Let’s talk about good parenting. Not the picture-perfect kind with bento boxes and handmade sensory trays at 7am, but the real kind. The kind where your toddler eats toast off the floor while you try to remember the last time you showered.
There’s so much pressure to get it right, but good parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection, consistency, and sometimes just surviving the day. So let’s bust some myths . because if you’re even thinking about whether you’re doing a good job, you probably are.
Myth #1: Good parents have to entertain their children all day
There’s this pressure to be a full-time playmate, constantly coming up with educational crafts and scavenger hunts. But real talk? Kids don’t need you to be their personal entertainer.
Independent play is a skill, and it’s one worth nurturing. My daughter can now spend ages building elaborate stories with her magnetic tiles, and my son is happiest banging stacking cups together like he’s in a baby rock band. Neither of them needs me to be on all the time, and that’s not lazy, It’s actually healthy, for both of us.
Try having out a few open-ended toys, like a toy kitchen or wooden animal set, and give your child space to explore. You’ll be surprised at how creative they get when they’re not being constantly directed.
Myth #2: Setting boundaries means you’re being harsh
This one comes up a lot, and I get why it causes confusion. Gentle parenting doesn’t mean saying yes to everything and letting your child turn the dining table into a climbing frame.
I’ve spent years working in early years education, and I can tell you that clear boundaries are a cornerstone of good parenting. It’s not about punishment or control, it’s about creating a secure environment where your child knows what to expect.
When my one year old flings his food across the room (which he does with great enthusiasm), I don’t just laugh it off. We clean it up together, and I explain why we don’t do it. It’s gentle and firm, and that balance is what helps children feel safe.
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Myth #3: You have to spend a lot to be a good parent
Let’s be honest, the cost of baby classes, toddler groups, and soft play adds up fast, especially when you’re already running on one coffee and no sleep.
But you don’t need to spend loads to create meaningful moments. Some of our best play sessions have involved foil blankets spread on the floor, silicone suction placemats turned into sensory mats, or a laundry basket turned into a rocket ship.
Even our bath toys are mostly repurposed measuring cups and stacking beakers that double up for water play. Kids don’t care about price tags, they care about time, space, and the freedom to explore.
Myth #4: Children should never be bored
Boredom gets a bad rap, but it’s actually one of childhood’s best-kept secrets.
Boredom breeds creativity. I once watched my daughter turn a cardboard box into a fairy café, complete with leaves for menus and her baby brother as an unimpressed customer. These moments come because of boredom, not despite it.
If you feel guilty when your child says “I’m bored,” try not to rush in and fix it. Give them a few basic materials, like play silks, peg dolls, or even a blanket over a table, and let them lead the way.
Myth #5: Social media reflects real life
Let’s be honest, social media doesn’t always tell the whole story.
What you don’t see is the biscuit meltdown five minutes before or the laundry pile just out of frame. Comparing your full day to someone else’s highlight reel is a recipe for self-doubt.
Good parenting isn’t filtered. It’s messy, it’s loud, and sometimes it includes fish fingers for dinner two nights in a row. And that’s okay.
Myth #6: Screen time means you’ve failed
I used to beat myself up over screen time, but then I realised that it’s not screens that are the problem, it’s how we use them.
There are days when I need 20 minutes to cook, shower, or drink tea without having a toddler in my armpit, on those days, a bit of TV isn’t ruining anyone’s development. What matters is balance.
We’ve found a lovely middle ground with the Toniebox. It’s screen-free, easy to use, and my daughter loves listening to her stories while winding down. There’s even a brilliant tooth brushing song that makes bedtime routines less of a battle and more of a giggle.
Screens, when used thoughtfully are ok!
Read more about Screen Time, Finding The Right Balance Without The Guilt
Myth #7: Good parenting means always being calm and patient
Look, I teach this stuff. I’ve lectured in child development. And still, I’ve had moments where I’ve snapped, said “Because I said so,” and definitely didn’t sound like the calm mum I try to be.
You are not a robot. You’re a parent. And parenting is hard.
The goal isn’t to never get frustrated. It’s to repair, to apologise when needed, and to model how to regulate emotions over time. That’s what helps our kids learn how to manage their own feelings.
I’m not proud of every moment, but I’m proud that my children know I’m human, and that we can always reconnect.
Myth #8: You need to follow all the “rules” to do it right
Baby-led weaning, Montessori shelves, Wake Windows, Screen-free everything. Reusable nappies. The list goes on.
With my daughter, we did full baby-led weaning, she loved picking up bits of food and feeding herself. With my son? Not so much. He sits there like a little emperor waiting to be spoon-fed, and honestly, that works for him.
Good parenting isn’t about following a checklist. It’s about tuning into your child, their needs, and your reality. It’s okay to adjust. It’s okay to mix and match. And it’s okay to do what works for your family, not someone else’s grid.
Final Thoughts
If you’re loving your child, showing up (even when you’re tired), setting boundaries, and learning as you go, you are doing good parenting.
Not perfect parenting. Not picture-perfect parenting. Just real, grounded, good parenting.
And in case no one’s told you today, that is more than enough.
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