From school drop-offs to after-school practices to weekend soccer games, parenting can sometimes feel like a scramble to get from point A to point B on time. It's easy to fall into the trap of over-scheduling your child, even though we know it won't raise their grade point average, won't improve their mental health, and certainly won't do any good for parents either. . If that sounds familiar, there's a parenting style that may sound appealing. It's slow parenting.
Slow parenting, as the name suggests, allows you and your family to go at your own pace. With the growing popularity of journalist Carl Honoré's writings about the movement, the movement has gained traction and is helping children (and parents) experience life more fully and discover their true selves. is shown.
“We get so many messages about what we should and shouldn't do,” says Bernadette Knoll, author of the book Slower Family Life: 75 Easy Ways to Slow Down, Connect, and Create More Joy. “I think the answer to slow families lies within each of us, when we give ourselves enough time to stop and evaluate what we want from our family life. ”
If you're looking to slow down on your parenting journey, here's how to get started.
exist
It's been said a million times before, but smartphones can take us out of the moment, so Knoll recommends being intentional about spending time together. Setting everyone's screens aside frees you from the burden of schedules, allowing you to enjoy the moment and connect as a family. If you've had a long and tiring day, you can also lie down on the floor and socialize with your kids (if they'll let you lie down).
“It’s about being as mindful and present as possible throughout the day,” Knoll says. “It takes 10 or 15 minutes to get everything done. Those connection points don't require a ton of time.”
Please allow enough time
If you've ever tried to rush your kids to school or swim practice, you know that rushing your kids inevitably leads to them getting sick. If people panic that she has everyone ready within 10 minutes at the end of departure time, give everyone her 20 minutes of time instead.
“I think of it like when you're stuck in traffic and you're due to arrive. You're driving and you're yelling at other drivers for how they're driving and you're just so nervous. ,” says Noll. If you give yourself enough time to get there, it will feel completely different. ”
Put family time on your calendar
What is slow parenting? few Do you have plans on your calendar? But think about how much it weighs on your schedule. Don't let something come up at the last minute and interrupt that meeting or appointment. When you put family time on your calendar, you're less likely to dedicate that time to someone or something else.
“I prioritize it just as much as anything else on my calendar,” Knoll says.
Discuss what's working (and what's not)
It takes time to figure out how slow parenting fits into a family's relationships, so Noll takes time to figure out what's working and what's not working during the week, and what her priorities are. I suggest taking the time to evaluate. She asks herself if the way things are going will work for your home, and then works with you to plan, prioritize, and set achievable goals.
your kids won't fall behind
There's a lot of pressure to include extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities on your college resume, which is the exact opposite of the principles of slow parenting. However, lightening the load can make students feel like they are becoming obsolete.
Knoll says if families take the time to prioritize what's important and set goals, students won't feel like they have to play catch-up to get into a good school. Many of the things universities seek can be accomplished together as a family.
“We can work on events together,” Noll says. “You can also volunteer together. You can also include it on the list.” [of goals] Think about what you want to do as a family. ”
