From Motherlode - Little Rules of Parenting

November 3, 2010, 3:01 PM

Little Rules of Parenting

By LISA BELKIN

Sometimes a kernel of wisdom, at just the right moment, can make all the difference.

Chris Jordan, who blogs over at alphamom.com, has a wise and wry list that might speak to you today. It’s called “16 Things I Have Learned About Being a Mother,” and it stems from her realization that the most important lessons of parenting are rarely “about the big issues: breast vs. bottle, to circumcise or not, cry it out or never sleep again. No, the things that matter most are the little things, the small lessons we pick up along the way.”

Among the lessons that most spoke to me:

3: One day your child will shout that he hates you. Although you logically know this isn’t true, it will cut you to your core. Take solace in the fact that this means you are doing your job right. You aren’t your child’s friend. You are their parent.  You probably hate you too, sometimes.

4: When your kids are behaving in a way that makes you least want to give them affection and attention, that is precisely when they need it the most.

6: You can never have too many vases. If you are lucky they will always be filled with flowers. Sometimes those flowers will look an awful lot like dandelion heads. You will love them the best.

14: Cheerios. When your children are small you are required to carry around a container of them. Always. I am not sure if any kids actually eat the Cheerios. BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT!

16: Never underestimate the healing power of a good cocktail at the end of the day.

You can read her whole list here. You can read a similar list I wrote for my son’s 18th birthday here. Then use the comments to inspire the rest of us with little things you have learned.