However, there are
certain universal principles that I do believe are key to rearing productive and happy children in today’s world. I gleaned these parenting tips from my
own parents and good mothers and fathers I’ve observed. I share
them here in the hope that others will adopt and adapt them and pass them on.
My motherhood philosophy changes yearly, weekly and daily as
my parenting journey evolves and matures. In other words, I'm still developing my strategies just like everyone else!
But today, as the mother of ten busy and good children, ages one through nineteen, I
share the top ten parenting principles that have shaped my motherhood. I hope you find these helpful!
10. Routine Structure and schedules are the only answer to smoothly
managing the lives of twelve people. When children know what time we are waking
up, going to bed, leaving for school, what jobs they are expected to complete
in the morning, where they sit at the dinner table, where their shoes belong
and other routines it adds ease to our crazy life. I believe
that organization is good for children. It teaches them boundaries and respect
for regulation. And, it makes my life simpler. Knowing that we are doing
laundry on Monday, cleaning bedrooms on Saturday, practicing the piano in the
morning, and who washes the dinner dishes each evening means I don’t have to
reinvent the wheel every day. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Thinking ahead, having a plan, and then sticking to it is the only way I stay
sane!
9. Family Mealtimes The family that eats together stays
together—I firmly believe that adage! Last week a visitor at our door was
surprised to see 11 of us sitting down to dinner in our dining room. “Do you
eat together every night?” she asked, amazed. Yes, we do. Granted, some
evenings my husband is gone for a meeting, or my high school son has a track
meet, or my daughter is working at her job, but the rest of us still sit and
eat—together. I love those times! Not only is family mealtime helpful for
creating healthful habits and manners in children, but in addition we all share
and talk about our day and the world waits while we recharge together. It’s a
great time for our teens, tweens and toddlers to connect despite their
different stages of life. In fact, to me, mealtime is the best of times—a
golden moment when I feel a small surge of success.
