Light-Hearted Parenting Tips
My favorites on Gretchen Rubin’s list of tips for being a more light-hearted parent (via Asha Dornfest, Parent Hacks):
6. I’ve been researching the “hedonic treadmill�: people quickly adapt to new pleasures or luxuries, so it takes a new pleasure to give them a jolt of gratification. As a result, I’ve cut back on treats and impulse buys. The ice-cream sandwich or the Polly Pockets set won’t be an exciting treat if it isn’t rare.
7. Most messages to kids are negative: “stop,� “don’t,� “no.� So I try to cast my answers as “yes.� “Yes, we’ll go as soon as you’ve finished eating,� not “We’re not leaving until you’ve finished eating.� It’s not easy to remember to do this, but I’m trying.
11. Say “no� only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure. Put water in the toy tea set? Okay. Sleep with your head at the foot of the bed? Fine. Samuel Johnson said, “All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.