What Does “Good Parenting” Really Mean?
Judge Good Parenting?
How do you define a good parent?
Everyone has different answers. Cultural norms, upbringing, values, and experiences shape our definitions. But despite these differences, some universal truths remain when it comes to nurturing a child into a responsible, kind, and secure human being.
What Good Parents Know
A good parent understands this:
You are not your child’s friend—you are their guide.
If your child never tells you “I don’t like you,” you might not be parenting firmly enough. Children need boundaries. Rules build a foundation of safety. Consistency builds trust.
You can still nurture them with love, listening, and freedom to grow—within safe limits. Structure doesn’t mean control. It means support.
How to Practice Good Parenting
Here are a few timeless lessons that contribute to raising healthy, confident kids:
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Love generously. You can never be too loving. Love never spoils a child. Lack of limits does.
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Model respect. Treat your child the way you want them to treat others.
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Tailor your parenting. No two children are the same. What works for one may not work for the other.
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Avoid physical punishment. Spanking, yelling, and public humiliation only teach fear and shame.
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Teach social and emotional skills. Let them express themselves. Listen. Correct with compassion.
“Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.” — W.E.B. Du Bois
What About Public Discipline?
Dad Forces Son to Destroy Xbox: Good Parenting?
A viral video showed a father making his son destroy his Xbox after getting failing grades. Some applauded it. Others called it abusive.
Is this good parenting—or public shaming?
The answer depends on your values. Does the punishment teach responsibility? Or does it fuel embarrassment and resentment? Discipline should correct, not humiliate.
Feel Confident as a Good Parent
“Being a parent: It’s one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. But it teaches you the meaning of unconditional love.” — Nicholas Sparks, The Wedding
If you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, that might mean you care deeply. And that’s a powerful start. No parent is perfect. The best you can do is show up, stay consistent, communicate with love, and forgive your own mistakes along the way.
Your child doesn’t need perfection. They need you—authentically and lovingly involved.