10 Things Parents Are Insecure About

Last weekend, I spent three glorious days with two amazing friends. We called it a writing retreat, but it ended up being heavy on inspiration and light on writing. 🙂 And all was right in the world.

We hiked, jogged, explored, slept, ate, and—best of all—talked for hours on end.

Between the three of us, we have eight children. We’re passionate about raising little people who will become lights in the world, so a LOT of our conversation revolved around motherhood and parenting.

I came away with so many great ideas from these women and, through absolutely no fault of theirs, a few areas where I realized I feel a little insecure.

Today I’m sharing what I think are some common areas where parents feel those pangs of uncertainty… of insecurity.

Because when you’re giving your heart and soul to something (ie. raising children), it is inevitably going to come with some self-doubt.

And sometimes all you want is to know that you’re not alone! 

10 Things Parents Are Insecure About

1. Our kids’ diets and developing tastes. Do you have a kid who eats nothing but grains? Do you see other kids eating culturally diverse foods and worry because your kid’s favorite food is a hot dog? Do you worry that you’re exposing their tastebuds to too much sugar? It’s tricky stuff!

2. The amount of in-the-moment, eye-to-eye attention we’re devoting (or not devoting) to our children.

3. The kind of work ethic we’re building in them. We all know it’s easier to do the housework and yardwork ourselves than to “persuade” kids to contribute…

4. The balance between free time and structured activities, like karate and tap class.

5. Our interest (or lack thereof) in sparking our kids’ creativity, supplementing their educations, or even just helping with their homework. Oh and our follow-through.

6. Homework time. Period. How we’re handling it, whether our attitudes are being picked up by our kids…

7. Sibling relationships. This reminds me of a book I keep meaning to read: Best Friends, Worst Enemies. The title says it all.

8. How much spiritual teaching we’re doing in the home.

9. Yelling.

10. The division of labor between Mom and Dad—and the perception of gender roles we’re passing on to our kids.

Like I said earlier, the up side to all of this is that it means we are invested. So at least there’s that!

What else would you add to this list? 

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In case you could use some resources to help you move beyond those familiar pangs of insecurity (couldn’t we all?), check out these three posts:

You Are Still YOU, Even If… 

A Negative Thought Download: An Exercise for More Self-Love

The Power of Knowing Your Shame Triggers