Share the little things you do as parent to be in with a chance of winning a £100 Spabreaks voucher + a copy of Happy by Fearne Cotton

[SorchaMumsnet]

Nobody’s perfect, but when it comes to parenting we often give ourselves a hard time, doubting whether we are doing a good job as we juggle everything life throws at us. It's something Fearne Cotton talks about in her new book, Happy, and to celebrate, Orion want to hear about the little things you do as a parent.

For many of us, life can feel like it's moving too fast, with pressure bearing down on us from all sides - whether that's from work, family or social media. As a result, we find ourselves frazzled, and – too often – feeling blue.

It's a subject close to Fearne's heart. Drawing on her own experiences, and including expert advice, Happy offers practical ways of finding joy each and every day. With workbook elements such as written exercises, simple practical ideas, and visualisations, Happy is full of tricks and reminders to help you start and end the day well, get in touch with your creative side and unlock that inner happiness.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Happy plus a £100 Spabreaks voucher (valid at over 700 spas), just tell us about the little things you do each day that make you a perfect parent, just the way you are.

This discussion is sponsored by Orion and will close at midday on 15 March

Books T&Cs apply

Talk to each DC about their day. Eat together. Be positive and praise them for all their efforts. Laugh a lot.

I always appreciate what I do have even though sometimes I dont feel it - and take each day as it comes! I have my family and friends around me to pull me up if ever I feel down and I do the same for them

Perfect parenting is knowing that you don't have to be perfect all of the time. It really takes the pressure off!
I make a lot of mistakes, we are rarely insta-worthy, but we are happy and have lots of fun together.

For me it's making sure each child gets 10 minutes with just me and them, not doing homework, chores or anything else. Taking the time to just talk to them about what they're doing, how they're feeling, why they're following a certain thought process. It makes me feel like I really understand who they are as people.

Big hugs little hugs just the magic of being with the little one and big ones! I would rather give up my relaxation time to join in their world!

Always making sure I can spend quality time with them each day to do what they want weather that be just talking or to play games with them.

Loving them always - but being honest with them, let them know you may not like their behaviour but will always support them. Giving them the confidence to tell you anything and let them make mistakes. It's easier said than done - especially with teenagers xx laugh often and always kiss goodnight (even on the bad days) xx

Enjoy the moment and make time for a hot cup of tea. I purposely make time to listen to my little one and be engaged with her, this way, when I ask for 5 minutes to myself, or to do something, we have a common ground.

Also, I do find using 'nice' products helps me - it may sound bonkers, but my little one was born poorly and we've been in and out of GOSH since we managed to get heard by the NHS and I find inhaling my botanical handcream, or using my rosehip oil on my face, make me step back into the moment of joy

It truly is the hardest job, and the MOST rewarding job I've ever done

Accept that there is no such thing as a perfect parent, they were not born with a Haynes Operating Manual, and know in your heart that you made the best decision you could at that time for them, and try not to be burdened with guilt if it was not the right one.

Saying 'I love you' every day

Reading the same (sometimes tedious!) book over & over because it's their favourite

Getting down on the floor to play with them (usually cars or dinosaurs)

Actually listening to them / showing interest / focusing solely on them

Lots of praise & as little shouting as possible!

I try not to be my mum, she used to just say "yes dear" without listening which resulted in me almost drowning as a child in the adult size swimming pool when she had assumed I wanted to go in the child's pool.
I really try and actively listen to my dd and show that I care.

I spend the car journey home asking my children about their day so I can feel a part of their school life.

Eating dinner round the table all together, chatting about our day.

Listening to my children laugh, really belly laugh. Love it ❤️

Praise wherever you can - it's too easy to focus on the negatives & not notice when things are going well. My own and all kids thrive on attention - I try to give it in the right way so they don't have to misbehave to get it.

With my children, reading was always important and still is to them nowadays. Listening and hugging them when they need it, plasters on grazed knees and a referee when they argue with their siblings. Giving them experiences in nature and encouraging them to pursue what makes them happy as they grow older.

I was a foster child, so I didn't have any perfect examples of parenting. The one thing I always do is never shout and tell my beautiful son every day, a hundred times a day that I love him, that he's the best thing that ever happened to me and he's one of the loves of my life. I may not know everything about parenting, but I just tell him the things I always wanted to hear when I was a child.

When things go wrong I always feel like a failure as a mum. I still feel like it most days. But I know I love my kids more than anything. And I know that they love their wacky weird mum.

try to never judge.they are growing,the mistakes they make are often for the very first time,and this is through learning from a new experience. we can all judge after years of living through it.but the little ones often no no better.
to listen always.
to love always.
to be there.

The 3L s Love them Listen to them and Laugh with them

Listen and respect them

I always make time to read my children their favourite books as well as made up stories and to listen to them and talk to them.

Cuddles, lots of cuddles and making time each day to listen and find out what is making them happy, sad or worried.

To make time to listen to them, and make sure they know that we're there for them ... always.
To never, ever make them feel that they owe us for the things that we do on their behalf ... the endless cooking, washing, scrubbing, cleaning, the visits to the doctors, the visits to the dentists, walking them to and from school every day, the numerous shopping trips to buy this or to replace that, etc.
And, of course, great big hugs and to let them know that they mean the world! No, not only that .. the Universe!!

Listening! I tell my 3 year old off for not listening but it's so easy to lose focus. Put down the phone and look at them. Engage in conversation rather than just agreeing and really understand what they're interested in xx

Do everything for a little bit longer. Smile that little bit longer, hug just that little bit longer, read and listen that little bit longer, play together that little bit longer. It makes them being small that little bit longer and your days spent making super fun happy memories that extra special bit longer. Relax and enjoy your family more, the housework, shopping, homework will still be done a little later.