20 Ways You Definitely Won't Screw Up Your Kids

As parenting editors, we're certainly guilty of instigating a little healthy controversy when it comes to sharing the latest — and sometimes contradictory — news and trends. To sleep train or not to sleep train; to sign them up for anything and everything or to let them entertain themselves; to rush back to work or to embrace the time at home . . . it can be absolutely exhausting. But the truth is, no matter your approach and no matter how many times you may feel like you're screwing up, we're willing to bet that you're a great mom. Don't let the fact that you do any of these things once in a while make you think otherwise!

01
Not signing them up for every extracurricular activity in town
Flickr user anjanettew

Not signing them up for every extracurricular activity in town

02
Supporting the school bake sale by buying a brownie, not baking 4 dozen
Instagram | lillybert8

Supporting the school bake sale by buying a brownie, not baking 4 dozen

03
Totally ignoring that stack of parenting books you keep meaning to get to . . .
Instagram | autumn.knapp

Totally ignoring that stack of parenting books you keep meaning to get to . . .

04
. . . And opting instead for something you actually want to read
Instagram | m_scribe

. . . And opting instead for something you actually want to read

05
Using the boxed mix for their birthday cake
Instagram | cherrybowss

Using the boxed mix for their birthday cake

06
Losing your cool every now and then
Flickr user Katrina Cole

Losing your cool every now and then

08
Feeding them formula
Similac

Feeding them formula

09
Totally ignoring the concept of bedtime on a night like this
Flickr user Ryan Orr

Totally ignoring the concept of bedtime on a night like this

10
If you can't get them to keep their mittens on
Flickr user kersy83

If you can't get them to keep their mittens on

11
Giving them a little screen time so that you can make a phone call, take a shower, etc.
Flickr user Brad Flickinger

Giving them a little screen time so that you can make a phone call, take a shower, etc.

12
Not saving every piece of original art
Instagram | livesimplybyannie

Not saving every piece of original art

13
If the tooth fairy misses a visit
Instagram | sarahphillips02

If the tooth fairy misses a visit

15
If a day passes and they never make it out of their pj's
Flickr user Devon D'Ewart

If a day passes and they never make it out of their pj's

16
If their entire childhood goes by without a single lunch that looks like this
Instagram | pomverte

If their entire childhood goes by without a single lunch that looks like this

17
Bribing them with a cookie for the sake of a sane shopping excursion
Flickr user Alec Couros

Bribing them with a cookie for the sake of a sane shopping excursion

18
Telling them little white lies to postpone tough conversations
Instagram | nabilahdaud

Telling them little white lies to postpone tough conversations

19
Telling them that "Of COURSE this is the same Goldy!"
Instagram | ichiro1984

Telling them that "Of COURSE this is the same Goldy!"

20
Dressing kids number 2 and 3 in hand-me-downs, exclusively
Flickr user Tara Faul

Dressing kids number 2 and 3 in hand-me-downs, exclusively