I’m very excited to be kicking off my Real Mom Series. What I like most about reading blogs are seeing what other people do in their homes. I like being inspired by real people who are just juggling it all just like me, not some fake unattainable goal in a movie. So I decided to start a series where you will be hearing from real moms about what they do everyday to make it happen.
The first person I thought of to do this post is my one of my close friends who I’ve known since college. She is a stay at home mom of 6! That alone deserves a medal but she is also super smart (as in she has a PhD) and she is a devout Catholic. Her children are so well mannered and sweet, so I was very excited about her topic The Top Ten Rules for Raising Kids. Enjoy!
When I first decided to marry my college sweetheart, we knew from the beginning that we wanted children. To our surprise, we have currently been blessed with 6, the oldest being 8…no twins …yes… I’ve heard it all…from, “Don’t you know what causes that?”, to “You and your husband need a new hobby!”. Though people always feel the need to state their opinion, I must say that the most common question I have heard over the last 8 years is, “How do you do it?!” Everyone has their own parenting style. However, here are my top 10 go-to’s for raising children in this day and age.
1) Pray… a lot!!!
A little grace goes a long way.
2) Always mean what you say
and never make empty threats.
3) Throw the old adage “do as I say, not as I do” out of the window.
Be the example of what you want your children to be.
4) Limit Technology
I know in this culture of technology, this will sound like I’ve lost my mind and am not in touch with reality..but limit it. Set guidelines for your children in terms of how long to play video games, watch TV or serf the web. Any access to the internet should ALWAYS be in the main or high traffic area of the house. TV and a computer in a child’s room is a bad idea. It eats away at your child’s imagination, should not be used as a babysitter, usually isn’t monitored by the parent, and disengages them from the family, which aids in creating their own little world. And cell phones… Not until they are absolutely necessary. At night…have the child turn in their cell phone at a reasonable time. Though you may think you have a little angel, nothing good comes out of being on the phone or on the internet in the late hours of the night….not to mention your child’s sleep deprivation!
5) Communicate, communicate…oh…did I mention that communication is integral?
No matter what the age, always keep the lines of communication open…this includes the most important part of communicating with your child, which is LISTENING. Most children do not feel heard, and this is made very evident in our culture today.
6) Have rules and be CONSISTENT in reinforcing them.
A child should be able to predict their consequences with 100% accuracy.
7) Keep your cool!
Yelling not only aggravates the situation and gets your blood pressure to rise, but it doesn’t leave room for your child to truly understand why what they are doing or what they said was wrong. The reason is,bthat when you raise your voice, they are too busy trying not to be embarrassed (especially if they’re ridiculed in public or with others around)…therefore they lose the message.
8) Make sure that you and Hubby are on the same page
..with the family rules and disciplinary measures. This idea of parenting 50/50 just doesn’t work. Each parent needs to put 100% of their efforts into raising the children. Dads, we love you to death…but please…put down the remote control, be aware of your surroundings, and see where you can be of service.
9) Work on your Marriage
One of the best things you can do to raise secure, confident, and virtuous children, is to have a good marriage! Men, court and date your wife. Women, greet your husband at the door when you see each other after work…and make sure you look presentable. This is sometimes challenging for those of us who are stay at home moms who clean up after babies and toddlers all day long… but keep in mind…whatever you did to catch him, you need to do to keep him interested!
10) Be Honest
Be honest with your children about everything, then expand on those truths as they mature and get older. Realize that if they grow up and come to find out that what Mommy and Daddy told them really wasn’t true, they will begin to question you, and wonder what else you lied about…don’t lose credibility with your children.
Anonymous WriterAren’t those some great tips! Do you guys have anything to add to that list? Let me know of any other topics you would like to see in our Real Moms Series. Any Real Moms out there who would like to share your tips and guest post shoot me an email bajantexan@gmail.com
Topics in Real Mom Series
Top 10 Rules for Raising Kids
5 Rules for Being a Great Step Mom
