Do Children Today Need Perfect Parents?

Families, communities, and nations are stronger when mothers and fathers fulfill their responsibilities as parents. However, no one expects either mothers or fathers to be perfect. There has only be one perfect Person that has ever walked this earth, and that Person is Jesus Christ. No one else has ever reached perfection, but many people continue to beat themselves.

Young mothers are between a rock and a hard place in their mothering. Mothers are blamed for things that they do and things that they do not do. They try so hard to be perfect mothers that they drive themselves and others to madness.

A recent poll – What to Expect poll – discovered that eight or ten mothers believe that they should be perfect in their parenting role. The poll found that 83% of Gen Z moms (ages 18 to 26) and 77% of millennial moms (27 to 41) are striving for perfection. However, they differ in their view of perfection.

According to Lois M. Collins at the Deseret News, “Gen Z moms put the most pressure on themselves and fewer of them are confident in themselves as mothers (70%), compared to millennial moms (77%). She continued in her analysis. 

The poll asked the women about 26 different parenting ideals and ow they define the perfect mom.

Gen Z moms were more intent on accomplishing 11 goals, compared to the older group of mothers. Those included keeping kids busy with activities, ensuring tech-free time, being open to letting kids explore their own identity and putting family first ahead of their own needs or wants, among others. Seven in 10 of them say they want to teach their offspring to be ‘accepting of all.’” …

Millennial moms rated just two parenting ideals higher than did Gen Z: modeling a strong work ethic (50% compared to 45% of Gen Z) and having a successful partnership/marriage (72% vs. 68% of Gen Z)….

The two generations were the same on making sure the food their children eat is healthy and on staying physically well themselves.

I stand in awe of the young mothers and fathers that I know. I am amazed at the way that they deal so calmly with their children. I love to watch the young parents of today, and I do not expect them to be perfect. Good parents can strengthen their families, communities, and nations, but they should not expect themselves to be perfect. Only Jesus Christ was perfect!