December brings warmth, school holidays, and that familiar question many parents ask: Am I doing this right?
You look at your child, bigger than in January, maybe starting at our Tesch Road centre, maybe moving to a new room. And underneath the pride, there’s often anxiety: Should I have done more?
At Sorella Early Learning, we work alongside hundreds of families throughout the year. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: if you’re asking whether you’re parenting right, you’re probably doing better than you think.
The Myth of Perfect Parenting
The problem with “Are we doing it right?” is that it assumes there’s a single correct way to raise children.
That formula doesn’t exist.
What does exist is overwhelming, contradictory advice. Attachment parenting versus independence training. Structured routines versus child-led days. Gentle parenting versus firm boundaries.
Here’s what we’ve learned: there are many ways to parent well. Different approaches work for different children and families.
The better questions are:
- Is my child generally secure and happy?
- Are they developing and progressing?
- Is our relationship strong?
- Am I supporting them in ways that matter?
- Are we moving in a positive direction?
What Research Says Actually Matters
Secure attachment. At least one adult who is consistently responsive and available. Not perfect, good enough, most of the time.
Emotional safety. A home where children can express feelings, make mistakes, and still be loved unconditionally.
Warm, consistent boundaries. Clear expectations delivered with connection and respect.
Play and exploration. Unstructured time, space to explore, freedom to be bored occasionally.
Language-rich environments. Conversations, stories, questions—building language and connection.
Emotional regulation support. Helping children name feelings and develop coping strategies.
Physical health basics. Sleep, nutrition, activity, and medical care.
Notice what’s NOT on this list: perfect behaviour, early academics, constant happiness, never making mistakes, being the “best,” or Instagram-worthy moments.
End-of-Year Reflection Questions
Instead of “Did I do it right?” ask yourself:
About well-being: Is my child generally happy and secure? Are they developing appropriately? Do they have strong, trusting relationships?
About connection: Does my child come to me when upset? Do we have genuine moments of joy together? Can we repair after conflicts?
About growth: What new skills did they develop? What challenges did they overcome? What are they proud of? What did they teach me?
About your parenting: What went well? What would I like to improve? What support do I need? What values am I actually modelling?
The big picture: Are we moving in a positive direction? Is my child more capable and connected than a year ago?
What We See at Sorella
From our perspective at the Griffin centre, here’s what we notice:
You’re showing up. Daily. Consistently. Getting them to early learning, communicating with us, and managing the unglamorous work that makes everything possible.
You’re supporting development. You’ve chosen quality early learning. You ask questions. You follow up on suggestions. You’re actively invested.
You’re trying. You ask, “Is this normal?” “How can I help?” “What should I work on?” That engagement matters enormously.
You’re responsive. When we raise concerns, you listen and partner with us to support your child.
You’re human. Tired sometimes. Imperfect often. Juggling everything. Your child doesn’t need perfect—they need present, trying, loving. You’re providing that.
Social Media vs. Reality
You see other families on social media—perfect children, beautiful homes, creative activities, peaceful moments.
That’s not reality. That’s a highlight reel.
Behind every perfect post is probably a tantrum five minutes before, a messy house outside the frame, a stressed parent, and a completely normal, imperfect family life.
Real parenting includes losing your temper sometimes, serving cereal for dinner occasionally, screen time exceeding recommendations, choosing battles, saying things you regret, not doing Pinterest activities, feeling guilty regularly, and wondering if you’re doing enough.
This is normal. The perfect families are just hiding the messy parts.
What Children Actually Need
Not perfect parents. They need parents who:
Repair after ruptures. Apologise when you snap. “I’m sorry I yelled. That wasn’t okay. I love you.”
Show up consistently. Reliably present, not perfectly present. Be their safe person.
See them accurately. Not who you imagined, not who others’ children are—who they are.
Welcome all emotions. Joy, anger, sadness, fear—all feelings need space and validation.
The model doesn’t just lecture. Want kind children? Be kind. Want honesty? Be honest.
Admit mistakes. Let them see you mess up, apologise, and try again.
Prioritise connection. Bedtime stories matter more than spotless houses. Conversations matter more than gourmet meals.
Things We All Get Wrong (And That’s Okay)
Every parent gets things wrong:
- We yell sometimes (then apologise and reconnect)
- We’re inconsistent (boundaries slide when we’re tired)
- We compare our children (even knowing it’s unfair)
- We worry about the wrong things (alphabet over empathy)
- We struggle with patience (the same battles, day after day)
- We prioritise poorly sometimes (phones over presence)
These aren’t failures. These are normal human imperfections in hard work.
What Your Child Will Remember
Not whether clothes matched, lunches were elaborate, or the house was clean.
