Dear Parents: You’re Doing a Great Job

Dear parents: Do you feel overwhelmed? Stressed? Do you feel like you’re juggling a million responsibilities, all the while wondering if you’re actually doing this parenting thing “right”? 

First, let’s take a moment to take a deep breath. Then, let us remind you that you’re doing a great job! The truth about parenting is that progress is actually made in the challenges. In other words, if it seems difficult, it’s supposed to be. That’s why it’s so important to take encouragement where you can in those stressful seasons. So here are some reminders that we hope bring you some perspective and comfort, no matter where you are in your parenting journey. 

Trust Your Gut  

Did you know that scientists have studied the phenomenon known as “mother’s intuition” or “parental instincts”? Researchers have discovered that there are a ton of things going on at the biological and chemical level that potentially explain why parents are able to protect their kids in unexplainable ways. So next time your gut is telling you something, listen to it! 

Remember the Bigger Picture 

In the chaos of any given week, you can find yourself worried about tons of things. But if you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, you may ask yourself, “what is my ultimate goal in raising my child?” For many parents, they just want their kids to know they are loved and to raise them to be kind, productive members of society. So in the grand scheme of things, it may ease your mind when your child left their jacket at school again, or failed a test in a difficult class, to know it’s not the end of the world.

It’s Okay to Not Have All the Answers

As a parent, you’re the designated problem-solver for just about everything. And more often than not, you probably find yourself thinking, “Well, how am I supposed to know what to do?”. We’re here to tell you that it’s completely normal to not know! There’s no rulebook or “one-size-fits-all” approach for parenting. The challenges of parenting are an opportunity to learn and grow — which is a wonderful way to model resilience and patience for your kids. 

Just Showing Up Counts for More Than You Know

You can research and Google all the things that parenting experts say about how to raise kids. You can follow their tips and read their books. But at the heart of every worthwhile parenting philosophy should be just showing up for your kids with all the love you have for them. Just being a present, trustworthy figure in their life does more than you can ever imagine. Yes, even in the small moments of making dinner, signing their permission slips, and picking them up from practice. Every time you show up, no matter what that looks like, it’s like adding another brick to the foundation of your relationship with your child. 

So if you ever feel like you’re not doing enough, remember that if you’re showing up and trying your best, then you’re doing more than enough! 

Bark As Your Digital Helping Hand

Another parenting tip is take all the help you can get! And when it comes to your child’s online safety, Bark can offer a helping hand. Whether you need to give your child healthy screen time boundaries, protect them from harmful sites, or keep an eye on their text conversations with friends, Bark can be the all-in-one tool you need to bring peace of mind to digital parenting.  

Bark offers a variety of products that help parents protect their kids online, including the Bark Phone, the Bark Watch, the Bark app, and the Bark Home. Check out our products page to find out which one is the best fit for your family.