Parenting

Thursday, December 3, 2009

10 reasons you're a better parent than you think you are

We live in an advice-rich age and parenting experts are as ubiquitous as pictures of Angelina and her brood. While information is power, too much information can be debilitating.

When it comes to parenting, sometimes it's nice to remember that many of us, most of us even, know what is right for our kids, without cracking even one book.

Here are 10 reasons you are a better parent than you think you are:


1. You are the best mommy or daddy in the world for your child
- Regardless of what the experts or anyone else says, in your child's eyes you are their one and only. If you can live up to that kind of love and acceptance, you'll be happier for it.

2. You trust your gut - Most of us try not to get too worried or upset by the proliferation of news stories about lead-poisoned toys or tragic stories of kidnapped children, but it's not very easy. When push comes to shove, your gut can be your guide. If you feel more than a tingle of doubt, you'll do the right thing by your child. You're wired that way.

3. You give the best love you know how to give - Love isn't perfect or always kind, but you want to be a good parent and you try every day to be the best parent you know how to be.

4. You feed them every day- Not always meals with enough vegetables or fruit, but you feed them, and you worry about their health.  And that makes you a good parent.

5. You smile at them, beam even, and they make you proud - When you smile at your child (and you know you do, often) you are transmitting your love and tenderness. Kids are sponges and they feel every iota of that sweetness.

6. You teach them about wonderful things -- You fill their heads with the wishes of childhood -- Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and other wonderful creatures. Even if they don't believe you, their eyes light up with the spark of imagination.

7. You love them unconditionally, even when you don't like them very much - Most kids know that you love them no matter what. Even when they have tantrums in the grocery store and hit their sister or brother and refuse to eat their dinner. Even then you love them deeply.

8. You comfort them when they're scared - Monsters, bad dreams, and things that go bump in the night hold no power over the comfort of your arms and your murmured reassurance.

9. You want your child to be happy - Almost more than anything else, you want to see evidence that your child is happy, well-adjusted, and secure. You want this for them more than you want it for yourself.

10. You are their one true love - For so many years, you are your child's sun, moon, and stars. You are the keeper of their small open hearts, their only one. This essential truth, when fully appreciated, makes parenting the most fulfilling thing you'll ever do.

Pat yourself on the back, mama and papa. You're doing a great job!!

More posts by this author:

10 Relaxing Activities for You (and Your Kids)

10 Things Kids Don't Mind (that Adults Try to Avoid)
Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 31-38 of 38
  • lil_momma's Avatar
    Posted by lil_momma Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:04am PDT

    Thank you very much...

    Report Abuse
  • Barbara's Avatar
    Posted by Barbara Mon Sep 8, 2008 7:52am PDT

    I teared up reading this. What a great message for all parents to hear. I passed this along to my daughter's therapist to share with the parents she sees. I know for a fact there are a lot who will benefit from the boost this gives. Thank you for putting into words the things as parents we sometimes forget or question. This will become a permanent part of my refrigerator. And when my daughter has children you can bet that I will give her a copy of her own.

    Report Abuse
  • Mrs. C's Avatar
    Posted by Mrs. C Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:22am PST

    I feel so much better....I often doubt myself sometimes, even though I try to do my best.

    Thanks honey...I needed this!

    Report Abuse
  • Beth's Avatar
    Posted by Beth Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:27am PST

    This worked for me, whose sons are grown, and I'm sure it is a comfort to all of those whose kids are young and often driving them crazy. We love our children beyond anything, but I think we all nick-pick at our shortcomings instead of having confidence in the instinctive love between parent and child our natural parental instincts. We all could do things better I'm sure, but just as we realize our children are fallible human beings, so are we. We all just do the best that we can at the moment. Love is the most important thing of all.

    Report Abuse
  • DougB's Avatar
    Posted by DougB Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:38am PST

    Am I the only man who found this article wonderful.

    It really did make me feel better.

    I love my boy sooooo much he is the center of my world, and now I feel like im doing a good job!

    Report Abuse
  • Heather's Avatar
    Posted by Heather Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:20pm PST

    I'm sorry.. it's just not true. there are many parents who's "gut" tells them to beat their children and does that make them the best mommy or daddy in the world? This suggests that everyone is a good parent. They're not.. there are some not great parents, some bad parents, some horrible parents, and some disgusting parents out there.

    Report Abuse
  • Halimah's Avatar
    Posted by Halimah Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:56am PST

    Excellent article, I felt so good after reading this!

    Report Abuse
  • Stuknabook's Avatar
    Posted by Stuknabook Wed May 13, 2009 6:52am PDT

    Wow, I never thought of it that way. Thanks, I really needed that!

    Report Abuse
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