10 Parenting Choices I Would Rethink

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As my neighborhood evolves, I find myself surrounded by enthusiastic new parents navigating the joys of childhood. Their little ones, dressed in the latest trends, often seem like they could use a bit of guidance—whether they ask for it or not. With my own kids now in elementary and middle school, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on my parenting journey, filled with both triumphs and, let’s be honest, many blunders. Here are ten things I would do differently if I had the chance to start over.

1. No Hamsters, Please.
   The pressure of caring for two hamsters was overwhelming. I spent countless hours cleaning their cage instead of my own house, and despite all that effort, they still didn’t make it. If I can’t manage a 4-ounce creature, how could I possibly handle raising humans? It’s ironic that while we were nursing little Nibbles back to health, we had mouse traps in the garage. Talk about a mixed message.
2. Skip Over-Scheduling the Doll.
   I appreciate the charm of American Girl dolls, but my daughter’s doll had extravagant tastes and a tendency to bail on activities. She tried everything from snowboarding to violin, but never followed through. I can only imagine the therapy bills if I told her the truth about her doll’s lack of commitment.
3. Adopt a British Accent.
   Imagine the tranquility in our home if we all spoke with a British accent! “Mummy, I missed the loo” sounds far better than “I peed on the floor again.” A little civility goes a long way, and who wouldn’t prefer “crusty dragon” over “booger”? Life would be so much more delightful.
4. Avoid Disneyworld with Toddlers.
   Taking a 3- and 5-year-old to an amusement park was akin to entering a frantic race. We rushed from ride to ride, dragging along endless supplies, only to be left exhausted and dehydrated. Instead of a grand adventure, we ended up with a brief spin on Dumbo—definitely not worth it.
5. Ditch the Baby Einstein Videos.
   Yes, my toddlers could name every barnyard animal and identify colors in record time, but how useful are those skills now? I wish I had steered clear of the Baby Einstein video craze. I want a refund for all those hours spent glued to the screen.
6. Hold Off on Sports Until Age 6.
   Enrolling our son in soccer at age 3 was a mistake. By 5, he was ready to retire from the sport. Now he wishes he had stayed in longer, despite not enjoying it back then. Let’s face it, kids have plenty of time to freeze on the sidelines when they’re older.
7. Lie About Kids’ Menu Choices.
   My kids might not be such picky eaters if I had told them the kids’ menu featured gourmet dishes instead of pizza and chicken nuggets. A little creativity would have gone a long way in expanding their palates.
8. Skip the Expensive Classes.
   I spent a fortune on music and gym classes for my 2-year-old. Sure, they could jump into a ball pit and bang a xylophone, but did we really need organized classes for that? My toddler still can’t plank properly after all those gym sessions. What was the point?
9. Invest in One Large LEGO Set.
   When my son fell in love with LEGOs, I couldn’t resist buying more. But soon he became attached to one elaborate set and refused to play with it for fear of breaking it. I should have just wrapped the same large set for every occasion instead of falling for the marketing trap.
10. No Lavish Parties for Little Ones.
    I threw our son a grand Spider-Man birthday bash when he was 2, only to realize later he couldn’t even remember it. Kids attend so many parties that they all blend together. A few strategic photos at other kids’ celebrations could have sufficed.

So there you have it—ten lessons from my parenting adventures. Feel free to learn from my missteps. And remember, don’t be that parent who says, “It goes by so fast.” Instead, let’s focus on the moments we can truly cherish.

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In summary, parenting is a journey filled with learning opportunities. By reflecting on our choices, we can make better decisions for our children’s future.