Top Parenting Resolutions For The New Year: "Hindi Na Po Tayo Magiging Dragon, Ano Po?"

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2022 is coming to an end–we can finally say goodbye to the pandemic because we are finally celebrating Christmas parties and reunions face to face.

As the year closes, we tend to reflect about the past year, our realizations and learnings, the things we think we shouldn’t do, and mostly the things we should have done better. 

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We can’t go back and change the past, but there’s always an opportunity to be better. 

The new year symbolizes a fresh start and a new beginning, that’s why we asked fellow parents in the Smart Parenting Village about the things they want to change for 2023. 

Here are some of the parenting resolutions from fellow mommies and daddies:

Five parenting resolutions from Smart Parenting Villagers

1. Patience, patience, patience: “Mas chill lang”

We all want to be the cool and chill parent who never shouts and who never loses their cool. But in reality, sometimes (or oftentimes) we lose our patience. 

That’s why most parents answered this as their 2023 parenting resolution: “Mas magiging mahaba na ang pasensya ko pag nangungulit ang baby ko,” Jesus Lucena said. 

'More patience with my kid, pipilitin na wag mauna ang galit at iintindihin muna kung ano ang gusto iparating ng anak ko *fingers crossed*' –CJ Laneta-Galario

Anne Guilatco also shared a one-liner parenting resolution that says it all, “Mas chill lang.”

Whether it’s for cleaning the toys, taming a tantrum, doing assignments, almost all parents want their patience to be extended, because honestly it’s not that easy! 

“Mas habaan ang pasensya habang hini-help sa mga lessons ang anak para walang iyakan at away na mangyayari,” added Miras Manzano. 

CJ Laneta-Galario said, “More patience with my kid, pipilitin na wag mauna ang galit at iintindihin muna kung ano ang gusto iparating ng anak ko *fingers crossed*.”

When it comes to cleaning the toys, we can all relate to the same sentiment - we can’t count how many times we clean up toys in a day. Shayne Lou Detera shared, “Same answer mommy (hindi na magagalit sa kalat na toys) pero mahirap talaga minsan mag linis ng Lego, ang liliit tapos sakit sa paa pag naapakan mo.” And yes, every parent felt that pain brought about by a Lego!

Jammy Ching said what most of us feel, “I will listen more to my child. Lessen ko ang pagbubunganga at pagiging galit.”

To cap off the patience, patience, patience resolution, as perfectly put by Ruth Belisario Telen, “Babawasan na po natin ang pagiging dragon ano po?” To this we all say, Amen!

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2. Iwas budol.

The pandemic taught us some valuable lessons and skills, and one of them is online shopping. We still can’t get enough of all the sales and budol!

And parents, admit it or not, our online shopping carts are full of baby things! If we see a cute dress, or a toy we know they like, it goes automatically to our cart then check-out!

This coming 2023, these parents aim to lessen their shopping for the kids. Except for the essentials, buying toys will be less likely this new year. 

'Iwas muna sa pagtingin ng mga online shop para di muna bumili ng laruan... mag-ipon ng pera para kay baby.” –Cecile Vergel Balais

“Babawasan ko na ang pag add to cart ng mga laruan for my LO. Ngayon ko lang narealize na ang dami ko na palang laruang nabili nung nag-declutter kami and I had to sort 2 XL garbage bags containing kung anik anik na toys at learning materials ng bunso ko,” Dvna Camus Astro shared. 

To this, Joyce Pandos seconded, “Iiwasan ng bumili ng laruan para wala na ding ligpitin.”

“Iwas muna sa pagtingin ng mga online shop para di muna bumili ng laruan iwas kalat iwas din gastos mag-ipon ng pera para kay baby,” added Cecile Vergel Balais.

This is the second most popular parenting resolution, and yes, we all need to pause before clicking check-out!

3. Cook and prepare healthy meals.

We all want to prepare and cook healthy food for our family, but sometimes, our time and energy prevents us from doing so.

Juliana Beguir Tesaluna shared, “Magluluto na ulit ng food. Sanay ang mister ko at mga anak namin na nagluluto ako. Kaso 2022 is not a good year for me. Grabe effect sa mental health ko. Halos bili/order lang kami ng food. Di kami mayaman ha. Talaga lang walang energy magluto. Praying na maging stable na sa 2023 para mapagsilbihan ulit ang mga mahal ko.”

'More time and bonding with my girls at iiwasan ko ng ma-stress kung maraming titiklupin na damit.' –Love Tumana Santiago

This resolution was seconded by many parents in the discussion thread. 

4. Spend more time with children.

Between work, chores, relationships, self-care, time spent with our children is definitely affected. We can’t stop doing those things, but these parents vowed to take baby steps in improving their quality time with the kids. 

“I will be more patient with my kid and spend more time with him, “ said Pauline Brooks Dalisay.

Jedd Agudo Requimin added, “I want to be more involved in my children's life.” 

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For working parents, this is definitely relatable, “Leave my paper works in my workplace and alot more quality time with my kids and husband,” Armi Zabanal Cancio-Ilao shared.

This one is also relatable as many families went through adjustments during the pandemic, “Hopefully maayos ko na daily schedule namin this 2023. Change of work location and time kaya sobrang adjustment. Dami ko na hindi magawa for my kids. Babawi ako this 2023,” Pau dela Cruz said.

And sometimes, we want to prioritize finishing the chores first, “More time and bonding with my girls at iiwasan ko ng ma-stress kung maraming titiklupin na damit,” added Love Tumana Santiago.

5. Make time for self-care.

Another major lesson brought about by the pandemic is prioritization of self-care and mental health. Parents need it, too, so we can better take care of our family. 

These parents shared their resolutions on how to take care of themselves so they can become better partners and parents.

Sheena Liza Nolasco Diaz started off, “Mag-diet na talaga ako… Natatawa ako pag nakakakita ng ganito post. Actually every year ganyan talaga resolution ko. Minsan nasusunod minsan hindi, nag stay na yung timbang ko as long as happy si Hubby sa katawan ko okay na ako. Happy wife, happy life.”

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Followed by NC Go, “Ako more on self improvement. I want to exercise more and eat foods na better for my health. As a parent kailangan din na healthy ako para ma-alagaan ko yung anak ko.”

EA Carrera summarized everything we needed for our mental health, “Mindfulness and always fill my cup of love too (and for that to happen, welcome any help). No matter how much we want to be empowered and strong, we have to allow others to help us if they can help us they way we need to kahit na not how we want to because we have to look after ourselves, our sleep, our me time, our health… so that we become the best parent our child deserves.”

Happy new year, Smart Parenting Fam!