How to Parent Smarter Not Harder
June 7, 2021
Thinking Parenting blogger Cleare offers spot-on advice for working parents in her insightful debut. She details the difference between “work mode and parent mode,” advising readers to let go of a to-do list mindset when they arrive at home from work and instead “seize those little moments to establish connection” with their children. She identifies common behaviors that parents fall prey to out of exhaustion, such as giving in because it’s easier, doling out inconsistent punishment, and failing to give kids the undivided attention they need. Then come tips: parents should have a “reasonable plan” and stick to it, for example, as they teach kids to take on responsibilities around the house, model appropriate screen time, and help children manage emotions by acknowledging what they’re feeling and naming it. Cleare’s advice is practical and specific, and her tone encouraging: “Being a successful working parent means... designing a family life in which you can thrive. Because you really matter.” This will be a lifeline for parents struggling to find balance.