My Parenting Goals for 2016

I’ve been reflecting a lot on changes I want to see happen in my home in 2016. Truth is, I am far from perfect and parenting has shown me that in SO many ways.

A friend recently told me she felt she held back on her children’s earlier years, striving for perfection, and missed out on a lot of really great things. That hit home for me, so I have tried to live more in the moment and really just be the fun mom I know I am capable of being.

But, like any human — jealousy, feelings of inadequacy, and just general wanting-to-pull-my-hair-out moments *do* happen daily. I proclaim 2016 to be the year I pull an Elsa and just let.it.go.

Photo session FAIL.

Here are 10 of my parenting goals for 2016 to help make that happen:

Embrace the chaos. A friend recently admitted that coming to my house used to give her anxiety before she started a family. I get it — it’s pure chaos here. Telling friends coming over at crappy hour {from 4-6 p.m.} that they are entering a chaotic zone — is totally warranted. But I won’t apologize…It’s just my life, so take it or leave me. My house won’t always be loud and messy.

Laugh when feeling overwhelmed. When I step away for 10 seconds only to come back to my oldest standing over spilled yogurt on the carpet, my middle gal proclaiming “I pooped!” and needs a wipe, and my baby on top of the table eating leftovers from dinner — these are the moments I just need to throw my hands up and confess this is a pure comedy gift from God. Just laugh, clean everyone up, and move on.

Let go of having perfect kids. I’ve learned kids rarely perform on the spot like you want them to. Just let them do their thing and be overjoyed at the times they really go above and beyond — even if you are the only one witness to the cuteness…and your camera isn’t nearby.

Allow mis-matching and pajama days to happen more. Long ago I mourned the loss of clothing control here with my opinionated, non-girly girls. While I would love to have them dressed adorably daily, turns out they will pretty much only wear character tees {cringe} and leggings. Never dresses. Never tights. Rarely fun hair accessories. LET.GO. and let them be themselves.

Stop the comparison game. Your kid is not my kid. While having 3 kids has taught me that every child truly is different, sadness that my child can’t/won’t do X, can still wash over me. We are our own worst enemies, moms.

Relax about making mom friends. Over the past few years, I have hosted play dates and never been asked to hang again. Sometimes I wonder if it was something my kids did or if I said something to make that happen…Either way, I’m over it. Friendships should happen naturally and never be forced. Plus, ain’t nobody got time for that anyway.

Let our inner weirdness shine. It’s no doubt I have quirky kids. And really, it makes sense because I definitely am too. As a kid, I remember hearing people say I was weird {in an affectionate kind of way}. I learned to say, “Well, what is normal, anyway?” Weird = cool.

Continue to practice honesty. I don’t sugar coat things. We talk about our body parts and call them what they are — period. This is for safety’s sake and because I don’t want my kids growing up unaware of how life really happens.

Be transparent. When it comes to social media, I’ve noticed when I share parenting fails, they get WAY more likes and comments than parenting wins. I totally know why — people can relate. Nobody is perfect, and it’s nice to be reminded of that instead of just getting the highlight reel of our lives. I hope to use this blog to share more parenting fails {and triumphs} in the year ahead.

Spend more time and less money. I’m painfully aware that my kids just want to spend time with ME. Toys and electronics are great to entertain them for small periods of time, but really they just want me to crawl around and play pretend with them. I vow to make time to just play daily, even if it means I set a phone alarm to make sure it happens.

What parenting goals do you have for 2016?