It was one of those days. The kind where nothing seems to go right. The children are arguing over everything, the laundry pile is threatening to take over the house, and dinner is running late again. As you tucked your child into bed that night, you wondered: Am I even doing a good job as a parent?

If you have ever had moments like this, you are not alone. Parenting does not come with a scoreboard, and unlike at work, there is no annual review where someone sits you down and says, “Hey, you are doing a great job!” 

And because parenting is such an emotional journey, it is easy to focus on what is going wrong rather than what is going right. But here is the truth: if you are questioning whether you are doing okay, that alone is a sign that you care deeply about your child, and that is already a good start.

The good news is there are signs, even small ones, that show you are doing better than you think. This post will walk through five everyday indicators that prove you are on the right track.

1. Your Child Feels Safe with You

If your child runs to you for comfort after scraping a knee, shares their worries before bed, or tells you about their day, even the little things, you are doing something right. Children don’t always say, “Thank you for being a great parent,” but their trust in you speaks volumes.

Feeling safe does not just mean physical safety; it is also about emotional security. Your child knows they can come to you without fear of judgment or punishment. This means, even when you have to set rules or discipline them, they still see you as their safe place.

A child who feels safe with their parent grows up with confidence, emotional security, and a strong sense of self. And if you are the person they trust when they need comfort, then you are absolutely doing something right.

2. You Apologize When You Make Mistakes

No parent is perfect. You lose your temper, say things you regret, or make decisions that don’t turn out well. That is normal. What really matters is what you do afterward.

Some parents worry that apologizing to their child will make them seem weak, but it is actually the opposite. It teaches respect and strengthens the parent-child bond. A child who grows up in a home where mistakes are acknowledged, not hidden, learns to take responsibility for their own actions too.

So if you have ever apologized to your child, even for something small, that is a huge sign you are doing okay as a parent.

3. Your Child Is Mad at You

It is not a great feeling when your child stomps off, slams a door, or gives you the silent treatment. Maybe you took away their tablet, said no to a sleepover, or insisted they finish their homework before playing. Whatever the reason, their frustration is loud and clear. And in that moment, it is easy to wonder, Did I handle that right? Am I being too strict? Too harsh?

Here is the truth: If your child is mad at you for enforcing a rule, setting a boundary, or making a decision in their best interest, you are probably doing something right. Children don’t always see the bigger picture in the moment. They want what they want, and when they don’t get it, they react. But that doesn’t mean you have failed; it means you are doing your job as a parent.

Think about it this way: If your child only ever agrees with you and never pushes back, it could mean you are prioritizing being your child’s friend over teaching them valuable lessons. Parenting is not about making your child happy all the time; it is about guiding them to become responsible, kind, and capable adults. And sometimes, that means they won’t like your decisions.

Of course, this does not mean ignoring their feelings. Acknowledge their emotions and show that you hear them, even if your decision stands. It also helps them learn to process emotions in a healthy way instead of bottling them up or lashing out.

So, the next time your child is mad at you because you upheld a rule, take a deep breath and remind yourself: their temporary frustration is not a sign of failure. It is a sign that you are leading, not just pleasing.

4. Your Child Shows Kindness

One of the clearest signs you are doing well as a parent is when your child shows kindness, not just to friends and family but to people they don’t have to be kind to.

Maybe they comfort a friend who’s feeling sad, share their snack without being asked, or hold the door open for a stranger. These small but powerful moments show that they have absorbed the values you have been teaching them at home.

Children are not born knowing how to be kind. It is something they learn by watching, experiencing, and practicing. If your child is showing kindness, it means they’ve been exposed to it regularly, most likely from you.

5. You Ask for Help

Parents are often made to feel like they should have all the answers. But the truth is, there will be days when you don’t know what to do. And in those moments, asking for help is one of the best things you can do.

Help can come in many forms. It might be asking another parent, calling a trusted family member for advice, or seeking out a parenting book or expert. Sometimes, help means letting your partner take over when you are feeling overwhelmed. Other times, it is as simple as texting a friend, “Today was rough. Can I vent?”

And if you think about it, isn’t that exactly what we want our children to learn? We tell them to ask questions when they don’t understand something. We encourage them to seek guidance when they need it. So why should we hold ourselves to a different standard?

Are there tough days? Absolutely. Will there be moments when you doubt yourself? Of course. But parenting is not about perfection; it is about showing up, trying your best, and learning alongside your child.

So the next time you wonder if you are doing okay as a parent, take a step back and look at the little wins. These are the quiet victories that matter.