Got your attention, huh? LOL 🙂

Ahhhh – the ever elusive blissful parenting experience. After almost 20 years of nursing, over a decade as a parent and the better part of that decade devoted to parenting and related care and services, I can tell you this with certainty: I have no idea what bliss looks like and probably never will. And guess what? I’m glad.

My father often tells me “you never learn anything from being right” and the older I get, the more I realize that this little pearl of wisdom is entirely true. The journey in parenting and in life is one without a destination. The highlights of that journey are the times when things are the hardest and require the most time and attention. Feelings of victory and accomplishment can only come from one having lived through and moved beyond great challenges and even hard-fought defeats.

Another wise person I know says “there are no problems in life, only opportunities.” My wish for all of you is that you find your own personal family bliss chock full of these “opportunities” for you and your kids to learn, be wrong, adapt, ask questions and be who and what you are with confidence, mutual respect and much love.

All that said, I promised you a “top 5” and I intend to deliver. All I’ve learned over all these years has brought me to a brief list that I feel is achievable and vitally important for all parents to know.

My top 5 secrets to parenting bliss (or something close to it):
1. Play with your kids.
2. Play with your kids.
3. Play with your kids.
4. Put down your phone, rearrange your schedule and prioritize playing with your kids.
5. If you think you’re too busy to play with your kids, see #4. 🙂

May your parenting journey be one of much love and togetherness.

Does your family play together? Tell us about it:

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• Call the HaltonParents line for parenting information or to speak directly to a Public Health Nurse (every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Simply dial 311 or 905-825-6000.

About this blogger:

Paula D’Orazio RN is a public health nurse with the Early Years Health Program at the Halton Region Health Department.  Wanna know more about her?  Read her blogs!  She’ll tell ya!  (She kinda likes to talk.)