Unison Parenting Blog: Imperfect Parenting is Inevitable

I feel sorry for my kids and their palates. When they were growing up, I didn't fix them the best meals. First, I didn't really know how to cook; I started learning most of my cooking skills about the time they were leaving home. Second, I was too busy. Aside from the occasional custom quesadilla, sometimes I could only prepare the basics, like mac and cheese and canned green beans.

When I was working on my online MBA, often the way my kids interacted with me was to visit my office and do their homework alongside me. Not terrible - at least I modeled studying for them - but not as engaged as I could have been.

If I had done everything perfectly, I don't think anyone could relate to my parenting advice. If my kids had been perfect, no one could relate to that, either.

Even with the structured philosophy and safeguards of Unison Parenting, you'll always be an imperfect parent. You'll say things you'll regret forever. You'll scar your kids. Your house won't be company-ready, and your life won't be social media-perfect.

But nail the biggest stuff. At the heart of Unison Parenting is a philosophy of balancing love and limits. Love on your kids; show them your love by what you do and what you explicitly say. Give them limits; teach them boundaries, responsibility, that their choices determine outcomes.

This is where I don't feel sorry for my kids. They completely understood their parents' love, and they learned how to make good choices. My adult children reflect both in the way they live now.

Love and limits are worth more than perfectly crusted salmon with sauteed green beans almondine served from an amazingly clean kitchen.