Parenting: Finding the Balance in an Unbalanced World

Finding the right balance in the life of of one’s kids can be a challenge. But some simple, daily factors can be helpful.

Nothing can prepare a person for being a parent today. The demands come fast and furious from every direction. Between school, activities, and family obligations, it is sometimes hard for a parent to find time for the simple things in life, like eating and sleeping. The only way for a parent to survive today is to know how to prioritize the things that are truly important in life and give the boot to the things that are not.

Activities

Many children today are involved in multiple sports, as well as activities such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. While it is admirable that children want to participate in everything, it is a parent’s duty to help them pare down their activities to one or two each. More than that and everyone, kids and parents alike, will end up being stressed out.

The Jones

Yes, those Jones are horrible people. They are the ones with kids on multiple teams, go on the best vacations, and seem to volunteer at each and every event. Mrs. Jones is always the team mom and Mr. Jones is always the coach and the den leader. While it is tempting to try to keep up with the Jones for appearance’s sake, it’s important not to put too much on your plate. The rules about participating are the same for you as they are for your children. In other words, it is fine to participate, just don’t overdo it.

Meals

Homework, busy work schedules, and sport practices often make it seem impossible for a family to enjoy a meal together. It may seem easier for everyone in your family to grab food at a fast food restaurant and eat it separately while on their way to or from an activity, but the time a family spends eating meals together is extremely important.

According to an article on Time Magazine’s website, children who ate meals with their families were less likely to get depressed, smoke, or to do drugs. These children also tended to do better in school.

Of course, many people would argue that they just don’t have the time to prepare, cook, and serve a meal and then have to clean up. Remember, it is not so much what you are serving that is important; it is the fact that the family takes the time to sit together and share quality time. Enjoying a delicious, hot delivery pizza together will work just as well for family togetherness as sitting down to a meal that took someone an hour to prepare.

Parenting is not easy, but it will be the most rewarding thing you will ever do in your life. The important thing is to remember that whatever you choose to do should be beneficial to the family, not detrimental by adding unnecessary stress.

About the Author

Renee Varney is a freelance blogger and occasionally writes for delivery.com a site she loves using to find local Local Delivery Pizza, or any other food she wants to Order for Delivery Online.