As parents, we often worry if we are good enough. If we are doing the right thing and how our actions affect our children. It’s natural to worry although you don’t want it taking over your life. If you are a parent, perhaps a relatively new one, the overwhelm can easily get the better of you. This can even lead to you not making the most of those precious early days. Exhaustion is a given, it’s hard being a parent. The truth is that being the best parent might not look like you think, or what the media portrays, and perhaps it’s time to give yourself a break and recognise that you are enough and doing your best. Let’s put it into perspective.
In this post, we will look at some of how you are probably already being an amazing parent. As long as you are doing your best, that’s enough and here’s some inspiration to feel that way, too.
STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS
One of the things you might find yourself doing quite naturally, which can get in the way of being a truly great parent, is comparing yourself to others. Not to mention comparing your child to other children. This can start early on. You might look at how your 9-month-old is progressing, and worry that they are not developing as fast as some of your friends’ kids. Then later on in their teenage years, this might have developed into a full-blown anxiety about your kids.
Likewise, you can feel that your own parenting is not as good as other people’s. This is the kind of thing that is going to be difficult to overcome once it sets in. Try and recognise it early on when it’s easier to deal with. Seek professional support if you feel it takes over. Stop comparing yourself to other people in general but especially other parents. Appreciate that everyone’s experience is unique, and you’ll find this frees you up to be the best parent you are able to be.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCT
Part of being a parent is allowing yourself to trust your instincts when appropriate. This is something that a lot of parents struggle with, especially those who feel that they need to do everything by the book as much as possible. If you are keen to try to be the best parent possible, then you might want to think about whether you are using your instinct well or not.
A lot of this comes down to following your gut and doing what you feel is right for your kids. You will make mistakes, we all do. but you’ll probably find that you can be a better parent this way on the whole, so it’s certainly something to think about.
And it just might be that you can become a wonderful parent just by doing this simple thing, so it’s absolutely something you will want to bear in mind.
MAKE HOME A HAPPY PLACE FOR ALL
As much as you can, you should aim to make a happy home for your children, so that you can all enjoy it as much as possible and be happy in one another’s company. This is something that is always going to make a huge difference to how much you are there for your kids. If you work on creating a home that you are all happy to be in, that is the kind of thing that can really make a world of difference. Give them a safe base to come home to. This will allow them to recharge and be able to handle what the world throws at them.
A home that offers shelter, love, food and warmth is one of the most important things a child can have, so you should make sure that you are offering this as best as you can. Fill your home with laughter!
PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
One of the main jobs you have as a parent is to provide emotional support whenever it’s needed. You might find that you do this quite naturally, and it’s one of those things that you will do as a parent without thinking about it too much. Make a conscious effort to be there for your children, through the little things as well as the big ones. Listen when they talk – even when it’s about insignificant things and they will come to you with big emotions and questions later on.
The more support you offer your children, the better, so be sure not to overlook this vital part of the process of parenting.
Hope you’ve found this helpful and always remember you are enough!
