I must admit, this parenting journey has me feeling like I’m betraying the type of mom I thought I’d be. It’s a funny feeling, especially considering I’ve already let my nine-year-old son wear shorts to school in the dead of winter and allowed my twelve-year-old daughter to binge-watch One Tree Hill on Netflix. Oh, and if you’re wondering, the only vegetable that graces our dinner table regularly is edamame—when we order sushi, of course. (#suckstosuck)
Interestingly enough, before I had kids, I was the ultimate “perfect” parent. My children didn’t watch TV, never dined at fast food joints, and never misbehaved in the fancy restaurants we frequented. They even listened to NPR in the car and enjoyed it—imagine that!
So when I heard Mia Kunis share on a talk show her plan for weekly date nights with Ashton—where the topic of their newborn daughter is strictly off-limits—I couldn’t help but chuckle. Because you know what? We had a similar rule at the start.
Becoming a new parent is incredibly rewarding, but let’s be real—it can be tough. A little compromise (and a lot of Disney Channel) can help maintain your sanity. Here are five more parenting rules you might want to think about bending:
1) I will never use the TV as a babysitter.
Sounds like a noble idea. That is, until you need to use the bathroom or enjoy a quick shower. Good news! It turns out that Dora the Explorer makes a fantastic babysitter. She’s adventurous, clever, and for the low price of free, she’s way cheaper than the neighborhood teen. Bonus if your kid picks up some Spanish along the way!
2) I will never curse in front of my kids.
Back when my daughter was just six, my husband got cut off while driving her to a birthday party. He shouted, “Duuuude!” and then from the backseat came a tiny voice, “Effing people!” (And yes, she didn’t say “effing.”) I know what you’re thinking—I’m a terrible parent. But let’s be honest; if you talk openly with your kids about so-called “bad” words and create a safe space for them to use those words (like in the car), they’ll likely lose their allure. You heard me right.
3) I will never let my kids use electronics in restaurants.
Oh, I used to judge parents who allowed this! But then, I found myself in their shoes. Sometimes, you just want to enjoy a glass of chardonnay and some tuna tartare in peace, and if that means handing your kid a tablet, so be it!
4) No eating outside the kitchen.
Mornings in my house are a whirlwind of chaos—face washing, teeth brushing, and the ever-elusive matching of socks. If I can slide a paper plate of microwaved pancakes in front of my kid while she scrolls through Instagram in the family room, and still manage to enjoy a warm cup of coffee alone in the kitchen, that’s a win-win for me.
5) No dessert without dinner.
Research shows that forcing kids to finish their veggies to earn dessert can make them despise vegetables. I’m not just any mom—I’m a cool mom. And sometimes, that’s perfectly okay.
This article originally appeared on March 25, 2015. If you’re looking for more parenting insights, check out our post on home insemination at Intracervical Insemination. For those considering at-home insemination, Make A Mom is a great authority to explore. And for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Mount Sinai.
In summary, parenting is all about flexibility and finding what works for you and your family, even if it means bending a few rules along the way.