Regardless of the ages of your children, balancing parenting duties amidst other obligations can prove challenging. If you aspire to be an attentive mom, these tips on present parenting will facilitate meaningful connections even on your most hectic days.
- 1. Prioritize Self-Care
- 2. Institute Clear Home Guidelines
- 3. Employ Positive Reinforcement
- 4. Recognize That Less Is More
- 5. Pencil In Regular One-on-One Time
- 6. Embrace Living In The Moment
- 7. Listen Intently
- 8. Include Children In Daily Activities
- 9. Learn Your Child’s “Love Languages”
- 10. Focus On The Present
1. Prioritize Self-Care
When determining how to be a present mom, first evaluate if you’re adequately caring for yourself. Instead of solely worrying about showing up for family, reflect on how well you’re showing up for your own needs. Self-care frequently becomes neglected when life gets frenetic, but you can’t properly care for loved ones without first being good to yourself.
Define self-care broadly – at this stage, it may simply mean finding time to eat nutritiously, exercise, sleep sufficiently, and relish your morning coffee solo. Whatever you require, make space for it! Doing so will benefit both you and your family.
2. Institute Clear Home Guidelines
Another useful present parenting approach entails creating reasonable “house rules” outlining expectations for your children paired with logical repercussions for noncompliance. The simpler the rules and the more consistently applied, the easier it’ll be for kids to meet expectations. This fosters a cheerful, constructive home environment for all.
3. Employ Positive Reinforcement
Studies demonstrate positive reinforcement – rewarding desired conduct to increase recurrence – is very effective. This could involve verbal praise or sticker charts. The objective is to concentrate on good behaviors rather than fixating on negative ones to encourage positive interactions.
4. Recognize That Less Is More
Nowadays overscheduling is rampant, leaving people feeling depleted and distracted. To be more present with family, consider paring down extracurriculars – perhaps limiting your child’s after-school activities to one. For weekends, restrict social engagements to a day to enjoy quality time together. And if your commitments have become excessive, reassess priorities.
5. Pencil In Regular One-on-One Time
One of the best parenting tips I ever received was designating daily time exclusively for my child. While constantly together, our interactions lacked connection. Once I blocked off distraction-free time for activities we enjoy, my daughter’s behavior greatly improved. She no longer vied for my attention. Evaluate your one-on-one time investment if power struggles occur frequently. Even 20 minutes of focused communication can foster closeness.
6. Embrace Living In The Moment
Another stellar tip is making it a priority to be wholly present during time spent with your kids. Despite hectic schedules, we gain so much by tuning out distractions and immersing ourselves in the current moment with family. You don’t need to switch off devices indefinitely – just give your undivided attention during those special windows with each child.
7. Listen Intently
Although kids’ conversational topics may not captivate you, demonstrate a genuine interest in what excites them. Maintain eye contact at their level while they speak, ask open-ended questions, and paraphrase to affirm your listening. If busy when approached, honestly convey being too distracted presently but promise a designated time soon to discuss topics fully. Making yourself approachable and eager to listen encourages children to open up.
8. Include Children In Daily Activities
Involving kids in household tasks provides connection opportunities when life feels rushed. Music and conversation flow easily when preparing meals together or folding laundry. Children also gain valuable life skills and lessons.
9. Learn Your Child’s “Love Languages”
The book “The Five Love Languages of Children” examines how kids give and perceive love – invaluable insight enabling you to connect in meaningful ways. Tailor expressions of affection to each child’s unique preferences.
10. Focus On The Present
My final suggestion is to halt fixation on past parenting flubs. Instead heed Emerson’s wisdom: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Commit to being fully immersed and engaged in each new day with your loved ones.
Implementing even a few of these present parenting tips will aid enormously in keeping you attentively attuned as a mom, even with your busiest schedule!