Scrolling Instagram, it can be easy to feel like you’re falling short as a parent. If your feed is anything like ours, it’s probably filled with other people’s ‘perfect’ lives – endless images of spotless homes, gentle parenting advice, and homemade organic meals. A recent study by the Ohio State University stated that 66% of working parents met the criteria for parental burnout. And the pressure to be on top of our parenting game 100% of the time has a lot to answer for.
In the early days of ‘Insta mums’, back when the app launched in 2010, sharing your parenting journey online was more about connection and solidarity. Self-dubbed ‘Fish finger mums’ embraced the chaos of parenting, making light of the tough and not-so-pretty moments.
A new wave of relatable parenting content is moving back in that direction. Actively rejecting perfection, the idea is to embrace a more balanced and realistic approach. The trend has been dubbed ‘good enough parenting’, and we’re here for it. Read on to find out more.
What is ‘Good Enough Parenting’?
The concept of ‘good enough parenting’ actually isn’t new. It was first introduced by British paediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott back in the 1950s. He believed that children benefit most from parents who are responsive and caring, but not necessarily perfect. Striving for perfection can lead to anxiety, burnout and stress – which isn’t going to be beneficial for you or your little one.
‘Good enough parenting’ recognises that making mistakes is all part of the process. It’s all about being emotionally available, offering support and guidance, and showing up even when things don’t go to plan. ‘Good enough parents’ know that they don’t always have all the answers, but they are willing to learn and adapt along the way.
The ‘Good Enough Parenting’ Trend
Social media can be a huge source of stress, but it also has the ability to open up more honest discussions around parenting and positive mental health. Rejecting the idea of ‘perfect parenting’, influencers across Instagram and TikTok are sharing their real, messy, and imperfect experiences online. This transparency gives other parents the permission to let go of unrealistic expectations.
It’s refreshing to see this filtering through to parenting brands too. Instead of seeing mums with flawless shiny hair and high heels pushing strollers, we’ve noticed a shift towards campaigns featuring real families and products that will genuinely help parents.
Joie is one parenting brand championing this. Their finiti™ stroller, sprint™ and i-Harbour™ car seats, and i-Base™ Encore are all designed to make the parenting journey easier. A 4-in-1 multitasking stroller, the lightweight finiti™ can be used from birth and can go everywhere with you – from family holidays to the nursery run. It folds with one hand, has PunctureProof™ foam-filled rubber tyres for a smooth ride, and can be used with the bassinet, stroller seat, and car seat.
With an integrated ISOFIX, the Joie sprint™ car seat couldn’t be easier to install. Suitable from birth until 75cm, the infant carrier meets the highest ECE R129/03 safety standard, plus side impact testing i-Size when paired with the i-Base Encore™. The i-Base Encore™ adds a 90° rotation to compatible baby car seats, including sprint™, and a 360° spin to compatible toddler seats, to make getting your little one in and out of the car as easy as possible.
When paired with the i-Base Encore™, the i-Harbour™ car seat has 360° spin. is Suitable from birth up until 4 years, i-Harbour™ meets the highest R129 safety standards, growing with your little one with a 6-position headrest and harness system.
All of Joie’s products are designed to be comfortable and easy to use, allowing you to get on with everyday life as a parent.
Parenting Perfection is a Myth
Social media is very good at perpetuating the myth that there’s a ‘right’ way to raise children. Parenting ‘experts’ online will have you believe that if you follow this formula for success, it’ll produce happy, healthy, and well-adjusted adults.
But the truth is perfection is a myth. Parenting is as messy as it is beautiful. There will always be days when we don’t have everything together, moments when we lose our temper, and feel like we have no idea what we’re doing! And that’s okay. Kids don’t need perfect parents, they need present ones.
Research suggests ‘good enough’ parenting has a positive impact on child development. Children raised by ‘good enough parents’ tend to develop a stronger sense of resilience, independence, and have better problem-solving skills. They also learn that mistakes and setbacks are all part of life.
So, the next time you find yourself doubting your abilities, take a deep breath and remind yourself: there’s no such thing as a perfect parent. But there is such a thing as a good enough one — and that’s exactly the parent that your child needs.
