Today is National Parents’ Day, a day to recognize, uplift and support the role of parents who are parenting great kids of all ages and stages. Whether you are a new parent, a grandparent or parenting through the turbulent adolescent years, I hope you feel supported and celebrated today.
I consider every day an opportunity to recognize and uplift parents, but since today is National Parents’ Day, I wanted to officially applaud you, parents. You are doing a great job. It might not feel like it today, but trust me, you are.
Something I often say is that parenting should be simple. If you get the big things right, the rest will fall into place. Don’t worry about being the perfect parent. Focus on loving your child and being present with him. If you do that, you will raise not only a great kid but a kid who will become a great adult someday.
Focus on loving your child and being present with him. If you do that, you will raise not only a great kid but a kid who will become a great adult someday.
On this Parents’ Day, give yourself a break and remember these two important things:
Get the big stuff right.
Don’t let social media and comparison trick you into caring too much about the little things. Where your child goes to kindergarten, what types of activities she will be involved in, how perfect her third birthday party will be—these are not big things, these are small things.
Social media will convince you that you are not being a good parent if your life does not look like a perfect photo on Instagram. But parents, this is a trap, and it will distract you from what really matters. What your child actually needs from you is not the perfect craft activity or the perfect homemade, organic cookies. He needs your love and your attention and he needs to know that you love him. If you show him this and tell him this, you have done your job.