Families For Life | Self-reflection for parenting growth and bonding
Every parent's journey is unique. While you may face challenges along the way, remember that you're not alone. Reflecting can help you sort out your thoughts, navigate your way through difficult experiences, and find ways to improve. Not sure where to begin? We have some tips for you!
Let’s start by acknowledging your feelings
No matter how well you’re doing, there might be times when you feel like you’re falling short. Perhaps you’re feeling guilty about sending your child to infant care or feel bad for not buying them a toy because you needed to stick to a budget.
These feelings are normal and part of the parenting journey. Don’t try to hold it in and use these moments to self-reflect. Ask yourself, “Why am I feeling this way?” and “What can I do about it?”.
Think about your priorities – infant care helps you ensure your child is cared for when you’re unable to; a budget is important to make sure the family stays afloat during tough times! You can take steps to combat your guilt, like planning a family activity over the weekend to spend more time with your child.
Come up with an action plan
If parenting feels overwhelming, creating an action plan can help you sort out what you need to do or make space for things you’d like to do. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to reflect on the situation and come up with concrete steps to navigate challenges or reach a goal:
#1 What is your goal?
Think about something that would make your life easier or would benefit your child, and write a clear statement about what you want to achieve. For example, your goal could be “I want to toilet train my child.”
#2 Is the goal realistic?
Think about whether you have the time to dedicate to the task or if it’s something your child is ready for.
#3 What’s your strategy?
Break down your goal into smaller steps and specify what needs to be done at each step.
#4 What’s the timeline?
While not all goals need to have an end date, you should set a start date, like “when the September holidays start” or “this weekend”.
#5 Who’s involved and what’s needed?
You might not need everything immediately, but writing them down can help with planning. It’s also good to think about who can be there to support you in reaching your goal.
With your action plan, you know when to start working towards a goal and how to get there. This way, you can make your parenting journey feel less overwhelming!
Don’t forget that you’re not alone in your parenting journey. Share household chores with your children or rope in your spouse when you create your action plans! In the chaos that comes with your new baby, laying down some rules and routines to share with your family can ease the burden on both of you and strengthen your bonds.
Take a break when you need to
In your journey of self-reflection, don’t forget to take a break! Parenting is tough work, and Mums and Dads deserve some rest too. Get some me-time, go on a child-free date together, or take a short trip to refresh and recharge. Taking breaks is beneficial for you and your family in the long run.
At the end of the day, while parenting is challenging, it is rewarding too. Take care of yourself, do some reflection, and enjoy the journey with your spouse! Check out some video resources that can help you ask yourselves thoughtful questions to communicate and prepare effectively, and adjust to your life with your new baby.
Resources:
https://familiesforlife.sg/pages/Article/embracing-your-parenting-journey
https://innovativeresources.org/the-power-of-reflective-conversations-about-parenting/