Parenting can be a rollercoaster, and my style? Well, I’ve dubbed it ‘Do Your Best and Embrace the Guilt.’ It’s a concept that sounded great in theory before I actually became a parent. Pre-kids, I envisioned myself as the steadfast mom, completely unfazed by the tears and tantrums. Fast forward to reality, and I’ve found myself crumbling at the first whimper from my little one. The moment I let my infant cry for just a few minutes felt like a monumental failure, leading me to scoop him up and whisper endless apologies.
I used to envy friends who could get their kids to bed before prime-time television, leaving them with precious hours of free time. I always thought they had it all figured out while I was floundering. Exhausted and bleary-eyed, I’d listen to their tales of “nap schedules” with a mix of exhaustion and incredulity. Those early parenting days often left me feeling like a punchline in a cruel joke, as every story of a well-rested child felt like salt in my sleep-deprived wounds.
Attempting to make homemade baby food for my first child was another venture that quickly went awry. Sure, he’d gobble it up fresh, but once it hit the freezer, it was a no-go. With work consuming my time, the dreams of pureed perfection faded, and I found myself nodding along when other mothers condemned fruit pouches as “junk food.”
My kids are up running around until 9:30 or even 10:00 PM, thriving on a diet that includes everything from spaghetti to hot dogs. School lunches? Never made one that looked cute. I don’t volunteer at preschool, and those little art projects? They end up in the recycling pretty quickly. My four-year-old is a pro at navigating my phone’s wi-fi and can recite the theme songs of every Nick Jr. show, while my two-year-old casually drops phrases like “no way” and “Jesus Christ!”
But here’s the kicker: I’m doing my best. My “best” might look like someone else’s worst, but you know what? That’s perfectly fine. For years, I felt like I was just going through the motions, watching my ideal parenting plans slip away while I compared myself to others and felt inadequate. But my kids are happy and loved.
It took me four long years to truly embrace my parenting philosophy: ‘Do Your Best and Embrace the Guilt.’ I’ve come to realize that I don’t need to feel guilty. Sure, there are areas where I could improve—like pushing for more adventurous meals or finally organizing that baby book—but when I look in the mirror and ask, “Am I a good parent?” I answer with a resounding Yes.
At the end of the day, that affirmation is what truly matters.
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In summary, my parenting approach is all about doing the best I can while letting go of the guilt that often accompanies parenting. Happiness and love for my kids are what count the most.
Keyphrase: parenting style
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