Penni Drysdale - P Plate Parenting

It’s true, there are headquarters for happiness. It doesn’t matter that it’s only temporary or for the purposes of a reality TV show. It’s amazing, don’t you think?

This show, which aims to make Australians happier, has me hooked. The fact that it’s on the TV (I don’t need to go to the effort of picking up a book and turning pages) and at a time when the two boys are theoretically asleep (theoretically) is half the attraction. The other half is that it’s got me reflecting on my parenting.

I love a good reflection (dimmed lights are helpful). Of course with reflection comes guilt, about all the things you have been doing sub-optimally, hopelessly or just neglecting to do. Most parents could probably write a big fat book detailing our shortcomings and failures – ’101 things I do on a daily basis that may well ruin my child’s life’; ‘Stuff kids up, the fast way’; ‘My kids hate me and here’s why’. You get the gist. But drowning in guilt is not the aim of the happiness game.

Apparently, if we want to be happier we should be focusing on that thing, I mean all those things, that we do well. It makes sense, doesn’t it? And I think, as a parenting cohort, we’re a wee bit pathetic at it. And so, as a means of encouraging all of you brilliant parents and parents-to-be out there, I’m going to get the happiness ball rolling, pushing aside those guilty reflections, feelings of inadequacy and failure, and list what it is that I am proud of as a parent.

1. We are raising two boys (by genetics or our brilliant environmental influence) who are happy and sociable.
2. We are raising two boys who truly value family and love to be surrounded by aunites, uncles, grandmas and grandpas
3. We are nurturing in our boys a real concern for the well-being of others
4. We are nurturing confidence in being around and engaging with unfamiliar people. In fact, like my Nan, the Big Boy will talk to anyone about absolutely anything!
5. We provide a healthy diet and lots of discussion about food and good health (having vegie patches and chooks in the yard go a long way to facilitating this education)
6. We encourage a thirst for knowledge
7. We encourage our boys to value and appreciate what they have
8. We encourage self-reflection, an awareness of emotions and the impact that someone’s words or actions can have on another person
9. We have rules and boundaries and we stick to them. More so, we explain what we’re doing and why, so that there are consequences rather than punishments (which are really about parental control, not teaching a child).
10. We are affectionate and forthcoming with praise
11. We provide a stable life with a roof over our heads and meals on the table

So there. Evidence in writing that I am, in fact, doing a damn fine job at this parenting thing. Now, tidal wave of endless, overwhelming happiness be forthcoming.

Your turn.