The art of lazy parenting
Whenever people find out I have five children, the most common comment I get is “Gee, you must be really busy.” (the second most common comment I get is “Rather you than me!” but that’s irrelevant to the subject of this particular blog post 
) Well, actually, I’m not a busy mum. I’m a lazy mum.
Yes, a bigger family means a bigger workload but I refuse to do everything myself. I try to model the attitudes and behaviours I expect from them. I make sure they have a (relatively) clean house to live in, food to eat and clean clothes to wear. I referee arguments, reward initiative and good behaviour and discipline bad behaviour. That’s enough, really.
As a result of such lazy parenting, my children will find their own interesting activity when its time to play. They take turns and share quite well (although that last part is age dependant, as obviously MissK10 is going to be better at that than MissC1!) They are polite and well-spoken, usually respectful of each other, and have been known to comfort one another when a game goes wrong and someone has been hurt. They are getting better at helping me around the house – MissK10, MrJ6 and MrX4 will respond positively when asked to help me accomplish household chores, and MrJ3 & MissC1 are learning from their example. They help each other accomplish all manner of tasks, work together as a team to finish jobs, and generally are better behaved collectively when we are out somewhere than they are at home.
Don’t get me wrong – my children are not perfect. There are arguments, tantrums, bad attitudes, physical attacks, and lots of sulking, and that’s just while we get ready for school and kindy in the mornings. I find myself telling someone to “Stop being a pest!” far too often (where being a pest is defined as deliberately teasing or winding up a sibling beyond their ability to cope) and I resort to chocolate to soothe my frustration when the noise just will not stop.
Overall, however, I am quietly proud of how well they are all turning out and I am looking forward to meeting the adults they will become.
- Rebecca
Ah, but as another mother of 5 I would argue that you are a “smart parent” and far from lazy. Perhaps you don’t get to do a lot of chores but it is quicker and easier to do it yourself, than to teach and referee and keep your cool all day long. Lazy? Not at all. You’re doing a big job, a fantastic job, and I applaude you.
Aww, thanks Teresa! Yes, it is a lot more work being the ringmaster in our particular circus than just being part of the clean-up crew
however the rewards are worth it. I take my hat off to you, as you also are doing a fantastic job raising your lovely children to be beautiful inside and out.
You’re doing a wonderful job Becca
I’m always amazed at how much you do with your children and I think that is what they will remember the most 