by Charlie Brooks posted in Parenting

I had a specific image of the parent I wanted to be, and it was never realistic. My most ambitious hope was that I?d raise kids who would love to eat their vegetables. My least realistic promise was that I wouldn?t raise my voice to my kids unless absolutely necessary.
Making a list the parenting promises I broke would take up too much space. I might as well list New Year?s resolutions I didn?t keep while I?m at it. But I have kept a few promises. They?re small victories, but it?s good to know not everything I expected out of parenthood is unrealistic.
I?ll pay attention to my kids? screen time. I never planned to put a hard limit on screen time. After all, the AAP has changed its guidelines twice in recent years. I did promise I?d pay attention to it so my kids get a mix of activities away from screens, and I?ve done that. I?ll make sure they get a veggie option at dinner. This promise may originally have been something like, ?My kids will eat their veggies.? If so, I revised it to something more realistic. I can?t make my kids eat their vegetables, but I can put the option in front of them.
I?ll read to them as often as possible. I saw reading to my kids as one of the big perks of becoming a dad. I started reading stories as soon as they could hear sound and have kept it up since. No matter how the day went, reading before bedtime always makes it great.

 
I won?t force kisses and hugs on my kids. I ask for kisses and hugs, but...