The other day I was scrolling through Pinterest searching for good content to share on my Facebook Page, when I noticed something. There are so many parenting posts out there that tell us what we are doing wrong as a parent.
We see titles like:
“Things NOT to Say to Your Kids” …oh man, I’ve said 5 of those things just today! or
“10 Discipline Don’ts”…what if I DO do some of those? and
“How NOT To Handle a Tantrum”. Ok so I suck because that’s exactly how I handle my kid’s tantrums.
“How Narcissistic Parents are Raising Terrible Kids” Really!?
For me, it makes me feel like a failure, or leaves me thinking that I’ll never be able to do it all the right way. But the truth is…I am an AWESOME Mom. And you know what? You are too :).
Parenting is so much easier when we can embrace our awesomeness.
[Tweet “Let’s forget about how we are all failing, and let’s chat about how awesome we are!”]
So, I asked my readers on Facebook and in the Stop Yelling Challenge to share with me how they are awesome parents. And man, did they come through! I loved the responses. I hope you do too.
Love
- I tell her how much she is loved multiple times a day, even when she’s mad, sad, or happy.
- I hug, listen, laugh and play. We are always doing different things…mainly cause I am selfish, I love seeing his reaction to new and exciting things!
- I love my kids so much it hurts!
- I let my children know they are loved probably more often than they care to hear.
- I give “sweet dreams” kisses at bedtime. I say I love you all the time and remind him that even if I’m mad at him, I still love him.
- As a single mom, my son and I are a team, an impenetrable team. Our bond with each other is awesome and he’s only two and a half.
- I hug and kiss them every day and read them bedtime stories.
- After time-outs I make sure they know I love them, no matter what.
- I was just told tonight by my two boys- “I love all the ideas you have Mummy!”
- I give lots of hugs and kisses and cuddles!!
- I give LOTS of hugs and snuggles EVERY DAY!
Play
- I don’t stop my two-year-old from pretending to be a lion, a dragon, or a dinosaur when we’re out in public. He may look silly to others, but in his imagination he’s fierce and huge!
- I try to say “yes” when my boys ask to do an activity. Usually brings smiles and adventures for all!
- I am okay with my girls getting messy and they choose their own clothes- so we often have a rather rumpled unkempt- “I like to play look” going on.
- I love letting my 2 year old and my 1 year old get dirty and messy from markers and paints! Imagination and creativity need to blossom!!!
- Sometimes, when I’m in a good place, I get into my kids’ world with them. It is such an amazing feeling for all of us!
Actions
- Today I ran across a busy parking lot while carrying a car seat full of a chunky baby and my other arm full of a 2 year old, with my purse and a shopping bag just to catch a runaway balloon. The two year old was so happy to have his balloon that even though I was sweating buckets when it was all done it was worth it. Today I got my awesome Mom award .
- I sent my wife on a girls trip to Europe and I’m watching our precious daughter with focused daddy daughter time.
- I slowed down a lot and am trying to be present in the moment. Watch all the bugs, straws and stones with him.
- Per the kids, I am awesome at planning vacations—and even it if all goes wrong when we are there still making it fun.
- I planned summer adventures with other moms so our kids will have fun stuff to do over summer vacation.
- I’m a new mom, he’s 3 months. I’m awesome because I breast feed him (the best and natural way to feed a baby). I shower him with love and affection. I change his poopy diapers and laugh when he pukes on me. And I go to him whenever his cries wakes me up at night..
- I take him hiking and exploring. We go to the library and read stories every night. And I am patient and compassionate with him 90% of the time.
- I respect my child and I offer her healthy food.
- No matter what time of night it is. I enjoy my late night snuggles with my little man. Who cares about sleep. I can nap during his nap time the next day.
Words
- I apologize to them when I screw up. I hope that I am teaching them that not being perfect is ok & that the important part is to keep trying to be better than we were yesterday.
- I give her one-on-one, undivided attention. I play and laugh. I tell her I’m sorry when I screw up. I let her make mistakes.
- I give my children my attention. I listen to what they have to say.
- I listen to my child and give him an opportunity to discuss / explore their feelings.
- Making sure I apologize when I’m wrong. It’s something I make a point of.
- I listen when she’s speaking. I ask her opinion. I value her emotions. I laugh with her as often as possible.
- I try to make sure I answer her EVERY time she says my name. Even if it’s 20 times in 1 minute.
Example
- I homeschool and work at home and my kids get to see me creating the life I want every day.
- I’m trying to be a positive role model by relentlessly chasing down my dreams rather than simply sitting back and wishing for them.
- I gave up a very satisfying professorship to raise these delightful imps. They drive me insane but I love that I am the one doing it, not a daycare.
- I have patience for days.
- I admit mistakes and try my hardest to constantly work on being a better person and therefore better parent. I forgive myself.
- I love encouraging my boys’ natural curiosity and being aware of their world
- I experiment with new ways to do things until I find the one that fits my kids best.
- I don’t budge, I stick to my convictions, and I’ve noticed that they notice that about me. I would not call myself awesome by a long shot. I just am hanging in there for the duration,they are awesome I at least owe them that.
- I am patient, give lots of ‘wait’ time and make sure my child feels safe, secure and loved.
- I reward positive behaviour and explain doing your best is all you can do and to learn from your mistakes and saying sorry is good.
- I recognize I don’t always know for sure what the right answer is and I’m constantly asking for advice. I may not always take it, but I like to hear different perspectives on the issue.
- I tell people up front that sometimes my kid’s wants come first and his needs ALWAYS come first. If I’m going to make someone uncomfortable or unhappy because his schedule conflicts, so be it.
- I do the best I can each and every day. I’m not perfect but my kiddies think I am and that’s all that matters to me.
Forget trying to do everything right, embrace your awesomeness, and just be the parent that your children need. Because, you my friend, are AWESOME, just the way you are.
More Posts For You:
- 3 Ways To Be Thankful For Your Spirited Child
- 6 Words That Changed My Life
- Simple Ways to Play With Kids
So tell me, how are YOU an Awesome Parent?
Great post!! I’m so glad you put this together. We DO need more posts about the great moments of parenting.
So many beautiful reasons each of us can be an awesome parent every day.
Thank you for that reminder! It’s so easy to get stuck in the thought of what I should have done…could have done with them that day. We all need reminded that we each are awesome in our own ways.