DOES MY PARENTING SUCK?

What Part of the Game Is This?

​When Your Kid Does Something That Makes You Question Everything“What part of the game is this?”
I’m pretty sure this is the exact thought that runs through every parent’s mind at some point—usually right after reading a behavior report from their child’s teacher or while lifting up a mattress and discovering a week-old turkey sandwich hiding underneath.
In that moment, many of us think, “Have they lost their entire mind?”
But somehow, inside that tiny, still-developing prefrontal cortex, it probably seemed like a brilliant idea.
Welcome to parenting.

The Things Nobody Warns You AboutRemember when we all read What to Expect When You’re Expecting?
If you were anything like me, you still ran into plenty of things you definitely did not expect to expect.
(And if you say you didn’t…you’re lying. I’m kidding. Sort of.)
Because here’s the truth: no book can fully prepare you for the wild, confusing, hilarious, and sometimes exhausting moments that come with raising children.
One minute you think you're raising the next Doogie Howser, and the next minute--BOOM—you get a full Joey from Blossom moment.
(Whoa.)

Kids Make Weird Decisions — And That’s NormalChildren are still developing emotionally, socially, and neurologically. Their brains—especially the prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for judgment and decision-making—are still under construction.
So sometimes their decisions will leave you scratching your head.
Or laughing.
Or both.
And while those moments can feel frustrating, they are also a completely normal part of childhood development.

What This Means for ParentsLet me reassure you of something important:
Yes, your child messed up.
And no, it does not mean you are a bad parent.
Kids test boundaries.
Kids experiment.
Kids make strange decisions.
It happens in every family.
Parenting is not about being perfect. It’s about being present, patient, and willing to grow alongside your child.

Sometimes You Just Have to LaughIf what your child did was so bizarre that it's actually funny, go ahead and laugh.
Seriously.
Sometimes laughter is the only reasonable response.
Personally, every time I shake my head or laugh at something my kid has done, I like to pretend I’m logging it into MyFitnessPal as calories burned.
At this rate, I’m pretty sure I’ve burned 1,000 calories since this morning alone.
Okay… maybe that part is a stretch.

A Reminder Every Parent NeedsBefore you go, take a deep breath and repeat after me:
“I am doing a kick-ass job raising this kid.”
Say it three times.
Then go grab a milkshake and take a nap.
You deserve it.

When Parenting Feels OverwhelmingEven though these moments are normal, parenting can still feel overwhelming sometimes. If your child is struggling with behavior, emotions, anxiety, or big life changes, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At With A Child’s Heart Behavioral Health Center, we specialize in child and adolescent therapy that helps children feel understood, supported, and empowered to grow.
Our goal is to help families strengthen relationships, improve communication, and give children the tools they need to thrive.
Schedule an AppointmentIf you’re looking for support for your child or family, we’re here to help.
👉 Schedule an appointment today

Mikah — Founder
With A Child’s Heart Behavioral Health Center
Helping Children Heal, Grow, and Thrive

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