Parent's Corner: -Hello Super Human

Connect & Grow Magazine: Issue 22 July 2025

Let’s rip the Band-Aid off, shall we? Here’s a statistic that might sting more than stepping on LEGO at 2 a.m.: our kids will be more influenced by their friends’ parents than by us. Yep. That parent who lets everyone eat Coco Pops for dinner and has a beer fridge bigger than your hopes and dreams? They’re shaping your child’s worldview.

Now, before you fall into a guilt spiral thinking you’ve already failed, take a breath and hear this: you’re not powerless, you’re powerful. You get to build the village that raises your child. That means curating a community that's truly exceptional around your family. People who cheer your kids on, who model kindness, grit, empathy (and who maybe don’t swear too much at sports games… unless it’s finals).

But here’s the tricky bit, sometimes building that village means letting go of the people who drain you. I’m not talking about throwing people out like expired hummus, but being honest with yourself. Ask: Does this person light me up or dim my spark? Are they the type to help you shovel life’s metaphorical crap… or stand there and hand you a smaller shovel?

We’re all doing the best we can, juggling work, parenting, mental load, and whatever new school form just landed in our inbox. But some of us want to grow, evolve, and laugh through the chaos. And others? Well, they’d prefer to stay where it’s safe and complain about the price of avocados. That’s okay too. But you? You get to choose. Choose growth. Choose people who lift your kids and remind you that you’re doing better than you think.

Your community should be like a group hug with snacks. The kind of people who celebrate your wins and hold space when you’re one ‘Mum!’ away from losing it. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being real. And choosing people who are real with you.

So, yes, you can pick your friends. You can pick your nose (not recommended at the school pickup). But you can’t pick your family, which makes it even more important to surround yourself with the people who make your parenting journey lighter, brighter, and a whole lot funnier.

Because at the end of the day, if your kid’s going to be influenced by someone else’s mum… let’s make damn sure she’s awesome.

YouMatterMama

Written by

Julie Mundy

You can connect with Julie here:

www.youmattermama.com.au

#YouMatterMama

(C) Break Free Consultancy 2025

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change