This article resonated deeply as I take motherhood as one of the most important leadership opportunities of my life.
The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is an underrated weapon of health. When I decided to become a single mom by choice and by adoption, I made some internal commitments to myself. If I didn’t have the other parent to provide buffer, support, love, and foundation to my children, what else would they need? (Secret- I think these are things kids need whether one or two parents; the gift of single parenting is the gift of intentionality).
There have been two practical factors that impact my decisions for my children- prioritizing home and sleep. If I was not available for them, then I would make sure they have the support that they needed but that it would be in the context of home. Then I so prioritize sleep. It impacts our schooling choices. It impacts our scheduling. Viktor took a nap until he was 6. Now, he does stay up later than is traditional for other other families with young kids. But we definitely prioritize that nap/rest time. And in general, I let them sleep until they wake up. I also try to not stay too busy so there is down time.
The Gift of Decision-Making
I have always been drawn to Montessori-type education. Some of the key reasons have been it allows the children to own their choices. It also allows them to connect the dots. One parent-teacher conference when we were in a full Montessori school; the teachers asked me if V could practice wiping the dining room table after meals. He would wipe it top to bottom and left to right; the same physical pattern for reading. The reality is no matter what we do in life, we will need to learn to make decisions. We will need to learn to do our responsibilities. We do better when things are rooted in the specific joys of our hearts. Learning coupled with practical and internal joy; it becomes a lifestyle in which they can grow and flourish from.
The Asset Called Play
In Europe, elementary schools usually happen in the mornings where kids have their afternoons to play and be. Why does learning need to be boring? Fun is a skillset. It unlocks so much more than we acknowledge. And there’s a difference between fun and entertainment. But that’s another thought for another time.
What Can We Learn from Dutch Parents?
Dutch parenting is all about raising self-reliant children who are happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. By prioritizing sleep, decision-making, and play, Dutch parents are setting their children up for success in life.
