We have all seen the Instagram model mums with their perfectly dressed, well-behaved doe-eyed kids and their clean and tidy homes. Looking at those beautiful pictures can make many frizzy-haired, sleep-deprived, coffee-addled parents wonder: what am I doing wrong?

There are lots of theories, but no one theory about parenting is the perfect solution. That is why it’s okay to ask for help.

“Before I got married I had six theories about raising children; now, I have six children and no theories.”

John Wilmot

Parenting Can Be Tough

Let us be honest: parenting is hard. And parenting has changed. Our parents have unlearned patterns of nonfunctional behaviour to become better providers and listeners. We may have renounced troublesome traits and behaviours we saw in our parents to become more emotionally mature, proactive parents.

You are A New Parent

For the first time mums and dads, parenting is as scary as it is miraculous. There are so many things to manage and control at the same time, and plenty of things that can go wrong in the blink of an eye.

From babyproofing to washing, cleaning, and crying (you and the baby) to struggling to be in sync with the baby’s routine, there is so much on your plate. It is easy to miss something out.

Seek the help of other new parents, or experienced ones, when you are unsure of what to do. Exchange notes with them and ask them for advice.

Do not worry; every parent has been in the same boat.

Sometimes, becoming a parent is doubly difficult because you have no idea what it is like to have a parent. Some parents are working too hard or too far away; others are too caught up in their own lives to be available to their kids. Some children do not even get to meet their parents.

It is okay if you do not have a blueprint on being a good parent to your child. You can start over and make one yourself. Shun the voices, both internal and external, that tell you are not good enough.

You are good enough; you can and will be a great parent.

Everyone Else Seems to Be Great at It

Have you ever met a mum who looked like a catalogue model as she came out of labour, while you spent most of your pregnancy with your head down a toilet bowl? Or a mum who shed all her baby weight within the first few months of having her kid?

It is easy to feel shortchanged in such a situation. But remember, not everyone is having an incredible time as they seem to be.

As a wise old lady once said, ‘Little kid, little problems. Big kids, bigger problems.’

Overall, you need to trust your gut about this. Nobody can be a better parent to your child than you. It is okay to feel overwhelmed; sometimes, we all do.

The important thing is never to give up.

Tiny Terrors can devise innovative tools and strategies to instill positive behaviour in your child. We can help you with in-home parenting and behaviour support for your child. Call us on 1300 001 414 for more information or to schedule a meeting.