There Are No Perfect Parents

A Great Idea …

“It is not the parent who seems to do it all perfectly who is to be admired. It is the one who recognizes his or her own failings and is willing to keep growing.” (Professor of Family Life, Dr. H. Wallace Goddard, in his book, Soft-Spoken Parenting, p. 191)

In Other Words …

Sometimes we look at parents we know and think they “have it all together” while we fumble along making far too many mistakes. It’s likely that those “perfect” parents are wallpapering over their reality. Parenting is filled with many challenges and mistakes. The best we can do is learn from our mistakes and keep getting better.

How This Applies to You …

The next time you feel inadequate as a parent, don’t make excuses and don’t collapse in despair. Consider what you will do differently the next time you’re in a similar situation.

To Find Out More …

For more great ideas, visit our Navigating Life’s Journey blog.

For an excellent (and free!) program on parenting, see The Parenting Journey at www.arfamilies.org and, if you have children less than 6 years of age, check out See the World Through My Eyes.

For more in depth reading on parenting, we recommend Soft-Spoken Parenting by H. Wallace Goddard or The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting by Laurence Steinberg.

Author: H. Wallace Goddard

Wally Goddard is a retired professor of Family Life having served in Arkansas and Alabama. He developed programs on personal well-being, marriage, and parenting. He is well known for his many creative family programs, including The Marriage Garden, The Parenting Journey, and Blueprint for Happiness. Wally has authored or co-authored several books including Between Parent and Child, The Soft-Spoken Parent, and Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage. He has been recognized by his colleagues with several awards including the Outstanding Family Life Educator Award. Wally and his wife, Nancy, have three adult children, fourteen grandchildren, and have cared for many foster children over the years. Wally describes Nancy as the finest human being he has ever known. View all posts by H. Wallace Goddard