If you could get a do-over, how would you parent differently?

[Anonymous]

I would not work outside the home. I’d be more suspicious of church youth groups. That’s about it!

[Anonymous]

I’d not use the dark colored water bottle, too hard to see mold build up. Light color, no straw ftw!

[Anonymous]

I can’t think of anything specifically as we did the best we could, and my kids are grown and successful, but I’m sure I would make mistakes again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d have a better sense of humor and be more generous in my assumptions.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d not use the dark colored water bottle, too hard to see mold build up. Light color, no straw ftw!

First place 😩😩😩

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t think of anything specifically as we did the best we could, and my kids are grown and successful, but I’m sure I would make mistakes again.

💕

[Anonymous]

I wish I had rushed my kids less.

[Anonymous]

I would have worried less when they were little. I was so dang uptight and questioned so much. But looking back, we did a good job.

[Anonymous]

I would have pushed my DH to move before our oldest started elementary school, when I knew we were going to need to, rather than letting him convince me to punt on it. Now we are stuck in the hard position of staying where we are despite some major drawbacks (schools, house), or uproot our kids. I haaaaaate it and I should have stuck to my guns a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

I really overreacted to my 4yo son’s hitting and absolutely made the situation worse. He’s an awesome pre-teen now, no long term damage, but I know I caused a hard phase to be a million times harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really overreacted to my 4yo son’s hitting and absolutely made the situation worse. He’s an awesome pre-teen now, no long term damage, but I know I caused a hard phase to be a million times harder.

I over reacted to things too. Not hitting but talking back for one kid and spitting for another. Yes they ended up doing it way more because they could tell it really got to me.

I wish I had just been calmer in general. Still working on that every day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have used daycare, had them learn chores early and participate, made DD learn to drive and get a job. Stressed less over college apps and taught DD to stress less.

I also would have gone part time instead of quitting my job. Trying to return to the job market with an elementary school child was a horrible mistake- took forever to work my way up in my career and was jarring for DD who went from 3 pm play dates and a mom that was around to aftercare.

However, DD was diagnosed with Autism in HS- so not sure how any of these changes might have affected her. Maybe she would have been diagnosed sooner.

What were her symptoms?

[Anonymous]

Work harder to instill resilience and tolerance of failure. Not moved homes so often.

[Anonymous]

I regret doing the “cry it out” method and wish I let my oldest sleep in our bed as a baby.

[Anonymous]

Stricter screen time limits when I first gave my older a phone.