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November 20, 2012
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Allyson Zadeh: The (soon to be) latest parenting trend

Most parents I know have a parenting methodology or ‘school' that they subscribe to.

You've got the doctors: Spock and Sears. You've got "The Happiest Baby on the Block" (one of my favorites) or "Baby Wise." You can choose between attachment parenting: baby-wearing, co-sleeping, etc.

Or... I can't remember the name for the other end of the spectrum, but it encourages more infant independence and allows the baby to ‘cry it out' during sleep training.

I'd like to introduce you to the next big thing. Now, nobody steal this idea and go out and write a book about it, OK? It's so good I'm offering it to you for free, here on Greeley Moms. The Soon To Be Latest Parenting Trend: Parenting by Exhaustion.

Now, Mom, even though you are the one who is already exhausted because you haven't slept since your second trimester of pregnancy, this is about exhausting the children. Thoroughly. Utterly. Completely. To the point of them barely being able to keep their eyes open when you are laying them in their beds. Then, you can have more downtime and rest. You with me so far?

Nice weather is your best friend when employing Parenting by Exhaustion. Our family also happens to have a trampoline and dogs to walk, which are two other allies. You don't have to spend any money to wear your kids out, though running your necessary errands can certainly help your cause. Go to the park, take a walk around the block, go out front while they bike/roller skate/skateboard. Sometimes, I even play the "see how fast you can run to the neighbor's car" game...over and over again.

If the weather is bad, get online and figure out how to exhaust your kids indoors. The other day I created a spider-web with yarn and tape in our kitchen, entry and hall and made the kids crawl through it in different ways. I am actively searching Craigslist for an old-school 1980's exercise trampoline to put in our basement for them to burn some energy.

Today, my husband took the kids for the longest short walk ever. Total distance covered was less than a mile, but Olivia rode her bike, Owen rode a Lightning McQueen ride-on thing and they stopped a bajillion times to play in dirt, examine flowers (weeds), clean rocks off sidewalks and remark about the cuteness of the neighbor's pets. They even stopped to say the Pledge of Allegiance when they saw the flag at the sales center in our neighborhood. One hour and fifteen minutes later, the tired, hungry children stumbled back in the door. My husband does well with Parenting by Exhaustion.(Sidenote: he also includes rough-housing, which is not my favorite thing, but feel free to include it if you'd like.)

There you have it, parents. No need to thank me. Just enjoy the extra rest you'll all be getting from now on. And spread the word: #ParentingByExhaustion.


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