From Shame to Authentic Parenting: Breaking Free from the “Perfect Parent” Trap

  "Shame is the most powerful master emotion. It's the fear that we're not good enough." Brene Brown These days, shame is often hard to see, yet it can weigh heavily on parents. It shows up quietly—when you lose your patience, blame yourself for your child’s struggles, or compare yourself to parents online who seem to have it all together. Shame researcher and author, Brene Brown, differentiates shame from other emotions like guilt. Unlike guilt (which says, “ I DID something wrong” ), shame whispers something deeper: “ I AM wrong.” And that belief can quietly shape how you show up for yourself and your kids in ways you may not even realize.   Why Shame Is So Common in Parenting Parenting brings constant responsibility, high expectations from others and yourself, and a real fear of making mistakes. With cultural pressure, family history, and constant comparisons, it’s easy to feel like you’re never enough. Social media makes it seem like everyone el...