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By Mutryce A Williams,

Navigating “Island” Parenting is a submission of insights, quotes, tips and parenting advice that I have gathered over the years as a source of inspiration and as tools to deal with the daily challenges of parenting. From why we should use something like this Holle goat milk formula to feed to our children when they are no older than babies, to how to navigate their terrible two’s, we discuss anything and everything. This week’s issue: What I Wish I Had Known before I Had Kids that I Know Now. The hope is that this submission would cause you to reflect on your parenting skills and also make the journey of parenting a bit easier or brighter.

As I was thumbing through one parenting journal; I came across a rather poignant excerpt by Dawn Hallman MA. It was titled, “What I Wish I Had Known before I Had Kids that I Know Now.” Hallman’s words have been instrumental to my parenting approach over the years. Her words have helped me to understand that “my children’s behaviour was a language that their actions and words were telling something about what they were feeling and thinking”. Her words have helped me to exercise the much needed love; understanding and most importantly, her words have helped me to exercise patience when responding to my children’s language.

Doesn’t everyone, at some point in their lives, Feel like a bad mum or parent? I can’t quite recall every bit of information that I have shared with you over the years, maybe I have shared this before, but as I took in the words of Ms Hallman once again, and reflected on my parenting skills, I thought that this nugget was worth sharing, and sharing, and sharing again, so I thought that I would share.

What I Wish I Had Known Before I Had Kids that I Know Now

“I wish I had known that my children’s behavior was a language – that their actions and words were telling me something about what they were feeling and thinking. I wish that I remembered that they did not get up in the morning plotting to do things to frustrate me. I wish I had known that the meltdowns and explosions usually meant that my kids were tired, or hungry or bored or frustrated themselves. I wish I had known that they needed an adult to help them find the words to express what was troubling them. But they sure didn’t need a frustrated adult. I wish I had known more about child development, brain development and behavior. I wish I had known that growing up is a slow process. I wish I’d known how each development stage has its own way of seeing the world. I wish I had known that most times they saw things very differently than me. I wish I had listened more to what was true about their hearts and spirits and personalities than worrying about what other people thought of their behavior.” Dawn Hallman, M.A. – Executive Director of the Dallas Association for Parent Education

A Child’s Nature

“It is the nature of the child to behave childishly. That means that childish behavior is normal for children. Parents reacting with childish outbursts, hitting and demanding their own way and name calling to their children’s normal behavior reveals areas the parent needs to grow so that they can respond with the true nature of an adult… with mature, wise and compassionate guidance.” L.R. Knost

Words of Wisdom for Your Children

“If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Your words are powerful so use them wisely. All great achievements require time.”

Recommended Reading for Children

The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters written by Allan Ahlberg, Illustrated by Janet Ahlberg

The Story of Babar by Jean De Brunhoff

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Gentle Reminder for the Parent

“You are only human. You don’t have to have it together every minute of every day.” Anne Hathaway

Parenting Quotes

“As a mother it is my job to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible.” Ruth Belle Graham

“Nothing else you will ever own; no worldly thing you will ever acquire, will be worth so much as the love of your children.” Gordon B. Hinckley

“It is crucial that when our children look into our eyes, regardless of the circumstances that they are facing, what they see is someone that believes in them.” Unknown

“Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.” Regina Brett

“Children need at least one person in their lives who thinks that the sun rises and sets on them, someone who delights in their existence and loves them unconditionally”. Pam Leo

Recommended Reading for the Parent

Ages and Stages: A Parent’s Guide to Normal Childhood Development by Charles E. Schaefer and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo

Mutryce A. Williams, a native of St Kitts and Nevis is the mother of 6-year-old Daniel and 5-year-old Nicholas. She not only values the many facets of West Indian parenting but also thinks that there is vast room for improvement. A former educator and a child/youth advocate, Mutryce firmly believes that children should not only be seen but heard. She may be contacted at mutrycewilliams@gmail.com