"I want to be the best parent I can be."
Yes, we've all said this phrase more than once since entering the chapter of parenthood. Doors become wide open for a bit more stress in our lives, questioning ourselves whether our parenting is "perfect." What's the best way to expose my newborn to learning? What's the best food I should give them? What toys should I buy to help them nourish their little brains? Should I vaccinate or not? Should I let them play in a sterile, clean environment or let them jump in mud puddles? What age should they have their first iPad? Phone? How do we find the correct response to these questions?
Thanks to the advancements in technology today, we can search for just about anything within seconds. Before COVID, people researched parenting tips by attending classes, purchasing books from stores, or using the Internet. The pandemic occurred, and many people isolated themselves from society as much as they could, which many still do to this day. Now, many parents rely heavily on social media platforms and follow different accounts claiming to have the perfect solution to all our parenting questions. Suddenly, we find ourselves with various responses to what the right way of parenting should be. For example, one account may claim that time-out is damaging to a child's well-being, while others say time-out is necessary for "punishing a child." We should ask ourselves how reliable the information we are seeking on these platforms is.
We start feeling intense pressure to follow popular parenting trends, which include being heavily involved in our child's life. We feel guilty whenever we see that we're not doing what other parents are recording themselves doing with their children. We stress and stress because we've been taught to follow social norms of parenting. We strive to do our best, but in the process, we become obsessive without realizing the extent of the damage we are inflicting on ourselves. Parenting perfectionism leads to burnout and increased levels of anxiety. Research also shows that when parents become too involved in their children's lives, it particularly has a negative impact on the mental health of children during their teenage years.
Therefore, the best course of action is starting by researching who you are listening to for parental strategies and tips. Verify whether they possess a background in education related to Human Development and Family Studies or Family Life Education. Just about anyone can claim they have the best solutions or tips for parenting. You can also check where they are employed, which is also helpful to confirm they are reliable.
Remember, just because something is trending doesn't necessarily mean it's the right path. Take it one day at a time. Parenting can be tough, but if you do your research, you'll find the most reliable information backed by Family and Consumer Sciences professionals concentrating in Human Development and Family Studies.
You are doing great!
Venard, G., Zimmermann, G., Antonietti, J., Nunes, C. E., & Van Petegem, S. (2024b). Parenting Under Pressure: Associations between Perceived Social Pressure and Parental Involvement among Mothers and Fathers. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 33(12), 3813–3825. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02945-5
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