As we step into 2025, it's a great time to reflect on the bigger picture of your parenting journey. Every day, we make countless parenting decisions, and you may feel the urge to worry about the consequences of each one. But remember, parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. A single choice on any given day won't define the kind of person your child will become. Your child’s development is not shaped by any single choice but by the accumulation of consistent love, guidance, and the example you set.
When setting intentions for the year, think about the qualities you hope to nurture in your child. It’s tempting to focus on finding the "perfect" activities, routines, or opportunities to instill these values. But before you do, consider the timeless wisdom of this Aesop’s fable:
The Crab and His Mother A mother crab said to her son, "Why do you walk sideways like that, my son? You ought to walk straight."
The young crab replied, "Show me how, dear mother, and I'll follow your example."
The mother crab tried, but tried in vain, and then saw how foolish she had been to find fault with her child.
This story reminds us that children learn less from what they’re told to do and more from how we live. Instead of designing the “perfect” environment for your child, how might you create a life that reflects the values you want to instill? Whether it’s showing kindness in your interactions, practicing patience, or pursuing your own passions, the model you set has a profound impact.
As you look ahead to the new year, embrace the opportunity to lead by example. By living in alignment with your values, you’ll not only enrich your own life but also inspire your child to follow in your footsteps. Here's to a year of growth—for both you and your family!
Zen Buddhist priest and author, Karen Maezen Miller, gives us permission to let go of perfect parenting ideals:
When we liberate ourselves from the idea of parenting success, we liberate our children from failure, all without accomplishing a single thing.
from Hand Wash Cold: Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life
Reporter and New York Times bestselling author, Joyce Maynard, beautifully captures the dual journey of growth in parenthood:
It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.
What will you do in 2025 to create a life that reflects the values you want to instill in your children?
Continue this reflection in the Moment for Parents app.