Things Every Parent Should Know

I was reading in the Parents magazine recently and found this article: "Things Every Parent Should Know." I found myself laughing at some of the things, I, as a parent, should know about raising kids. If I had read this when I first had Abby, I would have denied half of them and been determined to do the exact opposite, but now that Abby is almost 2, these "truths" about parenthood are more than true, they are humorous. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Don't make birthday parties a huge deal.
2. Do your chores while kids are awake. Using naptime to wash dishes or clean the bathroom is truly soul-crushing.
3. If the kids are awake, bite the bullet and be awake yourself. You'll waste so many hours trying futilely to extend early-morning snoozes that it's not worth it. If you are sick, pregnant, or it's the middle of the night, ignore this advice.
4. Just throw away the poopy underwear.
5. Don't beat yourself up if you have to use a bribe.
6. Buy cheap shoes when kids are little. Feet grow faster than you think.
7. Know this: That stain won't come out. And it's okay. (The sooner you accept this, the better.)
8. Teach them to pump on the swings ASAP.
9. Get used to the word zerrissenheit. It means a state of disjointedness, and it's the new normal for most of us. At least you can feel fancy because it's German.
10. Don't administer a punishment that hurts you more than it does them.
11. Do not allow the word wienies in your home.
12. Dress your little girls like, well, little girls.
13. It's fine to brag about yourself to your kids.
14. Independence is a wonderful thing. For everyone. So is together time. Make sure you have a healthy dose of both.
15. Don't buy the most expensive school picture-package. It's a waste of money.
And my favorite:
16. If your child falls asleep occasionally without brushing her teeth, don't wake her; baby teeth do eventually fall out.

What are some of your favorites?

I also had to include a couple pictures of Abby. ABOVE: She is showing off her apron I made her. It's a little long, but she'll grow into it. It's reversible, with the other side all pink. This side is covered with a vinyl cover so messes can just wipe off.

My friend posted recently about her girl loving to paint, so I thought I'd try it out on Abby. She was more interested in the water (this girl loves water) than the actual paint, but she made pretty swirls with the water. It only lasted maybe 10 minutes, but hey, that's 10 minutes of entertainment! My friend, Lindi, pointed out to me how well Abby holds a crayon. She holds it like she's been doing it for years....She doesn't grip her paintbrush, her fingers hold it steady. It's pretty funny to watch her color or draw. She'll get real close to the paper and concentrate on what she is doing. It's hilarious! Do we have an artist on our hands?