What did you have to change, start, or stop doing in order to be a good parent?
I ask because I’m a definite TV addict and my hubby plays hours of video games a day. And I know we aren’t being good role models for our little bunny. Already at 3 months she is drawn to the TV – sometimes even looking at it expectantly when it’s off.
So what lifestyle changes did you make when you became a parent in order to be a good role model? And how was it?
Re: When you first became a parent...
Although I'm not a parent I spend a lot of time with me niece and nephews...they often spend the night at my house. I had to change the way I spoke to people around them. I was in the habit of saying things like "you're so dense" or "wow that was the dumbest thing ever" etc...and I had to change that cause the kids were picking up on it.
Re: When you first became a parent...
I am not a parent yet but I know my sister did two things.. she cut her long nails so she didn't hurt the baby.. it was special she was very passionate about her nails and grew them long despite the fact that my parents didnt appreciate it. Second, she stopped listening to indian songs in car, that too again something that she loved to do. :-)
Re: When you first became a parent...
I cut my nails too :)
My husband is a smoker, but never smoked inside the house after our son was born. My son is 3.5 now but he's never seen his dad smoke. So he didn't stop, but hid if from the kid.... not good enough :)
Re: When you first became a parent…
TV is like a third person in our household 
I always keep it turned on when I am at home.I might be studying for an exam next day but I have to have the TV on,even if the volume is turned off.
My husband loves watching TV too whenever he is at home.
In a nutshell its almost always on.
We were discussing this just 3 days ago that what we will do to cut it out of our lives so that the baby is not influenced by it too much.
I am not sure what we will be doing,rather than just trying to keep it off most of the times,but I am pretty sure it will be a huge adjustment,especially for me.I cant even cook unless its on the background.
What else we will be doing,not sure.
I will Inshallah report back soon. 
Re: When you first became a parent...
Nomadic, soon you wont even notice the tv not being on, because someone else will be demanding your attention :D
TV is one thing for us, i try not to turn it on too much but ofcourse i watch my shows at night and sometimes shes awake. She is not in a habit of watching it yet though. If she is showing too much interest in it, then i stop watching for a couple of days myself. I am sure as she gets older, i am going to start watching my shows online instead of on the tv.
Another is good eating habits. I dont have them and i really dont want to teach my DD that its ok to eat cookies and cakes for breakfast, because its not. I want her to be comfortable with healthy and nutritious food. I am currently working on this one too.
Re: When you first became a parent...
oh sahar what a wonderful topic
i had to give up my tv slots cuz he was always in the way
i havent watched friends in ages nor americas next top model... nor project runway.. i used to watch these 3 shows religiously... no more now cuz the times they are on, im either feeding him or putting him to sleep etc
my husband hasnt touched his xbox in god knows how long... he couldnt stay away from it on weekends and even some nights during weekdays... but again. baby is always in the way...
im definately eating healthier meaning less spices and salt cuz baby eats what im having .. so instead of making 2 sep dishes.. i make one for us all and he has it from our dish...
we didnt change our ways until he turned 5 months... before then, he just lay there and played with himself... but when they start gettin mobile and need more nourishment.. thats when things get busy busy and time for changes is inevitable..
soon he will be goin to school and then starts all the religious classes, what to watch on tv and what not.. scary questions will be asked... oh boy.. i wish he was a newborn once again :o
Re: When you first became a parent...
Nomadic, you sound JUST like me. It actually got worse after she was born because the only way I could handle all those crazy feedings was to watch tv or go online to Hulu (I think I watched every good and crappy thing that's on Hulu) to keep myself busy. She wasn't bothered or even aware at all. Now at night she's aware of the light, and from around 12 weeks or so I've noticed her turn toward the tv and watch with us. I do turn the TV off now when I notice that. And definitely once she's moving around I won't be able to watch, but right now, feedings in particular it's hard to avoid. And usually if she's asleep and I'm doing stuff around the house, I'm used to it being in the background. But I think I'll need to change that.
Re: When you first became a parent...
Less computer time (I do what I have to do when he's asleep)
Less t.v. time (I download what I need to and watch it when he's asleep)
More Urdu, less English
More religiously aware. Before, it wasn't a habit for me to start my day screaming ASALAMALAIKUM whereas now it is - and yeah, I say it loudly when he wakes up. Saying Bismillah outloud, just reading the Quran sharif and duas/surahs outloud instead of internally ....
Eating habits change as well .... although I still eat chocolates, I eat more veggies too because he likes veggies and it encourages him to eat 'healthy' (I hope I can keep this one up)
I am also a lot more silly and clown-ish, particularly if it makes him laugh. I will be more antimated than 'normal', regardless of who is around. Believe me, I do extreme things to make him laugh and it's great (but kind of mental :D ).
Re: When you first became a parent...
So I think our household is not the only one with the TV issue.
One more thing I realized today while having dinner,something I would definitely want to change once the baby is Inshallah old enough is to have the meals at the dining table.
I know it is not the right thing but when it is just the two of us,we just take our plates to the living room(in front of the TV..!!)and eat there.
I would want to change that for sure,Inshallah.
:)
Re: When you first became a parent...
for me it was my language...and no i dont swear hehehe but even words like damn or stupid or crap I find it very hard to watch that and i use these words all day long... watching what you say is really hard because it comes out before you think about it....Im still working on this one.
i think i heard my daughter say stupid once...or it might have been stop it...i hope it was the latter hhehehehe
but you know what? we dont regret a “full stop” out of above mentioned list!