Free To Be Parents

By Jason Stein

I was at the grocery store yesterday to get salad dressing.

Do you know how many types of dressing they had? Twenty-Seven.

Now I only needed one bottle, but I had 27 choices.

Thanks to Marketeers we have more choices than ever before.

Why? Because studies show that people like choices.

Did you know that it all started with Pepsi?

You can watch Malcom Gladwell, the author of Blink, explain the history.

The short version is that Pepsi and Prego learned to increase profits by making multiple products.

What Does Pepsi & Profits Have to Do with Choice as a Parent?

Not wanting to make a wrong choice can lead to wasting lots of hours.

Think about the number of choices you’ll make as a busy parent in regards to schools, shoes, clothes, classes, books, food, etc.

That time adds up fast when you’re faced with uncertainty.

Identifying needs can help us out.

Our brains remember details even when we can’t. I remember the Miso dressing I love and the bad Ranch that gave me food poisoning. Since our overactive minds can get stuck in thoughts of likes and dislikes, identifying underlying needs helps us make choices in the moment.

For me, I needed a salad dressing that would contribute to my friends health and well being as well as being tasty. This friend, Kenny, eats only gluten-free and dairy-free.

The number of of salad dressings that meet Kenny’s need is exactly one: Gluten-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette.

It sure makes life easier when you sort out what is really important.

Monday Mindfulness for Time Saving Decision Making

* Almost all products and services come with a Guarantee. Why? Because statistically we’re too busy to ask for a refund. Remind yourself that if you’re not satisfied with your choice, you can ask for a refund.

*Notice when your mind is stuck in trying to make the “right” or “best” decision. Take a moment and sit with what is really important to you. Give yourself a deadline to make a choice and either move forward or know that now is not the time to choose.

* Make fewer choices. Yep. Make a list of all the products, services, or experiences you’d like to have in the next 6 months. Circle the top 3 and set some time-lines for each one.

Parenting in a world filled with time constraints can leave you depleted and overwhelmed. You don’t want to force or control your child, but you need some relief from the constant struggles. Here's the good news: No matter what challenges you face as a family, you can find ways to connect. Read More