If you recently read my guest post on Milwaukee Moms Blog, you’ll hopefully understand that I am not always a model mom. Parenting is tough, yo! Maybe even particularly tough when you have a strong-willed child. {Can I get an Amen?}
I’m in the process of putting some workshop advice (from my recent business trip to Baltimore) and other public health tools into practice for a project I’m working on, but am laughing to myself because I’m wondering, is this really all about public health or is it actually about parenting?
Case in point:
When we as public health professionals want to combat a large, population-level problem alone, we will get eaten alive. There’s no hope for making marked improvement with such a lack of strength and resources. This is very much how I feel when I go head-to-head with my strong-willed child. If I went at the toddler-mania alone, she would break me. Eat me for breakfast. And then maybe spit me out.
Source: animalonline.info
See, there’s me. The little measly fish up against the big, bold, strong personality of a strong-willed shark of a toddler. ☺️
On the other hand, when we as public health professionals work collectively and leverage other skills, talents, partnerships, etc., we have a much better fighting chance at a win. Just like when Mark and I tackle parenting together {When we resemble consistency and carry out the same strategies} and when I lean on others in my journey of parenting for sound advice, encouragement and support through all of the toddler phases, tantrums, outbursts and challenges. It is with all of them that I am much better equipped to handle the madness.
Source: sandler.com
Parents, we can take on the shark(s)!
Next point of Public Health or Parenting:
The PDSA Cycle. For the non-nerds out there, this stands for Plan-Do-Study-Act. I now wonder though if it should stand for “Parenting, Dang that Sh*t is hArd”, since it is a cycle of quality improvement and one in which I find myself constantly revolving around as I’m navigating my role as a mom. Here’s the relation:
P: PLAN. Recognize the ‘opportunity’ and set the groundwork. In parenting, this is when we realize we have a problem and set our trial solution. To give you an idea, this could be finding the right reaction or disciplinary action to tantrums.
D: DO. Test that trial solution. As a parent, I test out what I plan to implement. Perhaps it’s a timeout or a different approach to the previously recognized ‘opportunity’ {I think professionals tend to use the word opportunity as a fancy term to replace the word problem ?}.
S: STUDY. What happened? Did the DO phase make an improvement? Or, in more practical terms for my example, are there less tantrums? Is there a softer response from your child? Do you see a difference in behavior as a result of your action?
A: ACT. What comes next? Do you need to go through the cycle again with a different plan because you are experiencing continued tantrum-mania? Or, were you successful? OR, is it that you have a new issue that requires the cycle use all over again? Talking back, hitting, disobeying? I’m sure there’s something at EVERY age and stage. Seriously, once you think you have it figured out, you’re on to the next phase and new challenges.
I’m constantly revolving around this cycle in my parenting. Continuous quality improvement is the technical name. Maybe we don’t view it as structured in our everyday lives and I only need to document or formalize it for work purposes, but I’m pretty confident we all do it. As parents, we constantly and consistently strive to do the best for our children. To do better than we did before. To love them more. To guide them correctly. To encourage them. To support them. To provide a good, healthy, balanced, structured, loving little life for them.
I hope you enjoyed your little public health/parenting lesson this Friday and that you think of me the next time you encounter an ‘opportunity’. ?
Whether you feel like a tiny fish up against a shark, or a hamster in a wheel constantly working through the PDSA cycle, just know you’re not alone. Remember? “Parenting, Dang that Sh*t is hArd!” But, we as parents will all persevere.
Peace, love and parenting my friends. Oh, and some Public Health in there too. ✌?
You may also enjoy:
Like what you’ve read? Be sure to not miss more and sign up via email below.