motions each night, such as half an hour of play, a healthy drink and snack, and reading time with you when they’re cuddled up in bed, your child should eventually get into better habits of a night time. Check out our article on the importance of bedtime routines, and follow our tips within for your home.
- Encourage sleep. You can do this by playing an active game with your child before going to bed, as you might then tire them out. Certain snacks can cause your child to become sleepy too, so forgo anything sugary, and consider these bedtime snacks half an hour or so before it’s time for your child to get into bed. And as part of your bedtime routine, read or sing to your child when they are safely under their duvets, as they might then start to feel sleepy if your words can soothe them.
- Sort out your child’s bedroom. With a redesign, you can do much to encourage your children into sleep of a night time. Check out these bedroom design tips for some useful ideas, and make the necessary changes if the current design isn’t conducive to a good night’s sleep.
#3: Food fights
Not literally; we aren’t talking about sandwiches and biscuits flying across your dining room! Rather, we are referring to the verbal fights you might have with your child when trying to get them into healthier eating habits. Chocolates, crisps, and sugary cakes are often far more attractive to our children than fruit, veggies, and any other foods containing nutritional value. Trying to convince our children to eat healthily is not so easy when they refuse to eat what is good for them.
Are you relating to this point? Here are some tips to help you.
- Involve your child in the kitchen. If they are of an age to lend you a hand, set up a safe area, and let them help you with the meal prep. If they have played a part in making lunches and evening meals, your child might be happier to eat the foods on their plate, including those pesky veggies.
- Remove temptation. If there are no chocolate bars, bags of crisps, and other food items of low nutritional value in the house, your child will be less tempted to munch on them. Of course, you shouldn’t ban your child from such goodies forevermore – treat days are acceptable – but by replacing them with kid-friendly junk food alternatives, your child will be encouraged into better eating habits.
- Be a good role model. If you want your child to eat better, that means you need to as well. So, don’t be tempted to munch on a bar of chocolate when giving your child an apple to eat, and don’t empty your veggies into the bin. Set a good example, and your child will be more likely to develop good eating habits.
- Teach your child. Don’t just tell your child that certain foods are good for them. Explain why, and let them know why healthy eating is important. Check out these fun ways to teach your child about healthy food choices, and they might be more inclined to follow better habits.
Finally
It’s great fun being a parent, but the challenges we discussed can sabotage our happiness levels on occasion. Still, if you have identified with any of them, follow the tips we gave you. And if you have any other words of wisdom about these or any other challenges, do us all a favour, and please share your good ideas with us.
Thanks for reading, and happy parenting!
