I Am An Unapologetic Chill Parent

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I am an unapologetic Chill Parent.

I have never attended a meeting for the P.T.A. I don’t monitor my teens’ screen time (and hardly did when they were younger either).

I held off as long as I could letting them get cell phones but caved under the pressure. Besides, I wanted to be able to get a hold of them at will, especially after school or when they were out skiing.

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Permission slips often, well, slipped my mind after being buried under other mail that didn’t get opened in a timely fashion.

As a kindergartener, my daughter wore paper-thin leggings in frigid Minnesota winters simply because I couldn’t stomach the all-out temper tantrums when I tried to get her to wear jeans.

She often clashed, too, which drove my husband crazy but again, but I didn’t feel it was worth the tears. Mine more so than hers.

When my son couldn’t for the life of him hit a baseball and was clearly miserable, he was allowed to drop out of little league.

When my kids wanted to quit piano lessons, after I was sure it wasn’t a passing feeling, I let them.

They were never over-scheduled. We didn’t drive ourselves batty with sports schedules, lesson, and after-school activities. We were all, and still are, inherently homebodies.

Their whole lives (except as babies…I’m not a monster), I haven’t exposed them to a wide variety of different foods or try to develop their palette. They are picky eaters. They hardly ever eat vegetables. They drink energy drinks and Mountain Dew. Not daily, but more than they should.

I don’t stress about them failing a test, skipping an occasional practice, forgetting to brush their teeth, eating junk food, or spending an entire Saturday in bed.

They don’t shower every day. Never have.

If they want a mental health day, the answer is yes. If they want to have a friend stay over for the weekend every weekend (pre-pandemic), sure can. If they want a gerbil or guinea pig for a pet, why not.

If they want to watch scary movies, go for it.

They don’t do much for chores around the house besides keeping their rooms relatively clean, doing some yard work, rinsing their dishes, and folding their own laundry.

I figure they will only be young once; they have their whole lives to do housework.

It’s not that I don’t care about the little things, I just prioritize what I feel is important.

Nurturing hobbies, laughing above lecturing, spontaneity over rigidity, and relaxation.

It’s not for everyone, but being a chill mom has certain advantages. I just don’t get hung up on insignificant things.

I have an uncanny ability to “Big Picture” it. I really don’t pay attention to what other people think. I would much rather that they feel loved and secure than over-worked and micro-managed.

I used to feel saddled with shame because of my laid-back parenting style: put on me by others but mostly strapped to me because of my own false perceptions. No more.

I am both a Chill Parent AND a Good Parent.

If my teens grow up to pursue their passions over obligations, speak their truth, heal their wounds instead of hiding behind them, be kind and generous people, put love out into the world every chance they get, be gentle to living creatures, and wake up every day grateful, that is really all I can hope for.

And whatever kind of parents they end up being someday, if that is in their future,

I will be chill with it.

5 COMMENTS

  1. I am the same way! Let them be them. Not who everyone thinks they should be! Me and my kids have the best relationships ever. My 17yo son is my best friend! The world needs more kiner people. Like WE are raising.

  2. You’re Amazing. I get you on everything but the Monster drinks but we can’t agree on everything and being a Chill parent is OK. I’ve always been a chill parent. My oldest son dropped out of all sports and joined band while getting into skateboarding. I was supportive of whatever he wanted to do.. We still spend Saturdays in our P.J.’s if we want and if the kids don’t like green beans, they aren’t forced to eat them.
    My oldest son is now studying computer science in college (his passion) and doing well. My middle son prefers music and performing over sports and my little girl dropped out of dance to pursue equestrian horseback riding lessons and trick riding! ?We just allow them to be their own people so when they come home to my house as adults, they can feel calm, safe to be themselves and know that no matter where they go or what they choose, we will accept them with no critism or unsolicited advice. It’s their life, not mine. ?
    I can see them coming home and jumping in my bed after a bad week and eating all the chocolate while watching Schitt’s Creek and laughing with us! I love this kind of life!

  3. Melissa , this me spot on! I always thought I was doing wrong, first time I put a medal on myself. Been a single mother, and always having kids arouny house to sleep over, every weekend. Not a problem. Love your article.Thanks ??

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