May 25, 2025 • 12 mins
Parenting is less about perfection and more about authenticity, connection, and showing up for your kids flaws and all. This episode unpacks the pressures modern parents face, the timeless needs of children, and practical ways to be a 'good enough' parent, even in a tech-saturated world.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Raising Happy Kids - The firstepisode.
(00:40):
I'm so excited this!
The podcast that cuts through the noiseand gets real about what it takes
to raise strong, confident,emotionally healthy kids in today's world.
We're your hosts - I'm DanielleI'm Mike.
Really Happy to be your co-host.
This Podcast is really needed.
Let's face it,parenting isn't exactly a highlight reel.
It's more like a bloopers reel most ofthe time.
You said it right!
(01:02):
And whether it's navigating bedtimemeltdowns or figuring out those endless
lunchbox battles,we're here to unpack the good,
the messy, and everything in between.
hummm And don't forget the part
where you spend 20 minutes cuttingsandwiches into perfect little dinosaur
shapes, only for the kid to say,
"I don't like it!"Oh, I feel that pain.
But honestly, it's moments like thosethat make parenting so humbling,
(01:24):
right?
Uh, I think "humbling" is just a nice wayof saying,
"exhausting."True, but that's why we'rehere-to remind parents they don't
have to be perfect, just present.
Perfection is such a trap, especially inthis digital age where everyone
seems like they've got it all together.
hummm As if the Pinterest moms
and TikTok dads really have spreadsheetsfor everything.
(01:44):
I mean, maybe they do.
But for the rest of us normal folks,
it's... trial, error, repeat.
Mostly error.
And that's perfectly okay!
Parenting,like everything else worth doing,
is a learning process.
So in today's episode, we'll dive intohow to let go of perfection,
focus on connection,and rediscover what really matters.
You know,
(02:06):
speaking of letting go of perfection,
sometimes I feel like social media turnsparenting into an Olympic event-who
can look the best while handling thechaos?
Oh,
completely!
It's like everyone's life is thisperfectly edited highlight reel,
and it can really mess with yourconfidence as a parent.
Definitely.
I mean, one time my kids asked why theirbreakfast didn't look "Instagram-worthy."
(02:28):
And I'm standing there with my pancakesthat-okay,
yeah, maybe they were slightly burnt-andthey're asking why I didn't
make a face out of blueberries andwhipped cream.
Like, where did that bar even come from?
So I told them,
"Listen, pancakes should taste good-notdouble as abstract art." And
then I may or may not have drawn a smileyface with ketchup on the eggs
(02:50):
to prove my point.
Well, at least you got creative!
But seriously,this comparison culture is tough.
Social media makes you feel like you'refailing if your kid's outfit
doesn't match their backpack or if theirlunch isn't some color-coded
masterpiece.
It's exhausting.
Ahhh don't even get me started on those"day-in-the-life"
videos of these super-parents who,
(03:11):
apparently, wake up at 5 a.
m.,
juice vegetables, do Pilates,and still have time to homeschool their
kids while running a small business.
Are they even real?
I don't think so.
But the problem is,even if we know it's not real,
it still plants this seed of self-doubt.
You start asking yourself if you're doingenough-or even worse,
if you're enough.
Yeah, like, "Am I too strict?
(03:33):
Am I too lenient?
Are the kids watching too much TV?
Should I be teaching them coding?" It'slike an endless quiz you're doomed
to fail.
Exactly.
And here's the truth most of us forgetwhile we're spiraling: Our kids
don't want perfect parents,they just want real ones.
They need connection,not curated content.
Well,
they're getting 100% real from me.
(03:54):
Yesterday, my son told me I "failed"because his ham sandwich didn't
have a pick in it.
A pick!
I didn't even know toothpicks had grades.
Ohhhh my gosh that's classic
parenting-showing up, doing your best,
and sometimes being school-lunch shamed.
Honestly, I wish we talked more aboutwhat's behind all this anxiety.
It's not just the routines we see,
(04:16):
it's the pressure to always project theperfect family,
the perfect life.
Yeah.
And the irony?
The more you chase that perfection,
the less you actually connect with yourkids.
You're too busy staging the moment toactually live it.
Like you said,
the more we chase perfection, the furtherwe get from what really matters.
