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Check out the May 2012 issue: raw stories, shocking confessions, candid advice about motherhood—and more!
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Parenting Tip: Pick Your Battles Wisely
September 6th, 2011
I firmly believe in a battle-picking approach to parenting. It should come as no surprise to anyone—parents and non-parents—that having children can be challenging at times. Many children are built strong-willed and have opinions about pretty much every single thing in their lives. They want to eat cupcakes for dinner instead of chicken. They want to jump into the deep end at the pool without the water wings. They want to to wear sundresses in the middle of winter. They want to play with Moon Sand instead of the less messy puzzle. Kids want a lot things that parents just… don’t.
There are battles—lots of them. And here’s the truth: Parents can, and will, win most of the battles. But it’s important to make sure we are choosing the battles we fight wisely. For me, I tend to fight the battles that have to do with safety and survival first and foremost.
No, you cannot swim without water wings.
No, you cannot wear a sundress when it’s freezing outside.
No, cupcakes are not a healthy dinner option.
I choose the things that are most important to me; the things that have to do with health and safety. Which is why, though, you will occasionally see my daughter at school in a pink wig and cheerleader uniform. She may have won this battle, but she’s eating chicken for dinner tonight.
Do you pick your battles in your house? Which ones do you pick?
—Ali, senior associate editor of CF.ca
Copyright © 2012 St. Joseph Media. All Rights Reserved.