Signs you may be a Practically Perfect Parent

This post is brought to you by Ski D'lite, now with 25% less sugar.

I have a confession to make today. My name is Erin and I am a practically perfect parent. Does that sound too braggy? We're not meant to tell people we think we're awesome parents, in fact we're not even meant to think we're awesome parents. But I'm here to change that today, and I challenge you to do the same. Just to make things a little easier for you, I've included a checklist below to help you determine whether or not you are indeed a practically perfect parent.

Below is a list of habits of practically perfect parents. Lets see how many of these habits you have.

• Let your kids stay up well past their bed time simply because it is easier than listening to them complain that they're not tired.
• Spit polish your child's face while strapping them into their car seat because you don't notice every speck of grime until right before you take them out in public.
• Let your children destroy their dinner by eating too many biscuits too close to dinner time (just for five minutes of peace and quiet).
• Allow your children more than 30 minutes a week on an "electronic babysitter".
• Believe your children when they tell you their teeth are clean, even if their toothbrush is bone dry, just this once (and every other time after this).
• Blame any gas that you pass on your infant simply because they are too young to deny it.
• Wash the same load of clothes three days in a row because you're too tired to unload it from the washing machine, hang it on the line, bring it back inside, fold it, put it away...Just the thought of all that activity makes you want to take a nap.
• Refusing to punish your children by taking away their tablet/iPhone/laptop/television privileges because really, that just punishes you.
• Step over the same toy five times a day because you're too busy with every other job you have to do today, and you'll get it on your way back, you promise.
• Eat leftovers for more than one day in a row, because it's easier than coming up with a new meal to plan, shop for, and cook.

How many of you scored a perfect 10? I know I did, and I'm just starting to scratch the surface here. I could spend the whole day listing all the things I do which go against everything a perfect parent would do, but at the end of the day all I need to do is look at my happy, and healthy little girl, and I know despite my flaws, or perhaps because of them, I am an awesome parent. 

Research shows that only 3% of mums in Australia will give their parenting skills a 10 out of 10, but if you ask any child to rate their parent's performance, odds are they will always give their parents a perfect score.  Too often these days we let external pressures get us down. The image of the perfect parent is splashed all across our televisions, our computers, and even our play groups. The pressure this makes us put on ourselves is too much. So before you begin to beat yourself up because you follow the "five second rule" if your kid drops a chocolate on the floor, just remember the best indicator of your skills as a parent is right in front of you, and they always think you're the best parent in the world.  And that makes you a practically perfect parent. You're welcome.

Are you an Australian resident over the age of 18 who likes free stuff? Tell me in the comments below in 25 words or less what makes you a practically perfect parent, and you could win one of two vouchers for a month's supply of Ski D'lite yoghurt. 

This competition is open to Australian residents aged 18 and over. Two winners will be picked based on your answers. Competition ends Thursday 24 September 2015 at 8:00pm. Winners will be announced here and on Facebook and Twitter on 25 September 2015.