What to do when your child isn’t perfect? 

There are various way you express your dissatisfaction with your child not being perfect.

Consciously or sub-consciously (without thinking)

Child envy – Wishing your child was more like another child.

Embarrassment – Cringing at your child's behavior, actions or conversation, clothes (the list is never ending really).

Being critical – knit picking actions or things.

Frustration, often leading to arguments.

While such emotions are natural you must be mindful of their effect on your child. The effect on your relationship with your child and the effect on yourself.

You are pursuing perfection in your children and despite whatever you think. It doesn’t naturally exist.

You must come to terms and embrace your child for who they are. Celebrate them. Make peace with yourself so you can look at other children without envy and form a better relationship with your child. Have a positive relationship that celebrates their and your imperfections.

Your child might not excel on school sports day but they can name 20 Japanese animation characters. They might not be popular but the friends they have are good ones.

Stop thinking your children are failures, as that what's you're doing. Think of them as flawed successes.

When was the last time you celebrated their achievement or ability, even though it might mean nothing to you.

Being positive and encouraging to your children is important. Negativity and envy create barriers, bad memoires and breaks bonds.

This has nothing to do with your child's actual ability for some parents their child is never good enough. Don’t be that parent.

You must always be a safe space for your children, unconditional love that is not affected by their imperfections.

You can’t turn off your emotions, but you can process them and challenge them. Don’t accept unwarranted negativity. Don’t be influenced by perfection mirages.

Love and support your children for who they are, don’t dislike or dismiss them for who they’re not.

We're not saying you can’t encourage or do the best for your children, but you must also accept every child is different and imperfect. Don’t shame or compare your children. Don’t let negativity rule.

You can still encourage and do the best for your children in a happy and supportive environment. Hard work will always bring rewards.

Be happy and content together and your children will still reach their potential.