They’ll remember:
- How did you make them feel
- Whether they felt safe and loved
- If you were present when needed
- Whether you listened
- How you responded to struggles
- That you apologised when wrong
- Feeling valued and accepted
- Family rituals and traditions
- Moments of genuine connection
Connection matters infinitely more than perfection.
You’re Doing Better Than You Think
This year, you:
- Kept your child safe, fed, and healthy ✓
- Made thousands of care decisions ✓
- Navigated challenges and transitions ✓
- Maintained routines (mostly) ✓
- Showed up again and again ✓
- Loved fiercely, even on hard days ✓
That’s enormous. That’s parenting.
You also probably lost your temper more than you wanted, felt overwhelmed frequently, compared yourself to others, doubted decisions, wondered if you were causing damage, and felt guilty about choices.
Also normal. Also, most parents.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Being slightly better at something than last year. Learning from mistakes. Maintaining connection through challenges.
That’s enough.
Gentle Intentions for Next Year
Not rigid resolutions, but gentle intentions:
Connection: One-on-one time, phones away at meals, meaningful bedtime rituals, really listening
Self-care: Adequate sleep, asking for help, occasional time for yourself, kinder self-talk
Parenting: Apologising readily, noticing strengths, staying calmer (or trying), choosing connection over correction sometimes
Family culture: What values will you model? What traditions matter? How do you want your family to feel?
Keep it simple. Small, sustainable shifts toward the parent you want to be.
What We’d Tell You
If we could sit with every family at year’s end:
Your child is doing well. We see them daily. We see growth, quirks, challenges, and strengths. They’re progressing. You’re raising them well.
You’re doing better than you think. We see the care, the follow-up, the love in every interaction. It shows.
Difficult phases pass. Whatever’s hard now will shift. Development keeps moving forward.
Comparison steals joy. Focus on your child’s individual progress, not comparisons to others.
Your relationship is what matters most. Not academics, not achievements, not perfect behaviour—the connection between you.
You’re allowed to struggle. Parenting is hard. Finding it difficult doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Small moments matter most. Daily “I love yous,” listening ears, hugs—these matter more than grand gestures.
Good Enough Is Wonderful
Good enough parenting means:
- Getting it right often enough that children feel secure
- Messing up but repairing relationships
- Meeting most needs most of the time
- Being generally consistent
- Loving them through imperfect moments
This creates healthier children better than perfection ever could. Because perfect parenting doesn’t teach handling mistakes or building resilience.
Your child needs you to be present, trying, and loving. That’s what you’re doing.
To the Exhausted Parent
You’re doing hard, important work. Questioning whether you’re doing it right shows you care deeply.
Your child is fortunate to have you—not because you’re perfect, but because you’re trying, loving, and showing up daily.
This year tested you. And you’re still here. Still trying. Still loving them.
Permit yourself to be imperfect. Acknowledge what you accomplished, not just what you didn’t.
You’re not failing. You’re parenting. And you’re doing it better than you think.
At Sorella, we see you. We see your efforts, your love, your dedication. We see the challenging mornings, the stretched days, the moments of doubt.
We also see your children thriving. Growing, learning, developing. The strong foundation you’re building.
As you head into 2025, be gentle with yourself. You’re good enough—and good enough is wonderful.
Connect With Sorella
For conversations about development, concerns, or parenting challenges, we’re here.
Visit us at 32 Tesch Rd, Griffin, call 07 2111 6711, or check sorellaearlylearning.com.au.
Raising children isn’t something you do perfectly or alone. We’re partners in this journey.
Here’s to a new year of growth, grace, and good-enough parenting.
Recommended Resources on Parenting and Wellbeing
Parenting Support:
- Raising Children Network
https://raisingchildren.net.au/
Comprehensive Australian resource on all aspects of parenting with evidence-based guidance. - Parentline Queensland
https://parentline.com.au/ | Phone: 1300 30 1300
Free telephone and online counseling service for parents, available 24/7. - Beyond Blue – Parental Mental Health
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Support for parental anxiety, depression, and mental health—essential for parenting capacity.
Child Development:
- Early Childhood Australia
https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/
Resources on child development and what children need to thrive. - ARACY – Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth
https://www.aracy.org.au/
Research-based information on positive child development and wellbeing. - Emerging Minds
https://emergingminds.com.au/
Child mental health and development resources for families and professionals.
Attachment and Connection:
- Circle of Security International
https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/
Attachment-based parenting approach focusing on secure relationships. - The Gottman Institute – Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children
https://www.gottman.com/parents/
Research-based strategies for emotion coaching and strong parent-child bonds.
Practical Support:
- KidsMatter
https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/
Mental health and wellbeing resources for families. - Queensland Family and Child Commission
https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/
State resources supporting families and children’s wellbeing.
These resources provide support, information, and reassurance for the parenting journey—acknowledging its challenges while celebrating its rewards.