One parenting decision that changed our home
Let it go. Flow. Keep time majorly; for the rest, let children lead.
This year, we made one parenting decision that changed the way our home feels.
It wasn’t a new routine.
It wasn’t a new book.
It wasn’t a productivity hack for toddlers. 😅
It was this:
Let it go. Flow.
Keep time majorly; for the rest, let the children lead. Which meant meal times were fixed, but activity after that was theirs to determine and steer.
So, instead of planning a “sensory activity,” I simply announced:
“We have one hour. You’re the boss.”
On a certain day, their big idea of creative exploration was… painting their bodies. Was that on the curriculum?
No.
Did they waddle around the house for 40 minutes giggling? Absolutely. 😄
And did they clean up post that? Of course, while singing songs.
Fuss created = Big Zero!
🌱 What Changed When We Stopped Controlling
For the longest time, we believed good parenting = good planning.
Schedules. Activities. Structure.
But in all the planning, we lost presence. We realized we were managing our kids more than we were enjoying them.
So we decided to experiment. We kept only the essentials: mealtimes, bedtime, and safety. Everything else? Space.
Instead of directing every minute, we started observing.
✨ The Impact (that surprised us)
✅ They became problem-solvers.
If water spilled, they got the cloth.
If toys were fought over, they (mostly!) worked it out.
✅ Power struggles dropped.
Earlier, every small thing felt like a negotiation:
“Wear this.”
“No.”
“Eat now.”
“No.”
“Let’s leave.”
“I don’t want to!”
The resistance wasn’t about the task - it was about control.
Children fight us not because they don’t want to cooperate,
but because they want to participate.
Instead of:
“We are going to the park now!”
I say:
“We’re leaving for the park in 10 minutes. Do you want to come along?”
Same outcome.
Different energy.
When children are given agency, resistance fades.
✅ Their confidence increased.
They don’t grow from being controlled.
They grow from being trusted.
✅ I started enjoying parenting again.
Less managing. More connection.
🌊 Our New Rule of Parenting
We hold the time.
They lead the experience.
Structure without suffocation.
Freedom without chaos.
💛 Try this for just one day:
Pick one hour.
Let your child lead.
Say “yes” wherever you can reasonably say yes.
Watch what unfolds.
Yesterday they spent 30 minutes teaching a spoon to swim. Olympic level focus. 🥄🏊♂️
I said, “You can choose today’s activity.”
They chose… putting stickers on my face.
And apparently I “look better now.” 😑😂
If this resonates with you,
you’ll love what we’re building at Life of PI Square
a parenting community grounded in trust, first principles, and learning through play.
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Let’s raise children who feel trusted, confident, and free to be themselves.
Flow with them,
Life of PI Square