Parenting Insights
One afternoon, I entered the bathroom to find the toilet lid down—a precaution my youngest had taken to “protect the cats from falling in.” As I lifted the lid, I was startled by a burst of color, initially mistaking it for a spider. To my relief, it was a large, vibrant sticker from a ski resort, transforming my toilet into something reminiscent of a college dorm room.
My eldest daughter soon wandered in, beaming with pride. “Do you love it?” she asked.
In our family, we embrace what I call a “’70s-inspired” childhood for my daughters. They enjoy drawing with chalk on the garage floor, adorning the stair railing with colorful ribbons, and playing in a fort in the backyard filled with items that might otherwise be considered trash. We express our creativity freely, using leftover ribbons from gifts and quirky molds that come with our online orders.
While we maintain some structure to prevent complete chaos—like designated areas for shoes and backpacks, and occasional chores such as matching socks—we are ultimately a work in progress.
This parenting philosophy may not suit everyone, but for us, the ’70s-inspired method has proven effective. Though it can get a bit messy and we might bend rules that others find essential, this approach allows my daughters the freedom to explore and nurture their creativity. My husband and I have learned that sometimes, it’s better to go with the flow.
Here are a few things we choose not to stress over, which other parents might:
- Glitter
It took time for my husband to accept it, but glitter has become our go-to craft staple. It works wonders for settling sibling disputes—“Want to do a project with glitter?” is often met with excited cheers. - Unmade Beds
Life is too short to spend time making beds every day. A well-made bed feels much more rewarding after a week of being left unmade. - Towels on the Floor
Only one of our three daughters seems to have a knack for leaving towels lying around. When I find them, I take it as a reminder to bathe our pets. - Writing on Mirrors
Since no one else uses our upstairs bathroom, I don’t mind the scribbles that appear on the mirror after every shower. I enjoy seeing the “I love you” messages left behind. - LEGO Mess
If there are LEGO sets scattered across every stair, it means my daughters are engaged in creative play. Their attempts to keep them in the corners show they are at least trying to avoid any accidents.
And as for that sticker that startled me, I look forward to sharing the story of how our toilet became a canvas for “The Beast.” Yes, we decided to leave it there.
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In summary, the ’70s-inspired parenting style allows for creativity and flexibility, encouraging children to explore and express themselves while maintaining a semblance of order in the household.