Parenting
An Unquestionable Compilation of All the Parents Who Outshine You
By Lila Harper
Updated: October 23, 2023
Originally Published: August 1, 2015
Hello, New Parents!
How are you holding up? Feeling a bit worn out? Perhaps a little less energetic these days, given those late-night feedings or the endless chase after a toddler who’s determined to give you gray hairs—playing with outlets, jumping down stairs, and refusing to eat those healthy antioxidant-rich snacks?
You might be grappling with feelings of being overwhelmed, as if you’re in over your head. It’s normal to have those moments filled with self-doubt and questions like, “What am I doing wrong?” How can this be? You excelled in calculus, you’re running a successful venture, and you might even drive a manual transmission.
Yet, when it comes to parenting, you can’t shake the feeling that if there were a parenting exam tomorrow, you’d barely scrape by with a C+. Maybe a B- if you downed a Trenta cold brew and a Red Bull beforehand.
Everyone else seems to handle it effortlessly, as if they have all the answers. It can feel like other parents are just plain better at this whole parenting gig than you. Let me save you the suspense:
They are better.
Other parents are indeed better in every way. They excel at disciplining their kids, motivating them, and ensuring their safety. Their children are bound to have more friends, lead fulfilling lives, and likely won’t require therapy. Their kids are destined for greatness—all because other parents outshine you in their parenting abilities.
I wish I had come to this realization sooner for my own kids. It took years of scouring parenting forums, reading books and articles, following blogs, and even downloading the “Why Other Parents Are Superior” app before I fully grasped how I would never quite measure up. It’s been a tough pill to swallow, coming to terms with the fact that, well, I’m a bit subpar.
So, to save you from the exhaustive journey I undertook to find ways to improve (which I probably won’t), here’s the ultimate list of all the parents who are undeniably better than I am.
In no specific order:
- Disciplinarians
- Chill Parents
- City Dwellers exposing their kids to culture
- Suburban Families with spacious backyards and quality schools
- Rural Parents teaching their kids responsibility through farm work
- Vaccinators
- Non-vaccinators
- Immaculate Housekeepers
- Germ-exposing Parents
- Breastfeeding Advocates
- Formula-feeding Supporters
- Faithful Parents
- Secular Parents
- Parents unsure of divine assistance in parenting
- Conservative Families
- Liberal Households
- Anarchist Parents
- Influential Figures in Parenting
- Free-Range Parents
- Kiddie Leash Employing Parents
- Organic Enthusiasts
- Tech-savvy Parents
- Unplugged Families
- Parents with more stringent cellphone policies
- Authoritarian Parents
- Authoritative Parents
- Optimistic Parents
- Permissive Parents
- Persuasive Parents
- Mary Poppins types
- Renowned Parenting Experts
- Child Development Gurus
- Influential Parenting Authors
- “I Love Ezzo” Supporters
- “I Hate Ezzo” Critics
- Younger Parents
- Older Parents
- Parents of Only Children
- Families with Two Kids
- Large Families
- Television Icons
This list could go on. It’s a challenge to cover every kind of parent out there, but you get the idea. You’re likely to feel like you don’t measure up.
But remember, even if you feel like your parenting style is mediocre, your unique approach is enough for your child. And honestly, you probably know more than you give yourself credit for—even if it feels otherwise.
Still, you probably will never reach the level of parenting expertise of Dr. Spock.
For those interested in home insemination, check out our post on the Cryobaby at Home Insemination Kit, which provides great insights into becoming a parent. If you’re looking for more information on recurrent implantation failure, this resource is helpful. Additionally, the Women’s Health site is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, while you may feel inadequate compared to other parents, take heart in knowing that every parent struggles and every child thrives in their own unique way. Embrace your journey, and remember that you are doing better than you think.