Kids don't need picture-perfectmoments-they need connection,
(04:37):
safety, structure, and love.
Those basics never change, but we'reexperts at overcomplicating them,
aren't we?
Overcomplicate is right.
Sometimes it feels like we forget kidsdon't need Pinterest boards,
you know?
They need parents who can find the socksthat match.
Or, I mean, at least one sock.
A close match is fine.
A close match counts!
(04:57):
But seriously, isn't it wild how all thetechnology and information we
have now can make those basics feel lessclear?
Like, we're bombarded by advice columnsand trending techniques,
and you lose sight of what really anchorsyour relationship with your
kids.
Yeah, and that anchor isn't-or shouldn'tbe-a Wi-Fi connection.
I'm learning my kids just want me to showup,
(05:18):
not scroll up.
The little things seem to matter more,
like, just... being there.
Right.
And showing up isn't the same as beingperfect.
It's about being real, because kids canspot fake from a mile away.
That's what makes all those littlemoments-like apologizing,
or making time to listen-so powerful.
Totally.
Although, to be fair, listening sometimesmeans you're enduring an hour-long
(05:41):
retelling of their Minecraft adventures.
But hey, showing interest in their worldsis part of the job,
right?
Exactly.
I actually know a single mom who reallyleaned into that when her family
went through a big move.
They had to rebuild everything fromscratch-new school,
new routines, all of it.
But she made it work by focusing on onething: connection.
(06:02):
Every evening, she'd sit with her son,
no matter how stressful her day had been,
and just talk.
About his day, his feelings,whatever was on his mind.
Wow,
she sounds like a rockstar.
I mean, let's be honest, when my kidsstart telling me about their day,
half the time I get "fine" or "nothinghappened."Oh,
(06:23):
that's part of the process, Mike.
Kids open up when they feel safe-andsafety isn't just about physical
protection.
It's emotional too.
It's knowing you're their safe space,
no matter what.
Yeah,but then there's the "space to grow" part,
which is hard!
Like, when my daughter said she wanted towalk to school alone for the
first time.
Talk about a dad meltdown.
(06:43):
I wanted to say, "Nope, I'll drop you offtill you're 25." But I knew
giving her that independence matteredmore than my nerves.
That's such
a good example of balance-being presentand supportive,
while letting them spread their wings.
It's not easy, but it's so important.
And it feels a little ridiculous
sometimes, doesn't it?
Like,you know letting go is good for them,
(07:05):
but you're standing there thinking,
"Please don't fall, and also don't hateme if I hover just a little longer."Oh,
absolutely.
But that's it-the magic lies in theeffort,
not the perfection.
Our kids don't need us to have it allfigured out.
They just need to trust that we're trying,
flaws and all.
And that's good,
because, well,if the job requirement was perfection,
I'd have been fired a long time ago.
Danielle,
(07:28):
you've got me thinking-if perfection werethe job description,
I'd have been fired, no contest.
But seriously, why do we still feel likewe've got to act like we're
nailing this parenting thing 100% of thetime?
Isn't the whole "perfect parent" ideajust... impossible?
Absolutely impossible.
And honestly,it's never been about perfection anyway.
(07:50):
It's about showing up, trying your best,
and when you mess up, admitting it.
That's where the real magic happens-whenwe're human with our kids.
Okay,
I have to ask-have you ever had one ofthose epic "parent fail" moments
where you had to, you know, like,
hit the reset button?
Oh, plenty.
One that stands out?
One morning, I completely forgot it wasmy daughter's turn to bring cupcakes
(08:12):
for her class.
She was so upset, understandably,
and I felt like the worst mom in theworld.
But instead of spiraling,I owned up to it.
I said, "Hey, I really dropped the ball,
and I'm sorry.
How about we make it up this weekend bybaking something together?"Wait-so
you turned a disaster into a bondingmoment?
That's like ninja-level parenting.
My fail moments usually end with meGoogling "how to unburn toast" at
(08:36):
7 a.
m.Mike, you'd be surprised how far anapology and a do-over can go
with kids.
What I've learned is that mistakes areinevitable,
but they're also huge teachingopportunities.
When our kids see us owning up to ourflaws,
it gives them permission to make mistakestoo-and more importantly,
to learn from them.
I think one of the most powerful thingswe can do
(08:57):
as parents is model imperfection.
