The term “sloth parenting” emerged a few years back, likely as part of a trend associating animals with various parenting approaches. While styles like “Tiger Mom” and “Dolphin Dad” have had their moment, sloth parenting has gained significant traction, especially in 2020. The challenges of quarantine life have pushed even the most organized parents into a more relaxed mode. In the chaos of crisis parenting, it’s all about getting by rather than thriving, and sloth parents fully embrace the idea that simply surviving counts as thriving.
Sloth parenting is defined not by what you do, but rather by what you choose to let slide. You follow a philosophy of “least resistance,” which doesn’t equate to neglecting your kids. On the contrary, you prioritize kindness and empathy above everything else. Sloth parents tend to take a long-term view on issues, adopting a carefree attitude about things that won’t matter in a short time frame. If you’ve ever wondered whether you fit this mold, here are 25 signs you might be a sloth parent:
- Your mantra is “good enough.”
- Bedtime? It ranges from 8 p.m. to midnight, with no set routine.
- You don’t review your kids’ homework, but you do take a keen interest in the teacher’s comments.
- Family meals? More like eating whenever you feel like it, often in front of the TV.
- If you’ve ever embraced attachment parenting, it was probably because having your kids near meant less crying. If you didn’t, it’s simply because you needed your own space without the guilt; after all, guilt drains your mental energy.
- Rather than actively engaging in play, you’re more likely to relax on the couch while your kids entertain themselves.
- Pinterest projects? No idea what those are.
- Baking with the kids usually ends in a disaster akin to a Nailed It episode rather than a baking championship.
- The local pizza place has a permanent spot on your speed dial.
- You’ve memorized your credit card number for quick pizza orders without needing to get up.
- You prefer a wildflower-filled yard over a perfectly manicured lawn.
- Family movie nights are more your style than game nights.
- Instead of scheduling activities, you remind your kids that boredom can spark creativity.
- Rather than practicing letters and numbers, you cozy up to watch Sesame Street together.
- Watching movies with closed captions on and the sound off feels like reading.
- Profanity doesn’t faze you, but terms like “stupid” and “shut up” send you into a frenzy.
- You embrace minimalism because it means less clutter.
- You consider yourself a free-range parent for your kids’ independence, but really, it’s just less boring than hovering around, which cuts into your reading time.
- Instead of organizing playdates, your kids are out biking around looking for friends.
- Your parenting role models hail from the ’80s.
- Forget matching outfits; you let your kids dress themselves and consider it a win if they remember underwear.
- Diet staples for your kids include gluten, sugar, and yellow #5.
- Laundry and dirty dishes? They can wait while you enjoy a nap.
- You understand what works for your family and choose to ignore societal pressures that drain your energy.
- You embrace living your own life rather than comparing it to others.
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Summary
Sloth parenting is characterized by a laid-back approach to raising children, focusing on kindness and minimalism while prioritizing survival over perfection. It’s about embracing the chaos and understanding what truly matters in the long run.