By Rahila Ovais
Ever had a job where you had no previous experience or training; didnt come with an instruction manual, and people’s lives were at stake? Well that’s parenting! Here are some of the lessons I have learned while on the job.
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If you are not going crazy, you are not doing it right.
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Never argue with your husband in front of the kids. Remember you and your husband are a team. When it comes to parenting, you are only strong if you work with each other.
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Schedule regular date nights with your husband to keep your sanity.
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Whatever you do, never ever compare your kids with other kids. Also important is to never compare your parenting style with other parents. We are all being our best and doing the best we can for our families.
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Your kids are not a reflection of you. You will parent each child the same way yet they will all still grow up to their own personality; cherish that.
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No secrets and no lies should be the standard.
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Set certain expectations in stone. In my home, it was important for me that the kids learn Salah and Quran before any other extracurricular activities. My parents won’t even let me have breakfast until I prayed two rakats of Fajar no matter what time I woke up.
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A family that prays together stays together.
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Take lots of pictures of your kids when they are young. You will be glad you did that when you are old.
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Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your kids
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Be friendly with your kids but you don’t have to be their best friend. You job is to be a parent first.
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Spend the first ten years of parenting establishing your authority because if you don’t those next ten years will really suck.
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It is your circus and those are your monkeys, take responsibility.
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Kids do not remember what you taught them; they will remember what you are.
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If you want to grab your kids’ attention just try sitting comfortably and open a chocolate bar.
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Being a mother means developing “the look” that stops misbehaviour in its tracks.
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Don’t confuse “what works” with “what is right”.
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Actions speak louder than words. Enough said.
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You will learn a lot about yourself when you become a parent. For example how can you go through an entire day with only two hours of sleep.
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Don’t waste time trying to be a perfect parent raising perfect kid; love, nurture, cherish and happily live the time you have together.
About the Author:
Rahila Ovais is a mother to four ranging from 20 to 5 years old. She’s called Jeddah, KSA, where she was born and Karachi, Pakistan, where she was brought up, her homes before moving to Toronto twenty years ago. She is also a very opinionated person who has a hard time keeping her thoughts to herself. You can follow her on Facebook: HijabiMommy.
