Why 2025 Is Your Year To Become An Intentional Parent
If you have a child, you’re committed to at least 18 years of being the most important person in their life. Are you going to make that time count or just wing it? That, my friend, is intentional parenting in a nutshell. We have the opportunity to choose how we parent, what values we teach, and what goals we focus on in raising our children. From daily interactions to larger family traditions, it’s your parenting journey—are you along for the ride, or are you ready to take charge and be the best parent you can be?
Today, I’m sharing my 5 C’s Parenting Framework—a system I developed during my 14 years as a stay-at-home mom. Now, I teach dedicated parents how to parent with intention and confidence. Oh, and here’s the bonus: these five strategies not only guide you toward becoming a more intentional parent but also promote better behavior in your child, making parenting a whole lot easier and more enjoyable.
Let’s dive in!
1. Communication
The foundation of intentional parenting is communicating with your child in a calm, supportive, and loving manner. Using psychology-based communication tools helps you say the right things in the right way, setting the stage for successful interactions.
Show unconditional love.
Teach through your communication, always looking toward the future.
2. Consistency
Consistency is key to setting your kids up for success. This includes everything from daily routines to how you interact with your child and the outcomes they can expect from their behavior.
When children know what to expect, they feel safe and secure, which gives them the confidence to grow and explore.
Stick to general patterns: consistent mealtimes, a predictable bedtime routine, or a regular schedule for family outings and reading.
Kids thrive on knowing what their day will look like!
3. Choices & Checkpoints
Yes, I snuck two C’s into this one! Giving children age-appropriate choices is essential for fostering independence, while understanding developmental checkpoints helps you set realistic expectations.
Focus on today’s behavior and enjoy the present, but keep an eye on their future growth.
For example, let them choose their outfit or what book to read before bed—small steps toward independence.
4. Consequences
Teaching consequences is one of the most powerful ways to guide children toward good decision-making. If-then statements allow you to maintain your composure while reinforcing cause and effect.
Use consistent, predictable consequences to help children understand how their actions affect others.
Follow through is critical—children need to see that if-then statements are not just empty words.
5. Check Yourself
Parenting is hard work, and staying intentional requires self-awareness. Checking yourself means pausing when you feel frustrated and using strategies to ground yourself and refocus.
Parenting isn’t always easy, and kids aren’t always smiling.
When challenges arise, catch yourself and lean on problem-solving tools: distraction, humor, or even taking a moment for yourself.
By staying grounded, you can better navigate roadblocks and create a more joyful parenting experience.
These 5 C’s form the backbone of intentional parenting. They’ll help you create more meaningful interactions with your child and make you feel like the amazing parent you are! Let me know in the comments if you agree.
If you’ve ever woken up dreading the parenting day ahead, found yourself spending more time disciplining than enjoying your kids, or felt unsure about handling challenging situations, it’s time to get intentional about your parenting practice.
Parenting practice is like yoga—it’s about mindfulness, effort, and growth. Being intentional means moving beyond “winging it” or reacting in frustration. Instead of saying, “Why would you do that?” or “Just stop,” you’ll learn to approach each situation with purpose and confidence.
If you’re ready to dive deeper into the 5 C’s Parenting Framework, I invite you to join the Amazing Parents Club by visiting drlindsayemmerson.com/club