Whether it's saying,"I was wrong" or "I overreacted,
let's try that again," we're teachingresilience.
We're showing them it's okay to mess up,
as long as you take responsibility andtry to fix it.
So,
let's talk practical stuff.
What are your go-to moves for,
you know, staying sane and "good enough"as a parent?
Honestly,
(09:17):
I keep it simple.
First off, I celebrate the little wins.
Like, if I manage to keep my cool duringa meltdown or carve out five
minutes to really listen to my son talkabout a video game,
that's a win in my book.
Small victories add up.
Oh, and practicing self-compassion ishuge-it's okay to have hard days.
Yeah,
the self-compassion thing,that's a tough one.
(09:38):
I feel like most parents, myself included,
are their own worst critics.
For sure.
But here's what helps me (09:43):
whenever that inner critic pops up,
I ask myself-would I talk to a friendthis way?
And usually the answer is no.
So I try to give myself the same graceI'd give anyone else.
Honestly,
I think more parents need to hear they'redoing okay.
Like, even if dinner is microwavedchicken nuggets and the bedtime story
is your kid making you read the same bookfor the 400th time,
(10:06):
it's still parenting done with love.
Parenting isn't about grand gestures-it's
about being present.
It's about showing your kids,day in and day out,
that they matter to you.
Even on the messy, chaotic,not-your-best days.
Alright,
Danielle, so what would you say is theone takeaway every parent listening
needs to hear right now?
Just this (10:24):
You are enough.
Stop chasing perfection.
Focus on connection.
Your kids don't need you to beperfect-they need you to be real.
If you show up with love,even when you stumble,
you're doing an amazing job.
I love that Dan.
And honestly, knowing I don't have to acethis parenting gig is the most
reassuring thing I've heard all week.
Same here.
(10:45):
And maybe, just maybe, letting go ofperfection is the secret to enjoying
parenthood a little more, too.
Couldn't agree more.
Alright, I think that's all we've got fortoday family.
Hope we did good.
Thanks for listening-and remember,
no parent has it all figured out,
but if you're trying, you're doing great.
Don't forget to subscribe to
how youtube channel and follow us onsocial media.
(11:07):
Visit the website.
We have an amazing Boutique.
And on that note, we'll see you next timeon Raising Happy Kids.
Welcome to Raising Happy Kids - The firstepisode.
(00:40):
I'm so excited this!
The podcast that cuts through the noiseand gets real about what it takes
to raise strong, confident,emotionally healthy kids in today's world.
We're your hosts - I'm DanielleI'm Mike.
Really Happy to be your co-host.
This Podcast is really needed.
Let's face it,parenting isn't exactly a highlight reel.
It's more like a bloopers reel most ofthe time.
You said it right!
(01:02):
And whether it's navigating bedtimemeltdowns or figuring out those endless
lunchbox battles,we're here to unpack the good,
the messy, and everything in between.
hummm And don't forget the part
where you spend 20 minutes cuttingsandwiches into perfect little dinosaur
shapes, only for the kid to say,
"I don't like it!"Oh, I feel that pain.
But honestly, it's moments like thosethat make parenting so humbling,
(01:24):
right?
Uh, I think "humbling" is just a nice wayof saying,
"exhausting."True, but that's why we'rehere-to remind parents they don't
have to be perfect, just present.
Perfection is such a trap, especially inthis digital age where everyone
seems like they've got it all together.
hummm As if the Pinterest moms
and TikTok dads really have spreadsheetsfor everything.
(01:44):
I mean, maybe they do.
But for the rest of us normal folks,
it's... trial, error, repeat.
Mostly error.
And that's perfectly okay!
Parenting,like everything else worth doing,
is a learning process.
So in today's episode, we'll dive intohow to let go of perfection,
focus on connection,and rediscover what really matters.
You know,
(02:06):
speaking of letting go of perfection,
sometimes I feel like social media turnsparenting into an Olympic event-who
can look the best while handling thechaos?
Oh,
completely!
It's like everyone's life is thisperfectly edited highlight reel,
and it can really mess with yourconfidence as a parent.
Definitely.
I mean, one time my kids asked why theirbreakfast didn't look "Instagram-worthy."
(02:28):
And I'm standing there with my pancakesthat-okay,
yeah, maybe they were slightly burnt-andthey're asking why I didn't
make a face out of blueberries andwhipped cream.
