In short: This article argues that parenting has no one-size-fits-all manual, and parents can reasonably adapt common rules to their family's needs. Kids don't need a daily bath or a strict sleep schedule, screen time doesn't have to be taboo, and parents must make time for rest. What matters is keeping safe boundaries, listening to experts, and enjoying shared moments.
- According to the article, babies and young children usually don't need a daily bath; the right frequency should be discussed with a pediatrician.
- Screen time doesn't have to be an "all or nothing" situation; parents can set reasonable limits and encourage self-regulation.
- Self-care isn't selfish: parents should find time for meals, breaks, sleep, or their own activities.
- When it comes to sleep, what matters more is that the family sleeps well, not that they stick to a rigid schedule.
- Occasionally breaking household rules—like having a pillow fight or a movie night with popcorn—can boost fun and relaxation.
What exactly are the rules of parenting? Who makes them? Your pediatrician? Your father? The internet? Influencer moms?
Parenting is probably the hardest and most important job we'll ever have, and it's made even more impossible by the fact that there's no manual.
In the end, you—the parents—are the final authority.
We have degrees from fantastic universities, but no one ever taught us how to be a mom.
Parenting is hard. Let's be honest. You don't know what you're doing, and neither does anyone else—even your own parents.
And that's okay! It's okay not to know what you're doing. It's okay to ask for help or advice, or to simply feel confused about how to do this thing called parenting.
There are plenty of books that will tell you what they think it means to be a parent, but in the end, it's your job and yours alone.
And yes, sometimes it can feel terrifying and overwhelming because no one knows how to be a parent without experience.
Bathe your child every night
Do you bathe your child every night?
It's hard to know what the right answer is. If you're like me, you probably have a lot of questions about bathing your kids—how often they should bathe and how much soap or shampoo to use.
So I did a little digging and found that there are many different opinions on this topic. However, most experts agree: You don't need to bathe your baby or toddler every day. In fact, most parents bathe their kids only once or twice a week!
"We bathe once a week because it's better for his sensitive skin," says Zuzana, a toddler mom from Bratislava. "When I tell people that, I feel like other parents judge me like crazy..."
Bathing babies, toddlers, and young children two to three times a week is enough. "Their delicate skin doesn't need daily cleaning," so you don't have to worry if they skip a bath today (or tomorrow).
Where experts disagree: Some say it's fine to bathe a child once a day, while others say that's too much—even if they're not dirty.
My advice? Consult your pediatrician about how often is best for your family, and listen carefully to their recommendations!
Screen time is taboo
There's no shortage of debate about the pros and cons of screen time for young children. Ultimately, screens are a huge part of life—after all, you're reading this story on a screen right now—and avoiding them completely is incredibly challenging.
Instead of thinking "all or nothing," you can set a few gentle intentions and boundaries around their place in your home. (This story about making TV time more enjoyable for toddlers might help.)
At our house, we don't restrict screen time, and it doesn't seem to be a problem. Our kids occasionally play games on the iPad, but generally they're more interested in playing outside or reading books. Sometimes we watch an educational video together.
I know it can feel scary to think about setting limits on how much time your child spends watching their favorite show or playing video games. But if you're consistent, you'll start to see kids develop self-regulation skills around screen time that will stay with them into adulthood.
Parents should be martyrs
If you'd asked me before I became a mom, I would have said that's ridiculous.
Of course, moms and dads deserve fun, rest, and a certain amount of independence. Yet last year, I found myself sitting with one baby nursing on my lap and one screaming toddler. I was crying, but I simply couldn't find the time or space for myself.
It was my wise husband who told me to rethink my instinct of always helping the kids first and myself second.
I started making small changes: I made my own coffee in the morning before preparing bottles, I went to the bathroom by myself before helping with the potty or changing diapers, I tried to get enough sleep at night so I wouldn't wake up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck, and I found time for myself every day (like a walk or reading) so I could be present for my family when they needed me most... even if it meant leaving them alone while they played together or watched cartoons while I took care of myself.
It's so easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of parenting, and before you know it, your life turns into a vortex of diapers, bottles, and tantrums.
But it's also easy to forget that parents are people too.
We need to realize that we deserve to take time for ourselves. We should be able to eat a meal alone, take a break, and have a little fun now and then.
It's not selfish to put yourself first—it's necessary! And when you do this small act of self-care, you'll be surprised at how much better you feel.
Strict sleep and bedtime are best
Since becoming a parent, I've learned that sleep is the foundation of my mental health. Sleep is amazing; lack of sleep is literally torture.
And yet, cruelly—getting young kids to sleep is one of life's greatest mysteries. It wasn't until our toddler was a year old that he started sleeping through the night, and I immediately felt more human and more like myself. We didn't do anything differently; he just grew into peaceful nights.
There's endless advice about the ideal sleep schedule, sleep routine, and timing. In any case, consult an expert, try something new, and invest in a white noise machine. But in the end, what matters is what works for your family and your child (as long as it's safe, of course).
Our kids are in bed by seven whenever possible, but we have friends who let their toddlers stay up until they're ready.
I can't count how many times I've heard: "I'm going to have a strict sleep schedule for my child."
And then I hear about endless nights full of tears, lack of sleep, and loss of sanity.
But let me give you the advice I wish someone had given me when my daughter was just a baby: Don't stress about the schedule! You know what happens if you try to force your child into a routine? Nothing good—and probably some tears too!
If you can, let your child find their own rhythm. And if they need to stay up later at night to get enough rest? Let them! If they wake up earlier every day? That's fine too! As long as everyone is sleeping well (and preferably a lot), don't worry about breaking the rules.
Your own rules
Sometimes you feel like your kids are a bit out of control or that you just need a break. And I get it—I've been there!
I'm sure you and your family have wise, loving, and sensible boundaries. Maybe you have fruit or vegetables at every meal. Maybe your kids say "please" and "thank you." Maybe you never, ever jump on the beds.
It's important to step out of our comfort zone.
But once in a while, it's good to break free from these patterns, even if they're familiar and comfortable—and just go wild!
Have a pillow fight, stay up late and watch a movie with lots of popcorn and cuddling.
Parenting can be challenging at times, so enjoy the moments when it's easy and fun.
As parents, we all know that our kids are learning how to be adults every day.
It's very important that they learn to have fun and enjoy themselves as children.
