When my twins arrived when I was 27, my oldest was just under 4, and my middle child was a mere 19 months old. Fast forward to today, and the twins are 11, my middle child is 12, and my eldest is 14. After spending a decade in the thick of new motherhood, I’ve come to realize that some of my most celebrated parenting techniques were quite unconventional. Each mom develops her own unique spin on parenting, often normalizing practices that others might find odd. Here are some of the more creative strategies I employed during those early years:
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Pre-Chewing Food for the Kids
With a breastfeeding baby (or two), and another child struggling with tough food, I took it upon myself to pre-chew their meals. While it may sound strange, I’d soften their food in my mouth before serving it to them. Thankfully, they don’t recall those moments where I played chef and bird! -
The Bathtub Tooth-Brushing Station
In our small bathroom shared by four kids, I devised a method for nighttime tooth brushing—having all my kids brush their teeth at the same time alongside the bathtub. This eliminated the need for step stools and kept my little ones safe from potential falls while I assisted the older ones. -
Wholesale Socks
Looking back, I wish I had realized that 10-year-olds deserve their own socks. Instead, I kept a bin of nearly identical socks by the front door, making it easy for my kids to grab a pair without worrying about matching. Now that they have their own socks, they’ve become hoarders who refuse to wear matching pairs. -
Singing About Vaccinations
Kids are often apprehensive about shots, so I created silly songs about vaccines to help them understand their importance. They’d sing cheerful tunes like, “Polio! No, no Polio! A shot hurts less than polio, oh, oh!” This helped them associate vaccines with protection rather than fear. -
Upset Stomach Protocol
My kids learned the “Upset Stomach Protocol” early on. As soon as they could manage a bucket, they were taught to use it for vomiting, empty it, and rinse it out afterward. The protocol evolved through various versions, even including a training program where they became “enforcers” to ensure compliance, which was critical during norovirus outbreaks. -
Ditching Baby Clothes
During my pregnancy with the twins, I received countless adorable outfits, but dressing them quickly became a nightmare. I resolved this by opting for simple onesies, freeing myself from the hassle of snaps and buttons. No more fuss over clothing for little ones who couldn’t voice their opinions! -
Going Without a Television
I thought that avoiding a TV would make us more productive and unique. However, once we finally got one, my son mistook a McDonald’s commercial for a movie about hamburgers. In hindsight, a TV could have served as a helpful distraction during chaotic moments with my twins and other kids. -
Strict 7 p.m. Bedtime
Early bedtimes were a staple in my household. The downside was that my kids held onto them longer than I anticipated. When my 12-year-old mentioned her friends stayed up until 9 p.m., I adjusted bedtime to 8:30. While sleep hygiene is crucial, I missed out on other family activities we could have enjoyed together. -
Backyard Homesteading
I found that growing food in my own backyard was often easier than grocery shopping. I stocked up on flour and butter, making our bread and pasta from scratch. I was all about the carbs before low-carb was trendy!
There were plenty of unconventional moments, like shaving my head to avoid haircuts and learning how to grocery shop while managing two toddlers and a baby. Now, as I write this from work—yes, I have a job outside of the house—I’m a bit more put together, even having time for makeup. I’m now remarried, parenting a lively mix of six kids aged 9, 11, 11, 11, 12, and 14. I can only imagine the new hacks I’ll develop in the coming years!
While some parenting strategies may seem quirky, if they simplify your life, they’re absolutely worth it. For more on navigating the journey of parenting, check out our post on the home insemination kit, and for insights on early pregnancy signs, visit this resource. You can also find valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination at Progyny.
Summary
In this article, Emma Larkin shares her unique parenting strategies developed over a decade while raising four children. From pre-chewing food to creating themed songs about vaccinations, her experiences highlight the creativity and adaptability required in parenting. As she navigates the challenges of motherhood, her insights serve as a reminder that unconventional methods can make the parenting journey more manageable and enjoyable.