Like, where did that bar even come from?
So I told them,
"Listen, pancakes should taste good-notdouble as abstract art." And
then I may or may not have drawn a smileyface with ketchup on the eggs
(02:50):
to prove my point.
Well, at least you got creative!
But seriously,this comparison culture is tough.
Social media makes you feel like you'refailing if your kid's outfit
doesn't match their backpack or if theirlunch isn't some color-coded
masterpiece.
It's exhausting.
Ahhh don't even get me started on those"day-in-the-life"
videos of these super-parents who,
(03:11):
apparently, wake up at 5 a.
m.,
juice vegetables, do Pilates,and still have time to homeschool their
kids while running a small business.
Are they even real?
I don't think so.
But the problem is,even if we know it's not real,
it still plants this seed of self-doubt.
You start asking yourself if you're doingenough-or even worse,
if you're enough.
Yeah, like, "Am I too strict?
(03:33):
Am I too lenient?
Are the kids watching too much TV?
Should I be teaching them coding?" It'slike an endless quiz you're doomed
to fail.
Exactly.
And here's the truth most of us forgetwhile we're spiraling: Our kids
don't want perfect parents,they just want real ones.
They need connection,not curated content.
Well,
they're getting 100% real from me.
(03:54):
Yesterday, my son told me I "failed"because his ham sandwich didn't
have a pick in it.
A pick!
I didn't even know toothpicks had grades.
Ohhhh my gosh that's classic
parenting-showing up, doing your best,
and sometimes being school-lunch shamed.
Honestly, I wish we talked more aboutwhat's behind all this anxiety.
It's not just the routines we see,
(04:16):
it's the pressure to always project theperfect family,
the perfect life.
Yeah.
And the irony?
The more you chase that perfection,
the less you actually connect with yourkids.
You're too busy staging the moment toactually live it.
Like you said,
the more we chase perfection, the furtherwe get from what really matters.
Kids don't need picture-perfectmoments-they need connection,
(04:37):
safety, structure, and love.
Those basics never change, but we'reexperts at overcomplicating them,
aren't we?
Overcomplicate is right.
Sometimes it feels like we forget kidsdon't need Pinterest boards,
you know?
They need parents who can find the socksthat match.
Or, I mean, at least one sock.
A close match is fine.
A close match counts!
(04:57):
But seriously, isn't it wild how all thetechnology and information we
have now can make those basics feel lessclear?
Like, we're bombarded by advice columnsand trending techniques,
and you lose sight of what really anchorsyour relationship with your
kids.
Yeah, and that anchor isn't-or shouldn'tbe-a Wi-Fi connection.
I'm learning my kids just want me to showup,
(05:18):
not scroll up.
The little things seem to matter more,
like, just... being there.
Right.
And showing up isn't the same as beingperfect.
It's about being real, because kids canspot fake from a mile away.
That's what makes all those littlemoments-like apologizing,
or making time to listen-so powerful.
Totally.
Although, to be fair, listening sometimesmeans you're enduring an hour-long
(05:41):
retelling of their Minecraft adventures.
But hey, showing interest in their worldsis part of the job,
right?
Exactly.
I actually know a single mom who reallyleaned into that when her family
went through a big move.
They had to rebuild everything fromscratch-new school,
new routines, all of it.
But she made it work by focusing on onething: connection.
(06:02):
Every evening, she'd sit with her son,
no matter how stressful her day had been,
and just talk.
About his day, his feelings,whatever was on his mind.
Wow,
she sounds like a rockstar.
I mean, let's be honest, when my kidsstart telling me about their day,
half the time I get "fine" or "nothinghappened."Oh,
(06:23):
that's part of the process, Mike.
Kids open up when they feel safe-andsafety isn't just about physical
protection.
It's emotional too.
It's knowing you're their safe space,
no matter what.
Yeah,but then there's the "space to grow" part,
which is hard!
Like, when my daughter said she wanted towalk to school alone for the
first time.
Talk about a dad meltdown.
(06:43):
I wanted to say, "Nope, I'll drop you offtill you're 25." But I knew
giving her that independence matteredmore than my nerves.
That's such
a good example of balance-being presentand supportive,
while letting them spread their wings.
