Celebrating Small Wins: Why Tiny Steps Matter More Than You Think Part 2

Some of the most powerful shifts in parenting are the ones no one else sees. They happen in the split second when you take a breath instead of snapping, when you listen instead of fixing, when you notice your trigger instead of pushing it down. Conscious parenting is less about getting it “right” and more about these quiet inner pivots that slowly change the atmosphere at home. This second post is an invitation to notice those everyday shifts, honour them as real wins, and gently explore how they’re shaping you and your child over time.

Conscious Parenting and the Power of Everyday Shifts

Conscious Parenting, reminds us that real transformation is not about perfect scripts or idealised images of family life. It is about the inner shifts we make. These happen moment by moment as we become more aware of our triggers, patterns, and expectations.

When you choose curiosity over control, or presence over performance, you are creating a different emotional climate at home. That is a small win with a big ripple effect. Dr Shefali emphasises that as we grow in self-awareness, our children benefit directly: they experience a parent who is more regulated, accepting, and emotionally available.

So instead of asking, “Did I get it right today?”, a more helpful question might be:

“Where did I soften, notice, or choose differently today?” Those are your small wins.

Why Small Wins Matter for Mums

For many mums, the pressure to do and be everything can feel relentless. Small wins offer a more humane way of measuring progress. They:

• Reduce all-or-nothing thinking, which often leads to burnout or giving up.

• Help you recognise your efforts, not just outcomes.

• Anchor you in the present, instead of constantly chasing who you “should” be by now.

When you view your day through the lens of small wins, your story shifts. “I did nothing today” becomes:

• “I listened instead of jumping in with advice.”

• “I apologised after snapping.”

• “I took five minutes to breathe before the children woke up.”

These are not minor. They are foundations.

Father and daughter fishing moment

Helping Children Notice Their Own Small Wins

Our children are also under quiet pressure—to perform, achieve, and keep up. When we model noticing small wins, we teach them to value effort, intention, and emotional growth, not just grades or milestones.

You might ask at dinner:

• “What felt like a small win for you today?”

• “When were you proud of yourself?”

• “What did you try that felt hard, even if it didn’t go how you wanted?”

Over time, this builds resilience and a healthier inner dialogue. Children learn that progress isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up.

A Few Reflection Prompts for You

When I think about today, where did I choose curiosity over control with my child? What changed in the moment when I did that?

1.     What is one situation this week that usually triggers me, where I responded even 5% more gently or slowly? What helped me do that?

2.     If my child absorbed my inner dialogue today, what message about mistakes, effort, or being “enough” would they have received? Is there anything I’d like to soften or rephrase tomorrow?

3.     What is one small, realistic way I can bring more presence into our everyday routine (bedtime, mealtimes, school run) over the next week?

Remember, your growth doesn’t need to be loud to be real. The small wins you collect in the margins of your day are already changing you and the emotional world your children grow up in. Be part of our Conscious Parenting Circle, where are conversations are about real world parenting, inner growth and community.