I would have worried less. My son has severe adhd and anxiety and we had such a bumpy road through all pre and elementary school. He is thriving and happy as a teenager. I didnt need to cry myself to sleep.

Tried to arrange more playdates including standing ones.

Anonymous wrote:If I had to do it over, I’m sure I would do it differently and make entirely different mistakes along the way.

That's the answer, yes.

Anonymous wrote:Wait longer before giving them a phone and been stricter about screen time

+1
I would say the same about the playstation we got them.

Anonymous wrote:I would have had more help from the beginning - like a gym with child care - it didn't cross my mind.

+ 1,000,000

Staying at home with the kids, I had such a sense of guilt for not earning a paycheck that I did not give value to my SAHM status or think that I should spend money for getting more help.

Thankfully, my DH put resources in place for me when he saw that I was drowning. He told me "No SAHD would do this without having a lot of staff".

So, look at the paid-help as a way to buy back time for your family, invest in your health, your social and family connections, in your kids education, in your kids mental and physical wellbeing, in making your marriage stronger etc.

Anonymous wrote:I cannot imagine trying to get my kids to do yoga before school at any age.

Yes, and yet, in my yoga group, kids are teaching on zoom in the morning. So, maybe be more flexible in your thinking??

If I had to do it over, I’m sure I would do it differently and make entirely different mistakes along the way.

I would have had more help from the beginning - like a gym with child care - it didn't cross my mind.

Wait longer before giving them a phone and been stricter about screen time

1--My kids were terrible sleepers from birth to about 8 years old, but they sleep great now as teens. I would have worried about it less.

2--My son was never a good reader, and I tried to focus on it myself. While I was a good math tutor, I should have brought in professional help for reading.

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.

I would have relaxed more I was too stressed over college applications.

I would use daycare today but used nannies then.

I cannot imagine trying to get my kids to do yoga before school at any age.

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

There is a lot that I have done well in terms of raising my kids, but if I got a do-over I would get them into the routine of -

- Doing yoga every day in the morning.
- Make them learn my native language.
- Make them do daily chores to contribute to the family.

I absolutely could have done this better.