It's not easy, but it's so important.
And it feels a little ridiculous
sometimes, doesn't it?
Like,you know letting go is good for them,
(07:05):
but you're standing there thinking,
"Please don't fall, and also don't hateme if I hover just a little longer."Oh,
absolutely.
But that's it-the magic lies in theeffort,
not the perfection.
Our kids don't need us to have it allfigured out.
They just need to trust that we're trying,
flaws and all.
And that's good,
because, well,if the job requirement was perfection,
I'd have been fired a long time ago.
Danielle,
(07:28):
you've got me thinking-if perfection werethe job description,
I'd have been fired, no contest.
But seriously, why do we still feel likewe've got to act like we're
nailing this parenting thing 100% of thetime?
Isn't the whole "perfect parent" ideajust... impossible?
Absolutely impossible.
And honestly,it's never been about perfection anyway.
(07:50):
It's about showing up, trying your best,
and when you mess up, admitting it.
That's where the real magic happens-whenwe're human with our kids.
Okay,
I have to ask-have you ever had one ofthose epic "parent fail" moments
where you had to, you know, like,
hit the reset button?
Oh, plenty.
One that stands out?
One morning, I completely forgot it wasmy daughter's turn to bring cupcakes
(08:12):
for her class.
She was so upset, understandably,
and I felt like the worst mom in theworld.
But instead of spiraling,I owned up to it.
I said, "Hey, I really dropped the ball,
and I'm sorry.
How about we make it up this weekend bybaking something together?"Wait-so
you turned a disaster into a bondingmoment?
That's like ninja-level parenting.
My fail moments usually end with meGoogling "how to unburn toast" at
(08:36):
7 a.
m.Mike, you'd be surprised how far anapology and a do-over can go
with kids.
What I've learned is that mistakes areinevitable,
but they're also huge teachingopportunities.
When our kids see us owning up to ourflaws,
it gives them permission to make mistakestoo-and more importantly,
to learn from them.
I think one of the most powerful thingswe can do
(08:57):
as parents is model imperfection.
Whether it's saying,"I was wrong" or "I overreacted,
let's try that again," we're teachingresilience.
We're showing them it's okay to mess up,
as long as you take responsibility andtry to fix it.
So,
let's talk practical stuff.
What are your go-to moves for,
you know, staying sane and "good enough"as a parent?
Honestly,
(09:17):
I keep it simple.
First off, I celebrate the little wins.
Like, if I manage to keep my cool duringa meltdown or carve out five
minutes to really listen to my son talkabout a video game,
that's a win in my book.
Small victories add up.
Oh, and practicing self-compassion ishuge-it's okay to have hard days.
Yeah,
the self-compassion thing,that's a tough one.
(09:38):
I feel like most parents, myself included,
are their own worst critics.
For sure.
But here's what helps me (09:43):
whenever that inner critic pops up,
I ask myself-would I talk to a friendthis way?
And usually the answer is no.
So I try to give myself the same graceI'd give anyone else.
Honestly,
I think more parents need to hear they'redoing okay.
Like, even if dinner is microwavedchicken nuggets and the bedtime story
is your kid making you read the same bookfor the 400th time,
(10:06):
it's still parenting done with love.
Parenting isn't about grand gestures-it's
about being present.
It's about showing your kids,day in and day out,
that they matter to you.
Even on the messy, chaotic,not-your-best days.
Alright,
Danielle, so what would you say is theone takeaway every parent listening
needs to hear right now?
Just this (10:24):
You are enough.
Stop chasing perfection.
Focus on connection.
Your kids don't need you to beperfect-they need you to be real.
If you show up with love,even when you stumble,
you're doing an amazing job.
I love that Dan.
And honestly, knowing I don't have to acethis parenting gig is the most
reassuring thing I've heard all week.
Same here.
(10:45):
And maybe, just maybe, letting go ofperfection is the secret to enjoying
parenthood a little more, too.
Couldn't agree more.
Alright, I think that's all we've got fortoday family.
Hope we did good.
Thanks for listening-and remember,
no parent has it all figured out,
but if you're trying, you're doing great.
Don't forget to subscribe to
how youtube channel and follow us onsocial media.
(11:07):
Visit the website.
We have an amazing Boutique.
And on that note, we'll see you next timeon Raising Happy Kids.
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