Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The imperfect parent is what I am and despite feeling guilty at times I have learned to accept that there is no such thing as the perfect mother, I mean it’s not as if there is such a thing as a perfect anyway is there? With so many rules and regulations to follow is it any wonder that so many mothers find themselves feeling they are failing as a parent?
Are You an Imperfect Parent?
Are you a mother who scores top marks when it comes to raising your children? Are your little diamonds the absolute angels that never make you want to yank your roots out of your hair at times? Do you thrive from lack of sleep and never suffer headaches from constant whining?
Yea get real!
Parenting is hard; it challenges the most patient human being. I am forever feeling I am not doing it right, my kids refuse to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day, they never go to bed at the same time each night and despite how many rules and boundaries we have they always seem to find some loop hoop.
I have tried in vain to follow the rules, get rid of the bottle and dummy before the age of 2, but that meant no sleep, so I choose to keep them for longer.
Installing a bedtime routine was a great concept, except with 6 of them to fit into it, it became more of a challenge to keep to the nightly routine than it was just putting them all to bed and praying they would stay there for the night.
I have tried to always get down to my child’s level and give them eye to eye contact while trying to explain in a firm yet calm manner, why they must not draw in bright orange crayon all over our freshly painted cream walls, but the horror of the scribbles will always make me shout first.
I am far from perfect when it comes to parenting, but I always try my best. I think we all are great at thinking we are doing it right but to be honest is there ever a right way to parent?
Tell me what you think? Is being an imperfect parent the best we can aim to be?
About The Real Supermum
But is it imperfect parenting? To you it might be but to others they might look at it as being perfect. I don’t think there is a right way to parent. It is different for every parent as they all have there own rules and ways. As long as they are well looked after, got clothes on there back and loved then what is the problem in not taking a bottle away at the ‘right’ age (if that even exists) xx
Im definately imperfect.
When my first one was born i think i got most of it right, then my second one put all my routines up in the air, the third one took one look at the routines and laughed like chucky, and the fourth and fifth i just abandoned all hope. I think the best i can hope for is organised chaos, and ive made my peace with that. No my kids dont eat five loads of fruit but they do eat yoghurts and they have fruit right?
I figure if they are all eating then thats enough for me. They can deal with their rickets or scurvy when they are older while i sit there and say if you had eaten your broccoli ….
I dont raise my kids so much as curse supernanny for being fluppin perfect whilst dragging mine up.
Im a very imperfect parent. especially over the last few weeks. ive screamed and shouted at him and yes he has had a tap on the bum.
but im proud to be an imperfect parent cause anyone who says otherwise is bloody lying.
i had a conversation via fb with someone on my friends list who has fully admitted, and she wasnt ashamed to do so, that she did find herself wishing she never had her kids at times. i know we all have. although we would not give them up for the world. we all find ourselves thinking like that when things are paticularly bad xx
this is so right! there is nothing that drives me more crazy than mums that pretend they’re perfect mother earth. there really is no such thing. at least be honest about your shortcomigs x
This post is so right! There is nothing that drives me more crazy than mothers who try and pretend like they’re perfect mother earth types. At least if you can be honest and upfront about your shortcomings as a parent you have insight. That is much more important and sustainable than perfection.
I’m the imperfect parent too. My lb isn’t the same each day so he doesn’t fit in to the little box with all the rules etc. as long as he’s loved cared for and happy I will be happy no mater how imperfect I am. If we were all perfect wouldn’t the world be a very boring uninterestng place?
There is no such thing as perfect. we all just do the best we can, and if we keep pushing ourselves to do better we will just end up stupidly stressed out, depressed and upset. so just keep doing what your doing. who cares what so and so down the road thinks. you are happy and your kids are happy. thats all that matters x
No parent is perfect nor should we aim to be either. Live and love! Every child is different, guidelines are there to help but sod them they go through the window a lot of the time. Always do whats best for you and your child(ren). As long as you’re all happy and healthy sod anyone else and sod any rules! I try my best with it all but nobody is perfect and those who say they are are liars. If I do something wrong so be it, I learn from it and move on. A happy child makes a happy parent!!
Theres no such thing as a perfect parent. Simply becausr perfect doesnt exist. The majority if us are brilliant parents though and thats what we should aim for.
Kids WILL push us an try and break us, how else will they learn boundries?
I’m definitely imperfect but like you and many other mums have said .. you will never get a perfect mum and all we can do is try our best. I know for a fact I’m not and my lil girls only 14 months, I’ve not had to fight to get several into bed at once, I’ve not had to discipline her yet enough to the degree she needs the naughty step or some other way of punishment. x
I am a very imperfect parent I think, I get very stressed out and sometimes I want to cry, but then I’m proud of myself for just getting on with it! xx
Hi,
You are absolutely right. Parenting isn’t easy and every child is different. The best thing you can do for your baby is to get the advice when you need it, take it on board and do what works for you. Your children are obviously loved, looked after, fed, watered, cleaned and told the difference between right and wrong. You are obviously doing your best. What more can you do? Striving for perfection will only be a distraction to your natural parenting skills.
If I get through each day and I’m not in the loony bin and my house is still standing then it’s all gravy. The “rule book” got thrown out on day one
there is no such thing as a perfect parent, we all have floors n stumble n fall but thats wat parenting is about, u learn everyday ….. i’m far from a perfect parent n if anyone says there perfect they r lieing out there bum hole lol xx
Perfectly Imperfect and PROUD as hell of it
theres no such thing as perfect and anyone claiming to be needs to give their head a wobble 
I think, as long as you’re doing the best you can then you’re being the perfect parent x
Im an imperfect parent but i do my best
I dont believe you can be a ‘perfect’ parent. Babies dont come with an instruction manual, youve just gotta write your own as you go 
x
Love is what matters more than anything else, coffee, chocolate and painkillers can also make life easier x
hands up from me .. my guilty things are loosing my temper and letting them watch too much telly
There is no such thing as a perfect parent everyone try’s there best that’s all that matters x