You Are Still A Good Parent On Those Messy Days But You Have To Stop Doing This!!

As parents, we all have those days where it feels like nothing we do is good enough. One minute, your child is giving you a sweet drawing that says “I love you,” and the next, they’re yelling about how unfair and “mean” you are because you asked them to tidy their room. It can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions, and sometimes, it’s easy to start questioning yourself: Am I doing this right?

The truth is, parenting is hard – and if you’re relying on your kids to validate you, you’ll be left spinning. They’re still learning to handle their emotions, and they don’t always have the tools to express their frustration calmly (I feel like I’m still learning this one myself sometimes). One minute you’re the best, and the next, you’re public enemy number one. That’s just the nature of raising little humans who are still figuring out how to manage big feelings.

But here’s the key: your worth as a parent doesn’t depend on how your child reacts to you.

You are still a good parent on those messy days too.

Why You Need to Validate Yourself as a Parent

Those moments when your child says “I love you” or snuggles in close are beautiful, but they don’t define your ability as a parent. You are still a good parent when your child is melting down, yelling, or telling you that you’re the worst. In fact, those moments are often when your parenting skills are tested the most. It’s easy to feel good when everything is going smoothly; it’s much harder when things fall apart.

So, how do we navigate this emotional whirlwind and remind ourselves that we’re doing the best we can?

This is where yoga comes in.

How Yoga Can Help You Find Grounding as a Parent

Yoga teaches us to find stillness and grounding even when the world around us feels chaotic. It’s not about perfect poses or having it all figured out – it’s about finding peace in the middle of the storm. As a parent, this lesson is essential.

Here are some ways yoga can help you validate yourself as a parent:

1. Self-Awareness and Acceptance

Yoga encourages us to accept where we are in the moment. Some days, we’re strong and steady in our practice, and other days, we’re shaky and off-balance. The same goes for parenting. There will be days where you feel like you’ve got everything under control, and days where you feel like nothing is going right. Self-compassion is key. Just like in yoga, we need to accept that we won’t always be perfect parents – and that’s okay.

2. Breathing Through the Chaos

When kids are testing your patience, it’s easy to get caught up in their emotions. Yoga teaches us the power of the breath to bring calm and clarity in stressful situations. The next time your child is throwing a tantrum or saying hurtful things, try to pause and take a few deep breaths. This simple act can help you stay grounded and prevent you from reacting emotionally.

3. Letting Go of Control

One of the hardest parts of parenting is accepting that we can’t control everything – especially our children’s emotions. Yoga reminds us that we can’t control external circumstances, but we can control how we respond. Letting go of the need for everything to go perfectly and embracing the messy reality of parenting allows you to focus on what really matters – showing up for your kids with love and patience.

4. Embracing Imperfection

In yoga, there’s no such thing as “perfect” – only progress. The same goes for parenting. You’ll make mistakes, and that’s part of the journey. But each moment is an opportunity to learn, grow, and do better. Yoga teaches us to embrace our imperfections and approach challenges with curiosity, not judgment. When you stop expecting perfection, you free yourself to just be the parent your child needs, mistakes and all.

5. Finding Balance

In yoga, we constantly seek balance between effort and ease. Parenting is much the same – a dance between giving your all and knowing when to step back and take care of yourself. Finding this balance is essential for your mental well-being. Yoga teaches us that it’s not selfish to care for ourselves; in fact, it’s necessary to show up fully for our children.

You Are Enough – Even on the Hard Days

The next time you find yourself doubting your worth as a parent, remind yourself that it’s not about being perfect. Your kids will test you, they’ll push boundaries, and sometimes they’ll say hurtful things. But that doesn’t mean you’re not doing an amazing job.

When things get tough, turn to your breath, find stillness, and validate yourself. You are doing the best you can, and that’s enough. Remember that parenting, like yoga, is a lifelong practice. Some days you’ll feel like you’ve nailed it, and other days you’ll struggle – and that’s all part of the journey.

Parenting is challenging, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking validation from your kids. But the real strength comes from within. Use yoga to ground yourself, breathe through the chaos, and find the peace in knowing that you are enough – just as you are.

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and know that you’ve got this. You’re a great parent, even when it feels like the world is against you.

You’ve already shown up, and that’s what matters most.

So remember you are a good parent even on those messy days, you just need to stop relying on your kids to validate that.

I am thinking of either doing a recorded meditation for parents or maybe an online class? Let me know if this would be of interest to you by commenting below.

Feel free to share with another parent who may need to hear this 💛

Upcoming Masterclass

In this workshop, you’ll discover how to guide children into one of the most challenging yet vital yoga poses—Savasana. Often underestimated, Savasana helps kids (and adults) transition from movement to stillness, teaching them how to calm their bodies and minds.

https://familyyoga.ck.page/products/savasana?promo=EARLYBIRD

Leave a comment

3 Cosy December Family Practices

December starts tomorrow and I feel like November was just this blur…it went by so quick. I went from feeling super prepared to feeling like everything was on top of me and I started getting really overwhelmed. Every time I made time to step onto my mat and do my self-care practices, I could feel…

Is it actually okay not be okay?

I’ve been sitting with something big the last few days and I realised a hidden belief I had for myself….. That it’s actually not okay to not be okay….. weird after sharing “It’s okay not to be okay.” for so long. But I realised that not being okay has usually equalled rejection and abonnement for…