5 Habits of Happy Parents

Happy New Year and congratulations! Whew.  We just survived perhaps the most stressful time of year with kids.  Let us pause briefly for a moment of Kermit the Frog giving us the great, big, “yaaaaaayyyyy!” we deserve.

Here we are at the launch of a new year.  Beginning fresh can certainly make the soul say, “Yessss.” For those of us here at Smart Kids, we think it’s a great time to check our parenting pulse. How about you? What have you enjoyed as a parent lately?  Let’s plan together to do more of THAT in the New Year.

Here’s a quick checklist to see how you’re doing! We call them 5 Habits of Happy Parents.

Hear Your Kids

Hearing your child is a huge part of communication, and my definition of hearing involves the heart. You know what I mean — not just listening, but looking past the mere words they say into their cherished-yet-complex little souls.  Take time to listen to the meaning.

Spend Quality Time

Is quality time your child’s love language? I’ve got one like that, too, and it’s amazing how simply spending time together can change his attitude from the inside out. So, read books and play games with your little ones. Connect conversationally as they grow older. You’ll both be really glad you did, guaranteed.

Eat Healthier

Healthy eating, yes, involves eating healthy food. (Shocking, I know!) But it’s also about time together at the dinner table. Our Pinterest boards should help make the task less daunting: check out Healthy Recipes for Busy Families and Healthy Snacks for Kids.

Recharge Your Batteries

Taking some time to yourself can lead to an attitude makeover.  And who doesn’t want a makeover, right?  Seriously, being a parent is taxing, so consider this your permission to be your own person, even if only for a few minutes.  Taking a step back to examine your negative emotions and deal with them constructively (even if you get some help figuring out how to do that) is something that will pay off BIG in the long run.

Have Fun

Who’s a fun parent?  You are.  Even if the holiday to-do list has kicked fun to the curb. Nobody puts Baby in a corner, so now’s your chance to reclaim what’s yours!  Laugh. Smile. Hug. Snuggle. Check out our Pinterest humor board. When you enjoy your relationships, both inside and outside the home, somehow The List still gets done. And, BONUS, you get to smile while doing it!

So which one is your favorite?  Pin it and share the love!

Wishing you a successful New Year of parenting… don’t forget that we’re always here to help.  Let us know your parenting questions below in the comments or by contacting us!

About Aubrey Hunt
Before hopping on the crazy ride we call motherhood, I studied engineering and taught math and science to middle and high school students. Now, perhaps like you, I fill my days singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider and praying my preschooler will eat a vegetable — any vegetable!