Appreciating Yourself as a Parent: The Love You Deserve, Too
Parenting is one of the most rewarding journeys — but also one of the most selfless. It’s waking up early and staying up late. It’s packing lunches while answering questions, calming tantrums while cooking dinner, and loving through every chaos-filled moment.
But in between the school runs, laundry piles, and bedtime stories, there’s someone who often gets overlooked: you.
As parents, we give endlessly. We celebrate our children’s wins, comfort them in their losses, and guide them with everything we’ve got. Yet how often do we pause and celebrate ourselves — for the patience we showed when we were exhausted, for the strength we found in the hard moments, or for simply showing up, day after day?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of guilt — feeling like we’re not doing enough. But the truth is: if you are trying, loving, and learning, you are doing more than enough.
When you appreciate yourself, you’re not just building your own confidence — you’re modelling something powerful for your children. You’re teaching them that:
- It’s okay to feel proud of yourself.
- Self-worth isn’t selfish.
- Rest, reflection, and growth are vital.
Parenting doesn’t come with a perfect script, but your love, effort, and presence speak louder than perfection.
Ways to Appreciate Yourself
- Celebrate the small wins: Got through the day without losing your patience? Managed a meltdown with calm? That’s worthy of recognition.
- Talk to yourself kindly: Would you say that harsh comment to a friend? Then don’t say it to yourself.
- Take time for you: Whether it’s five quiet minutes with a coffee or a walk alone — it’s not indulgent, it’s necessary.
- Reflect on how far you’ve come: You’ve grown as a parent just as much as your child has grown under your care.
- Remember: your best is enough. And some days, your “best” will just be keeping everyone fed and alive. That counts, too.
Your child doesn’t need a perfect parent. They need a real one — who laughs, cries, tries again, and shows what it means to be human. So today, take a deep breath and give yourself some credit. You’re doing an incredible job — and you deserve to feel proud of that.
You are seen. You are valued. And you are more than enough.