As a parent, there are days when I find myself questioning, “Am I doing this right?!” It often feels like some parents have it all together while I’m stuck in a whirlwind of chaos—hair unkempt, dishes piling up in the sink from last night. It’s easy to get caught up in the feelings of inadequacy. But then it hit me: I was overlooking the small wins that show I’m actually succeeding at this parenting gig. And you probably are too if you can relate to any of these 20 signs of victory:
- You secretly devoured the last piece of chocolate so your kids wouldn’t have to suffer through the heartbreak of missing out.
- You took the batteries out of that annoying talking toy so it wouldn’t drive you (or your kids) crazy with its relentless demands to “Clap your hands if you’re happy!”
- You left PBS on all day long. Because who doesn’t love educational programming?
- Constant texting, coffee breaks, scrolling through social media, and venting to your partner are your go-to forms of self-care to keep your spirits up while wrangling the kids.
- Those comfy yoga pants make you feel like a productivity machine. Seriously, how do they do that?
- Your kid made a scene at the grocery store by announcing his fart, but then followed it up with a charming, “Excuse me, Mom!” #winning
- Your little one is still alive and relatively complaint-free by bedtime—success!
- You managed to pack a lunch that didn’t require a Pinterest board, just a trusty paper bag filled with whatever you could grab in the last 10 minutes before heading out.
- You actually brushed your hair, got dressed, and ate something that wasn’t orange—all before 8 AM. Go you!
- During a full-blown toddler tantrum, you stood firm against the demands for only chocolate pudding for dinner. That’s reserved for late-night snacks, right?
- You paid your bills on time, ordered those wild-looking sneakers, and returned library books before they were overdue. Adulting level: expert.
- In a phone call with your mother-in-law, you asked your kid to say hi, and he didn’t roll his eyes or flee to hide from the phone. Major win!
- You said yes when the kids wanted to create a mud pit in the backyard. YOLO, after all!
- While your child dramatically resisted getting into the car seat, you maintained your zen-like composure. Mother Teresa would be proud.
- So what if dinner ended up on the floor and the dog cleaned it up? You just go with the flow.
- You might not have time for the gym, but you’ve chased the kids, done laundry, washed dishes, and vacuumed 177 times before dinner. That’s a calorie shred if I’ve ever seen one!
- You patiently listened to your child go on for eight minutes about why dinosaurs are awesome, complete with roars and claw impressions at the dinner table.
- Despite the challenges and frustrations, you realize you’ve always wanted to be a parent. And you’re doing your best, which is what really matters.
- You craft elaborate tales about what big kids do all day to motivate your child to tackle basic tasks like getting dressed or brushing their teeth.
- No matter how ridiculous each day gets, you prioritize your kids and find ways to navigate through the chaos, even if it’s not perfect. #winning
There’s no such thing as a Parent of the Year award, so let’s give ourselves a pat on the back for each little victory. Now, where’s that chocolate pudding?
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Summary
Parenting is full of small victories that prove you’re doing great, even on the toughest days. From sneaking chocolate to managing toddler meltdowns, every little win counts. Celebrate those moments, remember that perfection isn’t the goal, and always prioritize your kids.