Post by @dani.davidson

I’m not trying to be a perfect mum. I’m trying to be an intentional one. Having two little children has made me think so much more about the things I want to make normal in our home. Not because I think everyone should parent exactly like me. And definitely not because I think I’ll get everything right. But because I believe the little things we teach them now can shape the way they see themselves, other people and the world around them later. So these are some of the boundaries I’ve chosen for our family: No means no. I want my children to understand that their boundaries matter, while also learning to respect somebody else’s. I don’t want forced hugs, forced affection or teaching them that they have to ignore their own discomfort to make an adult happy. No sleepovers. This is one of those things I know people will have strong opinions about 😂 But for our family, it’s simply a boundary. My children can have friendships, make memories and spend time with people we trust without needing to sleep away from home. Real food comes first. I want my children to know what real, nourishing food tastes like and grow up seeing food as something that fuels and supports their bodies. That doesn’t mean no treats or that they can never eat something processed. It means the foundation of their diet is food I feel good about giving them. Screens aren’t the default. I want them to experience boredom. To play. To make a mess. To go outside. To read. To help me cook. To use their imagination. To learn that they don’t need constant stimulation to have a good day. Connection before convenience. I want them to know that they can bring their big feelings to me. That they can ask difficult questions. That they can tell me when something doesn’t feel right. That being upset doesn’t make them “naughty” and that home is somewhere they feel safe, heard and loved. And I know these things won’t always look perfect. There will be days when we rely on convenience. There will be days when the TV goes on. There will be treats. There will be arguments, tantrums and moments where I lose my patience. Because I’m raising actual children not creating an Instagram aesthetic. For me, being intentional doesn’t mean being perfect. It means thinking about what I’m normalising. These are our family boundaries, not rules that everyone else needs to follow. But I’d genuinely love to know… What’s one parenting boundary you won’t compromise on?🤍 #motherhood #baby #toddler #nutrition #mum