Start Praising Yourself as a Parent

Start Praising Yourself as a Parent

Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world, yet it often feels like we don’t give ourselves enough credit. Instead of focusing on everything we are doing right, we tend to dwell on our mistakes, our worries, and the fear of not being “enough.”

We need to change that.

We need to start parenting from an abundance mindset instead of a limitation mindset. The more we focus on what we’re doing well, the more confident and empowered we’ll feel as parents. And the truth is—every single day, we have good parenting moments that deserve to be acknowledged.

Recognizing the Good Parenting Moments

This morning, my husband and I woke up late. That moment could have turned into chaos—frustration, yelling, stress—but instead, we took a breath, made a quick plan, and stuck to our regular routine. We kept calm, got the kids ready, and they still made it out the door on time.

Afterward, I sent my husband a quick message: That was good parenting.

I’ve decided to do this more often—whenever we successfully navigate a tough parenting moment, I’m going to acknowledge it. I’m going to praise us for showing up, staying calm, and figuring it out.

Looking Back: A Moment of Growth

I think back to when my mother-in-law passed away. We were all devastated, but my biggest concern was my youngest daughter, Mya. She and her grandmother were so close, and one day, we had to sit her down and explain that Grandma was in heaven.

She didn’t understand. She kept asking where heaven was, why she couldn’t visit, and when she would see her again. We had no idea if we were saying the right things. We were holding back tears, trying to comfort her while dealing with our own grief. It was heartbreaking.

But we did the best we could. We gave her a picture of her grandmother and told her that whenever she wanted to talk to her, she could. We reassured her that Grandma was still with her in spirit, even if she couldn’t see her.

At the time, we felt completely lost. We didn’t know if we were handling it “correctly” or if we were making things worse. But now, years later, I see Mya keeping that same picture on her desk. She talks to her grandmother, remembers her fondly, and finds comfort in the words we shared.

Looking back, I realize—that was good parenting.

Good Parenting Isn’t About Perfection

We often think that good parenting means always knowing what to do, always having the right answer, or never making mistakes. But that’s not true.

Good parenting is about being present. It’s about staying patient, trying our best, and figuring things out as we go. It’s about learning, growing, and showing up for our kids even when we feel uncertain.

So today, I challenge you: start recognizing your own good parenting moments.

Did you manage to stay patient when your child was having a meltdown?

Did you solve a tough situation with a little extra love and creativity?

Did you make a mistake, but learn from it and do better next time?

No matter how big or small, praise yourself for it.

Instead of waiting for someone else to validate us, let’s start validating ourselves. Let’s start saying: That was good parenting.

Because we deserve the praise.

Your Turn

Take a moment today and think about a parenting moment you handled well. Maybe it was something small, like staying calm during a hectic morning, or something big, like helping your child through a tough experience.

Whatever it is, own it. Celebrate it. Say to yourself: That was good parenting.

And if you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear about it. Send me a message at growthinstitute100@gmail.com—I’d love to celebrate with you!

Believe in yourself. Believe in your child. And always remember: growth is unlimited.

Love,
Sharita
Growth Coach | Behavior & Learning Strategist | Math & Literacy Tutor

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Join me this Saturday on Facebook Live!
📅 Event: Parents, It’s Time to Start Praising Ourselves!
📆 Date: Saturday, February 1st
⏰ Time: 9 PM EST