3. Find Clarity.
Decide the kind of parent you want to be. What kind of relationship do you want to have with your child/children in six weeks? Next year? Five years from now?
Choose three words to describe your ideal parenting. Now for a PHONE HACK: set a reminder on your phone to remind you of those three words every time you arrive home. You could also set the reminder for any time you get out of your car. I do this and it’s annoying but effective.
4. Gather Around.
At the end of the day, gather your family around for a quick and casual end to the day. We pray for our loved ones and for people who need our help. You don’t need to pray — you can simply talk about what is going on tomorrow and people who might need extra love (especially in your own family). Keep it short, keep it fun and hug everyone at the end (your kids need hugs whether they think they do or not). If you’re not laughing, you’re taking it way too seriously.
5. Big Kids Need Tucking in, Too.
Take the time to say goodnight to each child. Some kids crave a longer routine and others just need a simple good night. But don’t skip it. The best conversations of the day often come at bedtime.
BONUS — pick up your teen’s favorite treat on the way home from work. Choose something small that you don’t usually indulge in. For my daughter it’s a Bai Coconut drink, my sons love peanut butter cups.
Let’s go! Take action on everything on this list and you’ll see results in one day and pure magic in a week.
If you’ve read this far, you’re a caring conscientious parent and you truly love your kids. Your kids love you too (even if they don’t act like it!) and they need you more than ever. You’ve got this. I believe in you.
P.S. you’re definitely not stupid
P.P.S. you should probably pick up a treat for yourself too. Or at least some gold stars to stick on your forehead.
