Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Cleveland, OH

You know that when you're a parent, you want to do everything right.

You strive to be the best mom or dad you can be, and with the influence of media, parenting experts, OTHER parents and don't forget the grandparents, it is sometimes impossible to determine what matters.

If you're anything like me, sometimes you just get frustrated as you try to determine what doesn't matter.

I want to share with you, having parented two toddlers (and currently parenting my third) my TOP FIVE things that don't matter .... and TOP FIVE things that DO matter.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF:

1.  Your child is potty trained by the time the rest of the neighborhood's toddlers are potty trained.  Each child is so fundamentally wired differently that you will (and I promise you this) drive yourself bonkers if you try to force this issue.

My oldest child trained at a VERY early age (boy, was I ever proud) and then consequently reverted back to diapers one year later.  Now, that seemed fruitless!

2.  You miss the signup, the lottery or goodness forbid the waiting line for "THE" best preschool in your area.  This is just my personal opinion, but your children will not be harmed mentally if you weren't able to get them into the elite preschool.  I am a laidback parent, but to me, preschool is about your child learning how to socialize.  How to get along with others and the biggest thing for me?  Preschool is about your child learning that he/she must respect and obey OTHER adults besides just family members.

3.  Your house is in a constant state of disorder .... your child will only be "wittle" for this short period of time.  Spend more time on the floor with them, than mopping that floor.  Take moments out in your day to cuddle on the couch, instead of dusting.

4.  They don't know their ABCs by the time they turn 3.  It also doesn't matter if they count out of order.  The point is, they are trying to formulate how

5.  They like to play in the dirt.  Encourage it!  Buy disposable tupperware and utensils so that they can really dig in.  Plant a small garden plot with them this spring.  Dirt washes off ... those memories that you create - often while simply playin' in the dirt - last forever.

It DOES matter when:

1.  Your child is raised, from a very young age, to say 'please' and 'thank you.'  Even if you have to spend a considerable amount of time prodding and encouraging those words at the appropriate time, it matters when your children know when to say please and when to say thank you.

2.  Your kiddos start to understand the power of money, at an early age.  We waited a wee bit too long to start working with our oldest, and to this day, he has a warped sense of reality when it comes to money (Tessy & Tab's moonjar works wonders!).

3.  Your child gets a good night's rest.  When our littles wake up after a refreshed full night of sleep, everyone's day starts better.  They eat better and they play better. 

Learn your child's clues for when they are ready for bed at night, and don't let them push past it.  Often they are truly ready for bed PRIOR to when you might guess they are!  Experiment and find your child's perfect bedtime.

4.  Music is an integral part of their everyday life.  Sing silly, sing loud, dance around the kitchen table.  Insist on "mommy's choice" in the car (you don't always have to listen to songs about boogers and macaroni while you're driving).  Ask your kids to take turns picking out the music during breakfast.  Play calming music right before nap times and watch their moods change.  Just play music!

5.  If you allow your little girls to play with diecast cars and your little boys to play dress up.  Let them experiment with what they like to play with instead of forcing the gender appropriate toys on them.  Get your little princess a dump truck for her birthday and your little man a baby doll for Christmas. 

What things matter ... and don't matter ... to YOU as you raise your litle ones?