Yesterday was one of those days when I felt that Hubbster and I had really nailed this parenting gig.  We were on the same page and we made some fantastic headway together in creating the kind of family life we want for ourselves and our children.

It isn’t always this way.  Some days we tuck the children into bed at the end of the day and fall into a heap wondering why things are so bloody hard, wishing we had handled a situation differently, beating ourselves (and occasionally one another) up about the should’a,-coulda’s.

We tell ourselves that tomorrow will be better.  We won’t yell so much.  We’ll be more unified in our approach.  We’ll  just get our parenting groove on and we’ll bloody well enjoy it.

After many challenging months it became apparent that we weren’t just going to find our parenting mojo, and we had to take some steps together to get back on track.

For the past few weeks I have been involved in the 12 week Parent Manifesto program run by Jodie Benveniste at Parent Wellbeing.  It sounds strange to say it, but already I have learnt so much about myself, about my family and where I want to be with my parenting.

I’ll be honest I tend to sidestep away from parenting information.  I find it contradictory, confusing and most often doesn’t fit with my style of parenting, moral values, or family life.  And to be honest, I really don’t want someone who doesn’t know me, or my family, telling me how to bring up my kids.

The Parent Manifesto is not one of those books.  The program is not one of those programs.  The parent Manifesto is all about helping parents to create an approach that is perfect for your family.

 ‘It’s not about being the best parent.  It’s about enjoying the best that being a parent has to offer.’   (The Parent Manifesto, Jodie Benveniste p 47)

It is…and now, I feel that I am.  We still have a way to go, but we are getting there.

I’ll share more of what I have learned with you very soon (I promise) but tonight I just want to share a little snippet of yesterday with you.

The Woo’s behavior can be very challenging at times.  Hubbster and Woo often butt heads, and despite the love they have for one another communication is often strained. It is a constant source of anxiety and upset for me.  But…thanks to the Parent Manifesto, Hubbster and I have spent a lot of time talking about and making changes to our parenting approach.

We are calmer.  We are gentler.  We listen more.  As a result our children are less boisterous, they have fewer tantrums and they listen more!  Who’da thunk?

Yesterday I sat back and watched The Woo and Hubbster connect, in that wonderful way that only Dads and their son’s can, with a smile on my lips and a tear in my eye.

It only goes for a minute, but it captures the amazing progress we have made.  I bet you can’t watch it without a smile too.

Thank you Jodie. x