Relax - You are only human! (When parenting goes wrong)

“When you fell out of your stroller (and I didn’t even realise it), I was HORRIFIED! I remember picking you up and holding you tight, sobbing at the thought of what could have been. You, on the other hand, were totally un-phased! I was trying to be a good mum by reversing the stroller (thus pulling you behind me – downhill) to avoid the sun getting in your eyes. Strollers weren’t high tech as they are now – not even a harness!” – Author’s mother

The above anecdote is an example of how despite a parent’s best efforts to ensure their child’s safety and general well-being, things do and inevitably will go wrong at times. Whether you feel like you have ‘failed’ as a parent due to unforeseen circumstances, oversights or angry response to your child’s behaviour, this belief can leave you feeling defeated and questioning your ability to raise a young human effectively. Undoubtedly, most parents have experienced these emotions and have berated themselves for not being the perfect parent they long to be.

No doubt you wish for your child to love you unconditionally. Yelling at them when they have misbehaved or spoken in an inappropriate manner is not going to result in them resenting you. Sure, they may seem to dislike you in the short-term but an apology and a soothing hug go a long way. Typically, you will both forget the negative interaction in the wink of an eye. It is absolutely normal for a parent to get cranky, impatient, angry and frustrated with their child due to long working hours, lack of sleep, stress and so forth. Whilst your state of being should not be the reason for responding to your child in a way that only exacerbates the situation, saying sorry for your reaction to their behaviour (or in some cases, lashing out on them for no warranted reason) and explaining the cause of it is imperative in helping them to believe that they are not a terrible person being and that you are ‘only human’ and care for them deeply. Furthermore, displaying self-awareness can help your child to understand that recognising one’s own weaknesses (and strengths) is a part of life that assists in nurturing relationships.

There is much discourse around being less hard on kids. It’s time that parents were less hard on themselves. Focusing on what you have done successfully to raise a child with positive attributes, noticing the positive moments you have with them on a daily basis, being present as often as you can, and communicating with your child is paramount to not falling into the trap of feeling like a failure of a parent every time you’re not what you consider to be a perfect one. ‘Losing it’ is a normal aspect of parenting and any altercations that you have with your child that are not ideal can be a learning opportunity for the two of you. Looking after yourself as well as your family is necessary in order to create a harmonious life. If you’re stressed, take some much-deserved time-out for yourself. A burnt-out mummy or daddy will not be in a good position to act calmly when things ‘go wrong’. A little bit of self-care goes a long way. Breathe and believe that overall, you are doing a wonderful job.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Blog

Two women are sitting at a table having a conversation.

How AI is transforming candidate selection!

By Justine Murray • March 1, 2025

Revolutionising Household Staffing Recruitment

The dedicated nanny skillfully balanced fun and learning, creating a nurturing environment.

What is a postnatal maternity nurse? -Why one is an investment in your family.

By Justine Murray • February 28, 2025

Having a newborn baby, especially your first, is a wonderful and exciting time, but can also be an overwhelming time, filled with new responsibilities and challenges. The first few months can leave you feeling exhausted, emotional, and very stressed with the new routine, changes to your body and your baby. Breastfeeding can be a big part of the stress during this time. But there are many ways to get help with this. A great option is to hire a Maternity Nurse to help you with breastfeeding, relieving some of the stress and creating a positive experience. So how does hiring a Maternity Nurse help with breastfeeding? How do they help? A Maternity Nurse is a postnatal specialist and carer. Their expertise covers all elements of newborns, babies, and new mothers. They particulary skilled and experienced in newborn care and in supporting, teaching and ensuring are left feeling confident in their journey as new parents. A encouraging source of knowledge. Helping so many mothers through those first amazing days, weeks and months, of the journey of being a parent, hiring a Maternity Nurse is an investment in your family , definitely worth making. They will work with you to establish a routine regarding breastfeeding and work out a way how that can fit in with you, and your baby. Having someone there to make a structured plan will help you to relax more, focus on the tasks at hand knowing that you are on the right path, and that your Maternity Nurse is making sure everything is going to plan and adjust where needs be! Breast feeding Skills Breastfeeding is a skill, and it can be extremely challenging. Not all mothers adapt naturally, and in some cases may not be able to breastfeed at all, or for as long as they initially thought. It can be painful, stressful, and very difficult to commit to. This is one of the main issues your Maternity Nurse will help you with. They can show you all of the right and most comfortable, breastfeeding skills and techniques. Rather than having to struggle through it yourself, by hiring a Maternity Nurse they will give you all the tips and tricks. They will observe and make adjustments if needed, to ensure your baby is getting enough milk throughout the process. When the time comes for your Maternity Nurse to leave, you will have established a breastfeeding routine and obtained all the skills and confidence needed to keep you and your baby happy and healthy! General Support Hiring a Maternity Nurse will give you so much more than just help with breastfeeding though! They are there to support you with anything you can think of regarding your new-born. They will teach you the essentials of childcare, help you recover from birth and give you the confidence to take care of the baby yourself. Your Maternity Nurse will often be hired for approximately 12 weeks on a 12/7 or 24/7 basis. Meaning they can also cover night shifts – so that they are always there if needed during those first crucial weeks and months! Maternity Nurses come with all the suitable training and qualifications. From how to breast and bottle feed, sleep, bathing, routine and comfort techniques etc. More highly qualified Maternity Nurses can behold advanced knowledge in complex feeding issues, gut health, and birthing and may also have osteopathic, obstetric, and psychological knowledge, such as how to deal with and support postnatal depression. How can the Australian Nanny Agency Help? Australian Nanny Agency work with families all over the world, finding the most suitable Maternity Nurses for them and for their situation. Australian Nanny Agency have a wide variety of amazing Maternity Nurses on their books ready to help you and your new family. Whether this is for a couple of days or several months, we can find the right person for you. To find out more about what options work best for you do contact us here now and we look forward to speak to you!