10 tips for building confidence as a parent

You are the only ones who know your child

You carried this child, you brought them into the world. You've been taking care of them since long before birth (9 months of pregnancy without touching a glass of wine — that counts!). You observe them, you anticipate their reactions, you know or will learn to recognise their cries. In short, if there were a world championship dedicated to your Junior, you'd win the gold medal and no one else would.

To each their own method

Nappies get changed in different ways. And the same goes for everything else. Your method isn't worse than another parent's or your partner's — it's just different. Stop comparing yourself and stay true to who you are.

You're already doing your best

Between mental and physical exhaustion, work and life in general, you're running in all directions. The result: you feel like you're doing everything halfway and never being in the right place. Don't be so hard on yourself. Look at yourself the way you would look at a friend — without judgement, but with kindness and empathy.

Take care of yourself

Easier said than done, we know. That said, taking time for yourself (exercising, seeing friends, going for a walk, drawing, chilling out…) will help you step back and stay in a good mood to better handle self-doubt.

Lower your expectations

The house isn't tidy? Junior is wearing a stained t-shirt? You'll survive, and so will he. Reassess your priorities. A walk in the park will do more good than vacuuming. And don't believe everything you see on Instagram.

You're allowed to make mistakes

It's a bit of a cliché, but so true. Mistakes, even as a parent, give us clues about the right path to take. Repeat after us: "Great, I got something wrong, I learned something new." And here's to letting go.

Look at how far you've already come

Take a little trip down memory lane, back to when you came home from the maternity ward with your child in your arms. All of a sudden, panic set in. You exclaimed "what have we done!" Look how far you've come since then! Be proud of the milestones you've already overcome. You got through them, you found solutions, and that will keep on going.

Love and milk

Your child doesn't need perfection. Can you imagine the pressure when they grow up? How could they ever live up to such brilliant parents? In the end, you're actually doing them a favour. In reality, children need love and security.

Ask for help

Trusting yourself also means trusting others. So when you've had enough, ask for help. Your family, your partner, your friends, a babysitter… You're not Shiva.

Your child, your choices

Sometimes, through the eyes of others (family or close friends), you sense disapproval. Little secret: the only person you need to please with your choices is yourself. And remember, re-read our point number 1 — only you truly know your child and their needs. Not your parents, not your in-laws, not your friends.

The Charlie Crane team