five parenting ideas I’m trying this week - vol 01

I’ll say it - parenting is hard. Anyone else feel like parenting is like flying a plane while you’re already in the air? Right now I’m so grateful to be on maternity leave, so I can learn how to raise my toddler.

Here are five simple parenting tips or ideas I’ve learned this week and have trying to implement:

1. The Power of Invisible Hearts

Dr. Becky (Good Inside) suggested the following to ease school drop-offs. Recently our guy started crying after he confidently walked through the door, so I was interested in trying this. Simply draw a little heart on your toddler's hand, telling them it won't wash off. It's a secret reminder of my love that they can carry with them. My little one absolutely loves it.

2. Seeing the World Through Their Eyes

This was an obvious eye opener, thanks to the thoughtful comedian Trevor Noah. Imagine you're engrossed in something you love, and suddenly a giant swoops in, and picks you up and puts you somewhere completely random. You’d be pissed, right? That's often how our toddlers experience transitions. When we need to shift gears – from playtime to getting dressed, or leaving the park – trying to see it from their perspective makes a huge difference in my patience and understanding.

3. Connection Over Compliance (During Transitions)

Building on the "putting yourself in their shoes" idea, when a transition is happening (and after a warning!), and my toddler gets upset, I've been focusing on connection, another gem from Dr. Becky. Instead of just pushing through the resistance, acknowledge their feelings: "I know you want to keep playing with Ms. Potato head, it’s so much fun." While still holding the boundary and continuing with what needs to happen, this acknowledgment helps them feel heard and understood, making the transition smoother.

4. The "Can You Do It?" Confidence Booster

I've been amazed at how capable my toddler is when I simply give him the space to try. My new go-to question is, "Can you do it? Should Mommy do it, or do you want to do it?" Just the other day, I discovered he could put his shirt on over his head and put on his own shoes – all because I gave him the opportunity. It's a reminder to step back and let them build their independence and confidence.

5. The Essential Village

A recent conversation on Trevor Noah's podcast really resonated with me. He spoke about how developed nations often erode community, and then we end up having to "buy the village back." This has fueled my intention to actively build and nurture our village. Whether it's accepting help, offering support to others, or simply fostering connections with friends and family, I'm realizing how vital this network is for the well-being of our entire family. This conversation has really sparked a lot of thoughts about the importance of community in parenting, so expect to see more on this topic in future posts!

Everyone has their own style of parenting, but my intention is to share these from a place of curiosity. I’m writing these down so I remember and to keep myself accountable. What simple parenting tips have you found helpful? Share them in the comments below!