To all of the awesome Moms (and Dads) out there, we know you’ll agree with this statement: parenting is really hard. Just thinking about the idea that you have to raise a human being, who is not only capable of looking after themselves but also has a shot at making a positive difference in this world can be overwhelming.

And if you think it’s just you feeling overwhelmed or maxed out, it’s really not. Even science shows that parenting has become increasingly difficult over the last few years. If you’re a new mom, maybe you’re looking for all sorts of advice on the internet, just to make sure you won’t fail in your important task. Here’s a secret: there’s no way you can fail because everyone does parenting differently. But if you still need some motivation to stay positive, here are 10 things you can do to be an awesome, different parent.

Here Are 10 Things Awesome Moms Do Differently

“It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.” – Erma Bombeck

1. Avoid clichés.

Did you know that there are so many parenting clichés you can find yourself falling into? The more you try to avoid these, the better you’ll be able to do your job as a parent. To translate this into real life, remember it’s not always the mom who’s the “bad cop,” and you don’t need to say “boys will be boys,” just because they misbehave. Essentially, all the things your parents said and you find yourself looking back and thinking it could have been done a bit better. You’re probably right; it could have.

2. Teach kindness.

Ever think that your child might be getting some negative vibes from someone? Counteract it by being the cool, positive, kind mom. Compliment strangers in front of your children, give change when you have it, and lead by example, showing that random acts of kindness brighten up every day. Showing generosity and kindness are some of the most important lessons you can teach as a mom.

3. Stay calm.

Naturally, that’s not always possible. In fact, just having children can be stressful and frustrating, so it will take practice. But the more you have to put on a brave face, the better you’ll become at it. Having a cool, collected mom leads to cool, collected kids, which is an asset as you get older.

4. Go on vacations.

Maybe you think that in the early years after you’ve had your baby, vacations should be at the bottom of the list. On the contrary, the earlier you start with holidays, the better, as vacations have a long-lasting effect on children’s positive thinking. Besides, it gives you a good reason to get out of the house and try something different and new, which is always exciting and brings the whole family together.

5. Get a pet.

Perhaps the nightmare of any new mom is having to deal with a toddler and pet hair at home. However, scientific research keeps coming out to show that pets have a very beneficial effect on children’s development. For starters, taking care of a pet teaches responsibility, caring, and love. Do yourself a favor. Even if you end up being the one taking the dog out for walks, you won’t regret it.

6. Take more pictures.

There are all sorts of superstitions out there that scare moms out of taking photos of their kids. Don’t listen to them. Take as many photos as you can, because one day you’ll find yourself missing those times and wishing you had something to help you reminisce. Don’t just go for boring photoshoots. Take candid photos of your everyday life, because those are the most precious moments that you’ll end up missing most.

7. Don’t use the word “impossible.”

If there’s one word all moms should eliminate from their dictionary, it’s “impossible.” Teaching kids that something is impossible is essentially telling them they can’t follow their dreams. Don’t do that – they’ll figure out what’s possible and what’s not later in life. Society, history, and peers will give them enough of those negative vibes throughout life. For now, nurture your child’s dreams. Your faith in them will give them the courage to believe they can be anything.

8. Teach your kids to say sorry.

There are a lot of things children do that hurt you, no matter what age they are. The number one skill that’s taught by example is forgiveness. Show your children that it’s okay to give second chances, as long as they’re deserved. Teach them the importance of genuinely saying the words, “I’m sorry.” This will not only teach your children to forgive others, but it will also mean they’ll be better at apologizing as a result, too.

mom quote

9. Teach them to love themselves

Nowadays more and more children struggle with the reality of negative body image and all the heavy baggage that comes with it. A lot of times, this starts with moms. From the beginning, help your children develop a positive relationship with their own body, with food, exercise, and all the other things needed to keep body and mind healthy. Your encouragement of self-respect will give them confidence without arrogance. Your deep love for them will assure them they don’t need to be scared of loving themselves.

10. Remind yourself it’ll all be okay.

You might sometimes feel like you’ve irrevocably failed in your parenting. You might think that there’s no hope because of something you said or did when you just weren’t thinking, or you were facing extreme pressure. Nevertheless, keep telling yourself that it will all be fine. Find and talk to other moms in similar situations. Companionship will help you with the difficulties of parenthood, because you should never feel you are going it alone. Finally, your positive reminders to yourself and your family will teach your children that no matter what adversities they come across, they’ll be able to overcome them, just like you will.

Final thoughts

Being a mom is a symbiotic relationship. In other words, you have to learn to be awesome at looking after two people – your child and yourself. But it’s all about the little things that you do that make all the difference in how your child will see the world and other people in it. So, make sure to follow these tips to ensure a happier life for the both of you and perhaps save yourself some regret along the way!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o_jckqLfSY

References:
https://www.romper.com/p/10-things-feminist-moms-do-differently-than-any-other-parents-644
https://www.parents.com/health/parents-news-now/family-vacations-have-long-lasting-impact-on-kids-happiness/
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/01/21-things-id-do-differently-a-mothers-look-back-kathryn-rutz/
https://thoughtcatalog.com/shani-jayawardena/2017/06/10-things-mothers-who-raise-strong-daughters-do-differently/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-gail-gross/the-benefits-of-children-growing-up-with-pets_b_7013398.html

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