Parenting is tough. We’re all doing our best, but let’s be honest—we all make plenty of mistakes along the way. As a parent who has made her fair share of parenting fails, I’ve learned that it’s important to take a step back and laugh at yourself and move on (I do a lot of laughing…). Here are a few tips that help me find the funny side of my parental fails:
Be self aware. The key is being self-aware and understanding you’ll make mistakes. So, there’s no need to give yourself a hard time over minor hiccups. Perfection is not a realistic expectation, so instead of dwelling on what’s already done, find opportunities to make a positive change. That way, you’ll enjoy the funny moments of parenting – and the precious memories that come with it.
Find the humour. Sometimes parenting mistakes happen–it’s inevitable! So when they do, try to see the funny side of it. Put a more positive spin on the situation by having a good laugh with your child about what happened. This will not only help both of you to shake off the momentary faux pas, but you might actually end up bonding over the shared experience.
Practice acceptance. When life throws a curveball, don’t be hard on yourself! Keep in mind it’s all part of the parenting journey and sometimes the best way out of sticky situations is to laugh them off, learn from them, and move on. Acceptance plays a huge part in parenting, so even when things don’t go your way, don’t be too concerned about other people’s judgement.
By Eva Larsson
Practice empathy. It can certainly be frustrating when your child doesn’t seem to be listening, even after you’ve given them a couple warnings. But before you get too frustrated, take a breather and try to see things from their perspective. Acknowledge how they’re feeling and take the time to show them that you understand. Showing empathy and understanding for their feelings will help diffuse the situation and build trust.
Express your gratitude. It’s easy to get caught up in focusing on the things that didn’t go right, but it’s just as important to take a step back and be grateful for all that’s going well. A positive attitude and a bit of thankfulness can do wonders for our perspective – sometimes just acknowledging how lucky we are helps us to better appreciate the little things. When something not-so-great happens, I like to remind myself that ‘there is always worse!’ – this way, I’m able to focus on the silver lining.
At the end of the day, parenting is a challenge, and it’s ok to not have it all figured out! None of us have! We all make mistakes, but by having a good laugh, and trying to stay positive, we can work through them together. Your child will appreciate the fact that you are not perfect, and you’ll keep your cool and make the journey a whole lot smoother.