Parenting Resolutions Based on Age

Younger than 1: Be a recording queen.

These days are extralong but will disappear before you know it, and if you haven't recorded as much as you can, there will be a time when you look back and can't remember what they were like at this age. Write notes, take videos and photos, and for goodness sake, get in the pictures. They're only this small once.

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Age 1: Find a hobby that gives you time for yourself.

Image Source: Unsplash/ Priscilla Du Preez

Children at 1 are the most flexible that they will ever be. Hopefully they are sleeping, and while they love seeing you, you can also slip away every once in a while and leave them with the sitter without too much of a fuss. It doesn't matter if your hobby is getting your nails done or practicing French, just schedule some you time.

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Age 2: Take a step back and let your child start being more independent.

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One of the hardest things to do as a parent of a toddler is to let them take calculated risks. Even though this may cause minor heart attacks and frustrations throughout the day, the benefit of having a confident and capable toddler is very much worth it.

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Age 3: Embrace the chaos and let them explore by getting messy.

Image Source: Unsplash/ Senjuti Kundu

Mud pies, finger paints, and bubbles at bath time are the stuff memories are made of. Set aside the urge to clean every once in a while and let the chaos reign.

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Age 4-5: School is amazing, but don't let thinking about their academic success consume you.

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Walks around town, museums, parks, and play dates are also an important way to make sure your child will be successful academically.

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Age 6: Support school expectations, but don't complete anything for your child.

Image Source: Unsplash/ Pan Xiaozhen

It's hard and time-consuming, because homework for them consequently turns into homework for you. Help them, talk about it with them, but do not do anything for them. Of course you should be able to do the work; you passed first grade. Let your kids have a chance to do so as well.

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Age 7: Play more games with them.

Image Source: Unsplash/ Michal Parzuchowski

Every Friday night, my dad and I, sometimes accompanied by my stepsister, would play a game. Chutes and Ladders transformed into Sorry! and into our game of choice, Dominoes. These nights were fun, were a great chance to talk, and are some of my fondest memories of my childhood.

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Ages 8 and up: Don't focus on the future, but instead practice more mindfulness.

Image Source: Unsplash/ David Sobolewski

In a few short years, that tween of yours is going to be bigger and more mature than you can possibly imagine. Planning and looking ahead is fantastic, but find ways like journaling or photography to document those special moments that you'll want to cherish forever.

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