Happy New Year, mummies and daddies!
This year, parents in Malaysia are keeping it real with their resolutions.
Scrolling through TikTok, laughing at IG reels, catching tweets, and chatting in those ever-revealing group chats, it’s clear – 2025 isn’t about chasing perfection.
Instead, it’s about making meaningful changes and striving to become better parents in ways that feel personal and true to each of us.
Work-Life Balance: Easier Said Than Done
After having had discussions with my fellow parents, many admit they’ve been stuck on the hamster wheel of making a living.
With rising costs from groceries to school fees, more hours at work have meant fewer hours with the kids.
‘It’s not that we don’t want to be there for bedtime stories or when our toddler learns a new word, it’s just that paying the electricity bill tends to take priority.’
For 2025, the goal isn’t to quit our jobs and move to a remote kampung to grow our own rice (although sometimes rather tempting).
Instead, it’s about finding small ways to be present.
One parent shared her resolution to block off an hour every evening for ‘no-screen’ family time, even if it’s just playing board games or making instant noodles together.
Another daddy joked his goal was to get home early enough to actually see his kids awake on weekdays.
Goodbye, Sibling Rivalry (Or At Least, Less of It)
Malaysian mummies have also opened up about the tricky subject of comparisons.
We’ve all been there – an aunt at the open house may casually mentions how her three-year-old nephew is already doing multiplications.
Suddenly, you’re side-eyeing your own kid for sticking to a strict white-rice-only diet.
Without realising it, we may sometimes transfer that pressure onto our kids, comparing them to siblings or even their classmates.
The 2025 resolution here? See each child as their own person.
No two kids are the same.
Your eldest might be the overachiever who folds their clothes without being asked.
Then you have your youngest’s who loves smearing yoghurt evenly across their face.
The aim is to celebrate their unique strengths and accept their quirks while guiding them to be the best version of themselves that they’re meant to be.
Breaking Generational Cycles
One of the most heartfelt resolutions some parents shared with me is the desire to break the parenting cycles they grew up with.
Let’s be honest: many of us were likely raised in the rotan era, where feelings probably weren’t at the top of their list.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all method to parenting, today’s mummies and daddies may be realising that every generation faces its own challenges.
For some, this resolution means unlearning the harsh discipline they grew up with. And replacing it with gentle-yet-effective approaches.
For others, it’s about embracing a modern parenting style while still holding onto cultural values.
Parenting Goals Are Personal
At the end of the day, ‘becoming a better parent’ means different things to different people.
Some parents may focus on earning enough to send their kids to better schools, snag that elusive Paw Patrol toy, or finally afford a proper family holiday.
Others may aim to create meaningful memories or simply get through another year with everyone fed, clothed, and mostly happy.
Parenting isn’t a competition (even if some may force you to feel that way).
It’s a series of small victories that adds up – whether it’s finally getting your toddler to eat vegetables or making it through a single day without a sudden meltdown.
As we dive into 2025, let’s remember that no parent has it all figured out.
So, here’s to parenting, where the goals are simple: more hugs, less guilt, and enough coffee to survive the chaos.
Whether you resolve to stay patient, put your phone down, or finally teach your child to eat something (anything, really), we’re tackling this parenting journey together.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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