After nine years of fatherhood and three lively kids, I’ve come to realize that many parenting advice lists out there are full of fluff. It often feels like they were penned by folks who don’t have kids or by parents who are in denial about the chaos of parenting. These idealistic tips can leave you feeling like you’re failing when, in reality, you’re navigating the beautifully messy world of parenthood. So, let’s get real. Here are 21 authentic parenting tips that might just help you survive.
- Stashing candy in the laundry room can keep your kids healthy and your sanity intact.
- Stock up on mac and cheese. Seriously, just buy tons of it. It’s a lifesaver.
- You don’t need to bathe your child every day. A quick wipe-down works wonders. Parents who do daily baths may be a bit too hard on themselves.
- Forget about pants with proper waistbands. After sleepless nights, jeans and belts are just too constricting.
- Use screen time as a bargaining chip. You’d be amazed at how quickly kids will tackle chores or homework for a little extra screen time.
- There’s no law against calling a toddler a little jerk when they’re not looking. Trust me on this one.
- If you stumble upon a mysterious sippy cup, do not open it! Just toss it straight into the trash.
- Sometimes it feels cathartic to give your kids the finger when their backs are turned. Just saying.
- If your child has an accident at night, just change them and toss a towel on the bed. Trust me, washing sheets at 3 a.m. is a special kind of torture.
- Insist they eat a fruit or vegetable before dessert? It makes you feel better about serving mac and cheese later.
- Wet wipes are indispensable. They can clean everything from little bottoms to kitchen counters. Your ultimate multitool.
- After a long day, parents often indulge in ice cream, and if you’re not, you’re probably pouring a drink (or maybe both!).
- Don’t stress about your kid’s appearance. Sometimes, just keeping their pants on is a major win.
- Using a crayon instead of a pen might feel shameful, but it’s far less painful than searching for a pen while wrangling a toddler.
- Hiring a babysitter for a grocery run is worth its weight in gold.
- McDonald’s is the kids’ version of Starbucks—unhealthy and pricey but makes life a little easier.
- One popsicle can keep your toddler entertained for a precious three minutes. Stock up to get chores done!
- Kids will clean their rooms at lightning speed if you dangle McDonald’s, candy, and Lucky Charms marshmallows in front of them. Bribery works.
- Taking kids to the park is a perfect excuse to catch up on your social media feed.
- Life jackets make pool time bearable, but goggles can turn it into a never-ending quest of “Can you fix my goggles?”
- Caffeine. Enough said. 😉
These tips are just the beginning, and if you have any to share, feel free to join the conversation in the comments. After all, it takes a village to raise kids.
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In summary, parenting is a wild ride filled with ups and downs. Embracing the chaos and finding humor in the situation can make all the difference. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey!