For once I feel like a great parent

[Anonymous]

I used to feel like a lazy parent because on weekends we stay around the house and hang out. We attend birthday parties, and have one 45-minute class a day, but other than that we are home or at the park playing or reading and relaxing. No screens other than a family movie after dinner. I used to think I should be more active like the other parents who were always go, go, go with classes and playdates and going to this place and that from morning to evening every single Saturday and Sunday. Now I’m realizing they do that because they don’t know how to interact with their kid, so they’d rather drive them around to places and let them be entertained by structured activities. And as a result, the kids don’t know how to entertain themselves either and get bored without activities or screens.

[Anonymous]

I can’t roll my eyes hard enough at this.

[Anonymous]

eh, you just have laid back kids.

[Anonymous]

You should not judge yourself compared to others. Before you were not lazy; you know your kid and did what worked for your family and others likely did too. Now, you’re doing what works for your family and others are too.

I have a kid that enjoys hanging with friends, playing sports outside, and loves to go, go, go; and a laid back kid who is content building with Legos or drawing alone. Am I abetter parent to one than the other? Um, no!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to feel like a lazy parent because on weekends we stay around the house and hang out. We attend birthday parties, and have one 45-minute class a day, but other than that we are home or at the park playing or reading and relaxing. No screens other than a family movie after dinner. I used to think I should be more active like the other parents who were always go, go, go with classes and playdates and going to this place and that from morning to evening every single Saturday and Sunday. Now I’m realizing they do that because they don’t know how to interact with their kid, so they’d rather drive them around to places and let them be entertained by structured activities. And as a result, the kids don’t know how to entertain themselves either and get bored without activities or screens.

Why? Why can't you just be happy that things are going well for you without trying to throw shade on other parents? Not to mention, it hasn't even been 2 weeks, so you're probably a bit early in patting yourself on the back.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you're a great parent but you're a F****up B

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to feel like a lazy parent because on weekends we stay around the house and hang out. We attend birthday parties, and have one 45-minute class a day, but other than that we are home or at the park playing or reading and relaxing. No screens other than a family movie after dinner. I used to think I should be more active like the other parents who were always go, go, go with classes and playdates and going to this place and that from morning to evening every single Saturday and Sunday. Now I’m realizing they do that because they don’t know how to interact with their kid, so they’d rather drive them around to places and let them be entertained by structured activities. And as a result, the kids don’t know how to entertain themselves either and get bored without activities or screens.

Enjoy the next 12 weeks on lockdown with your screen-free kids, OP. I’m simply positive you’ll be equally screen-free and self-congratulatory at the end of all of this.

[Anonymous]

Good for you, OP. We are a high energy family with high energy kids. Staying at home is rough for us, but we are making the best of it. I wouldn’t judge you for being mostly at home on the weekends and hopefully you don’t judge me for having a hard time with this.

[Anonymous]

Me too.
I have a child with high functioning ASD. I am so used to getting judgmental looks when we are out in public because of his behavior. Now, when he won't touch anyone and only wants to talk about interesting facts about coronavirus, it's like I am the best parent ever.

[Anonymous]

I try to teach my kids to be humble

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good for you, OP. We are a high energy family with high energy kids. Staying at home is rough for us, but we are making the best of it. I wouldn’t judge you for being mostly at home on the weekends and hopefully you don’t judge me for having a hard time with this.

WTF does “high energy” mean - ADHD? Because one can do high energy things at or near home.

[Anonymous]

Wait - OP says they
1) go to birthday parties
2) have one activity for 45 minutes each weekend day
3) go to the park

OP WTF - that is not "hanging around the house" - you are taking your kid to structured activities, birthdays, and playgrounds. That is a pretty normal weekend for the vast majority of kids in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to feel like a lazy parent because on weekends we stay around the house and hang out. We attend birthday parties, and have one 45-minute class a day, but other than that we are home or at the park playing or reading and relaxing. No screens other than a family movie after dinner. I used to think I should be more active like the other parents who were always go, go, go with classes and playdates and going to this place and that from morning to evening every single Saturday and Sunday. Now I’m realizing they do that because they don’t know how to interact with their kid, so they’d rather drive them around to places and let them be entertained by structured activities. And as a result, the kids don’t know how to entertain themselves either and get bored without activities or screens.

STFU. Do you really think you are so much better because of this? Its quite funny actually.

My kids are involved in lots of activities because they want to be. They enjoy the activity and the social interaction. I guarantee you I know my kids as well as you do, and am perfectly capable and happy interacting with them in every way.


How about you do you, and realize other people do it differently, not worse, based on their own family dynamics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait - OP says they
1) go to birthday parties
2) have one activity for 45 minutes each weekend day
3) go to the park

OP WTF - that is not "hanging around the house" - you are taking your kid to structured activities, birthdays, and playgrounds. That is a pretty normal weekend for the vast majority of kids in this area.

+100. OP doesn't seem that bright

[Anonymous]

My kids have an online component of learning for their EC activities. They are on Zoom, Facetime etc and doing all the learning. I feel good we have a full home gym and the kids are using it somewhat (20-30 minutes). They also have online classes with their tutors or other resources aligned with their curriculum. My kids have also organized daily chats with their friends and I hear them laughing and talking to their friends.

I can extremely happy that I am winning in these dystopian times but the truth is that I am also privileged because I am rich, very educated, raised in a functional family and in a super functional marriage. I am also lucky that through nature and nurture and intact family life my kids are also benefiting and they do not have any learning or health disability. They are not depressed or addicted. They are delightful, high performing, thoughful teens.

Things have come about easily and allowed me to take correct and beneficial steps and I can pat myself on the back and say that I am great this or that. But, think about this - a tornado, hurricane, 9/11 or riots will see all of this destroyed - and we all will be crying "mommy".

Besides, the people who are poor, losing their jobs, single parents, sick, have sick relatives, have small kids, have family that is deployed, are essential providers etc, they are he ones who are suffering.

You and I have not suffered. We have not been tested yet. This is NOTHING.