| Parenting in the 21st century is a complex task. You | | | | Instead of trying to plan a 5-course meal for dinner or |
| must find a balance between work, kids, and your own | | | | having the most elaborate birthday party on the block, |
| happiness. While it can be difficult to please everyone, | | | | why not simplify your life and cut out the unnecessary |
| there are a few priceless parenting practices that will | | | | details? Like the child who receives a fancy toy for |
| help you achieve order in your life and maintain a | | | | Christmas and ends up playing with the cardboard box |
| sense of personal fulfillment. | | | | it came in, sometimes life's simplest pleasures are the |
| Remember Your Roots | | | | best ones. By narrowing things down to what really |
| As a parent, it's sometimes easy to forget what it | | | | matters, your life as a parent can be streamlined, |
| was like to be a kid. In a world filled with violence, | | | | effective, and fulfilling at the same time. |
| drugs, and teenage pregnancies, it can be tempting to | | | | Take a Time-Out |
| shelter your child and protect them from danger. | | | | If you have children, then you most certainly know of |
| However, it is important to look at this same world | | | | the infamous time-out technique. Sometimes, though, a |
| through the rosy glasses of a young person, if not to | | | | parental time-out is in order - a breather, so to speak. |
| change your point of view then to at least understand | | | | Parenting can be overwhelming at times, so it's |
| that of your child. Communication is always improved | | | | important to maintain a balance between your duties |
| when both parties can see the reasoning behind one | | | | as Mom or Dad and other activities that help you |
| another's arguments, so empathizing with your child's | | | | maintain your sanity. Take a hot bath, go out to eat, go |
| feelings while staying true to your adult wisdom can | | | | for a walk, or pursue another relaxing activity, just so |
| greatly strengthen your relationship. | | | | long as you know your limits and are able to gauge |
| Weave a Tangled Web | | | | when your tolerance meter is at its breaking point. |
| Everyone knows the importance of networking in the | | | | Even the most involved parents need a rest every so |
| business realm, but maintaining a web of contacts in | | | | often, so don't be afraid to send the kids to a relative's |
| the parenting world is just as important. The road to | | | | or indulge them in an episode of their favorite cartoon |
| parenthood is a well-beaten path, and there are many | | | | when you need time to yourself. An evening of being |
| who have "been there, done that." Whether you're | | | | spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa won't turn children |
| searching for a reliable childcare service or trying to | | | | into little Veruca Salts, and a few minutes of television |
| find out what to do when your 3-year-old sticks a | | | | won't turn their brains to mush. What it will do is give |
| Cheerio into the unreachable depths of her nasal | | | | you a chance to refresh yourself and come back |
| passage, having a support system of family and | | | | prepared to deal with the "gimmes," the "don't wannas," |
| friends who can provide advice truly is priceless. | | | | and the runny noses once again. |
| If you're looking for ways to expand your connectivity | | | | Find the Funny in It |
| beyond your overbearing mother-in-law and your | | | | You're late to work and attempting to get the kids out |
| friends from prenatal yoga, try using one of the | | | | the door in time to catch the school bus. Your |
| Internet's abundant social-networking sites. is one of | | | | daughter needs her hair braided, your son needs his |
| the best and has parenting groups in or nearby most | | | | lunch packed, and all of a sudden, you hear the toilet |
| major cities. As the name suggests, the groups are | | | | flush. On any other day, this would be a normal sound, |
| formed to "meet up" and go on outings together, but if | | | | but today, it has an ominous tone, especially since the |
| you find going out with strangers intimidating or your | | | | last time you saw your toddler, she was playing with |
| schedule is too packed already, the message boards | | | | your car keys. You rush to the bathroom just in time |
| on these groups' sites are also a valuable resource to | | | | to catch a fading glimpse of your keys swirling down |
| have at your fingertips. | | | | the drain. You have two choices. You can get angry, |
| Regardless of whether you take part in high-tech | | | | or you can rustle up your sense of humor and have a |
| networking or prefer to stick to neighbors and relatives, | | | | good laugh. |
| make a conscious effort to interact with people who | | | | When you take life seriously, it's often easy to react |
| share your walk of life. You never know when their | | | | with anger, bitterness, and outrage. But having kids |
| opinions could come in handy. | | | | requires a certain amount of lightheartedness. You'll |
| Be All That You Can Be | | | | find that if you're willing to laugh about them, matters |
| No, you don't have to join the Army to be a successful | | | | that seemed largely important can be taken with a |
| parent (although a few boot-camp sessions may help | | | | grain of salt. After all, if your keys were never flushed |
| with discipline problems). To be all that you can be as a | | | | down the commode, you'd lose out on a great story to |
| parent, you must reach your maximum potential as an | | | | tell at family dinners in ten years! |
| individual. You can accomplish this by making an effort | | | | Many musicians over the years have sung that "life is |
| to be a lifelong learner. Never stop educating yourself, | | | | what you make it." Truer words may never have |
| whether by taking a class at your local library, reading | | | | been spoken. While parenting is one of the most |
| a book, or immersing yourself in cultural activities. When | | | | difficult, albeit valuable, adventures you will ever |
| you learn something new, not only are you enriching | | | | embark on, if you find the time to remember where |
| your own life, but you show your children that | | | | you came from, network, continue your education, |
| self-development is an important value to incorporate | | | | keep it simple, step back and breathe when the going |
| into their lives as well. | | | | gets rough, and, lastly, laugh when you want to cry, |
| K.I.S.S. | | | | you will find that the hardships of parenthood may |
| Keep it simple... you know the rest. A fast way to | | | | become a bit easier to handle. |
| make things difficult is to make them complicated. | | | | |