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Parents want the best for their kids. Some want their kids to be independent, some want them to be more disciplined and goal-oriented, and many parents want their kids to have it all. And it’s safe to say that each parent’s upbringing is different from the other. But there’s one thing in common among all parents. They have all made a few mistakes that they wish they could go back in time and change. But unfortunately, that’s not how life works. The first few years are crucial in a child’s life. And it’s a magical and memorable phase in every parent’s life. But adjusting to this new rule can be challenging, and you are bound to make a few mistakes. In this MomJunction article, we talk about 10 mistakes most parents regret making so that you can avoid going down the same lane.
1. I Didn’t Hug My Child Enough
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“Oh, don’t hug him for too long. He’ll become overly attached to you.” This is one advice every parent have heard from their mom or friends. And there are people who tell you not to hug your baby too much, otherwise, you will spoil him/her. And we bet you are regretting your decision now. Your child will eventually grow up and won’t let you hug them often. So it’s best to savor the moments while you can. Don’t you feel better when you get a warm hug from your loved one? The same goes for your child as well. So, let go of the fallacies and outdated concepts about hugging and give them a tight hug.
2. I Didn’t Note Down My Baby’s First Words
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You will create tons of beautiful memories with your child in the first few years of their life. But you may not necessarily remember every single one of them. So when your baby utters his/her first real word, it’s best to write them down.
3. I Was A Little Too Strict With My Child
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Most parents have a preconceived notion that you have to be extremely strict with your child for them to be successful individuals. By setting high expectations from your kids and constantly nitpicking them, you may very well be achieving the opposite result. And looking back, you don’t want to develop a poor relationship with your child.
4. I Didn’t Play Enough Games With My Kids
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Between the job and parenting responsibilities, most working parents are not able to spend enough time with their kids. Make a conscious effort to spend quality time with your kids by playing creative games or engaging in some other activity. It will help you find out about their interests and talents while also creating a stronger bond with them.
5. I Didn’t Click Enough Pictures And Videos
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The best way to live life indeed is to live in the moment. But won’t it be nice to take a few pictures and videos every now and then so that you can cherish those wonderful memories in the future?
6. I Didn’t Make An Effort To Communicate With Them
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You barely have any free time in the first few years. And we know it does take some time to adjust to your parenting role. It is fine to do your own thing while your kid plays by your side. But if you make this a habit, your child will be all grown up before you realize.
7. I Should Have Followed My Instinct More
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People love giving advice. But it’s for you to decide if you want to follow them or not. After all, you know your child better than anybody else. So follow your instinct and what feels right for you than following others’ advice.
8. I Didn’t Create Enough Good Memories
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Every experience counts. It’s important to create good childhood memories that are going to stick with them for a lifetime. It can be a small picnic, a fishing trip or a simple Sunday barbeque, every other weekend. Your child is always going to remember these happy memories while growing up.
9. I Never Took My Child’s Opinion Into Consideration
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Yes, you have more wisdom and “Parents know better.” But if you completely neglect every opinion of your children, they might grow up to be insecure. It’s important to value their opinion and explain to them the reason for your “no.”
10. I Wasn’t There For The Most Important Moments Of My Child’s Life
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It is okay if you can’t make it to one of your child’s birthday parties or Christmas celebrations. And you might even have a good reason why you couldn’t be there. But if it starts becoming a frequent thing, you are going to be sorry that you missed those precious moments with your child.
Parenting is tough and making mistakes are common. There is no hard and fast rule on how to parent your child. However, we’re sure you don’t want to make any mistakes that you will end up regretting in the future. If our article was of any help to you in avoiding these regrets, let us know in the comment section below.
