What I Feel I Did Well as a Young Mom: My 9 Favorite Parenting Practices

Introduction
Looking back on my journey as a young mom, I’m filled with gratitude for the small but meaningful practices that helped me connect deeply with my daughters. These moments weren’t grand or elaborate, but they created a foundation of love, security, and joy in our home. Parenting is a beautiful and challenging journey, and while there are many things I could have done differently, these are the nine practices that I feel I did well. They strengthened our bond, created lasting memories, and gave my girls the support they needed to thrive. I hope sharing them with you will inspire your own parenting journey and help you create deeper connections with your children.

1. Dinner Together Every Night

Dinner time was sacred in our home. No matter how busy our day had been, we always made sure to sit down together as a family. We’d look into each other’s eyes, listen intently, and engage with what our girls were sharing. It wasn’t about fancy meals—it was about being present. This routine became the cornerstone of our family life. We shared stories, laughed, and even had some difficult conversations, but what mattered most was that our girls knew this was their time to be heard.

Tip for Moms: Even if you can’t do it every night, set aside certain evenings each week for family dinners. Make it a technology-free zone and encourage your kids to share about their day.

2. One-on-One Time Daily

As a mom of two, I made it a priority to spend one-on-one time with each of my daughters every day. I knew Haley’s love language was quality time, so we’d often play or craft for 30-45 minutes after her nap. Ashley, on the other hand, only needed 15-20 minutes of focused attention, usually filled with affirming words or a quick game. These uninterrupted moments were our time to connect and make each child feel special.

Tip for Moms: Figure out what your child’s love language is—whether it’s time, touch, words of affirmation, or something else—and tailor your one-on-one time to meet that need.

3. Rotated Toys for Fun

I discovered that rotating toys was a game-changer in our home. Instead of overwhelming my girls with too many toys at once, I categorized and stored them in tubs. Every week or so, I’d pull out a new set of toys, and to them, it was like Christmas! Suddenly, their "old" toys felt fresh and exciting again, and it kept their imaginations engaged for hours.

Tip for Moms: Try categorizing your children’s toys and rotating them. Not only does it reduce clutter, but it also helps your kids appreciate and enjoy what they have in a new way.

4. Built a Community of Friends

Motherhood is wonderful, but it can also feel isolating. Early on, I joined a Bible study group with other young moms, and these women became my lifeline. Many of them had older children, so their wisdom and parenting advice were invaluable to me. We supported each other spiritually, emotionally, and practically. Over time, our children became friends, and we shared the journey of raising them together.

Tip for Moms: Find your village! Whether it’s through church, a moms' group, or a community center, building relationships with other moms can make all the difference. You’ll have people to lean on, share advice with, and do life together.

5. Stayed Active for Me

As much as I loved being a mom, I knew I needed to take care of myself too. Running became my outlet, and I even participated in multiple half marathons. Exercise kept me grounded and gave me that much-needed "me" time. Whether it was going for a jog, doing aerobics, or heading to the gym, staying active helped me keep up with my girls physically and emotionally.

Tip for Moms: Find a physical activity that you enjoy and make it part of your routine. Not only will it give you energy, but it’s also a wonderful way to model self-care for your children.

6. Daily Worship—Solo & Together

One of my greatest hopes as a mom was that my girls would see me spending time with the Lord. My early morning worship was my most cherished part of the day, and I wanted to pass that on to my children. We had morning worship together after I woke them up and evening worship before bed. These were peaceful, intentional moments that grounded us as a family.

Tip for Moms: Start a small daily spiritual practice with your children—whether it’s reading a Bible verse together, praying before meals, or having evening worship. These little moments of faith will leave a lasting impact.

7. Encouraged Reading

Books were everywhere in our home, even in the girls’ cribs! I’d place a basket of books with them during nap time so they could entertain themselves when they woke up. This helped them wake up calmly, and it fostered a love of reading from an early age. Both Haley and Ashley became avid readers, and I believe those early moments made all the difference.

Tip for Moms: Surround your kids with books from the start. Create a reading corner in their room or place books where they can easily reach them. Even if they can’t read yet, they’ll love the pictures and develop an early appreciation for stories.

8. Established a Bedtime Routine

Our bedtime routine was another favorite part of the day. After dinner, we’d play outside, take a bath, read a story, have worship, and pray together. My husband would tell the girls an imaginative bedtime story that they still remember to this day! This consistent routine created a sense of security and peace before they drifted off to sleep.

Tip for Moms: Establish a calming bedtime routine that works for your family. The structure helps kids wind down, and the time spent together builds lasting memories.

9. Crafty Fridays

As the girls got older, we created “Crafty Fridays,” a special day where we’d focus on fun projects. Whether we were painting, making cards, or doing something simple, it became a treasured tradition. We’d laugh, create, and spend quality time together, and I know those Fridays helped them develop their creative sides.

Tip for Moms: Choose one day of the week to do something special with your kids. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—it’s the consistency that makes it memorable.

Parenting is filled with so many little moments, and while I didn’t get everything right, these nine practices are what I’m most proud of. They helped me build a close relationship with my daughters that continues to this day. If you’re looking for simple ways to bond with your kids every day, I’ve put together a Teen Interest Interview Worksheet with easy questions to ask them to tighten your bond with your teens. 

You can get it here.

Kristin Brooke

P.S. Want to set your teen up to succeed in any situation? My First Impressions Workshop is right around the corner February 25 at 3:30cst. Check out more information here.