Daisies, Orchids, and the Art of Parenting Without Losing Your Mind

So, here’s the thing: parenting is kind of like being a gardener without a green thumb. You love all your kids fiercely, but some of them are roses that practically bloom on their own, while others are delicate orchids that need a little more sunlight, water, and occasionally, pep talks. And just like gardening, there’s no one-size-fits-all instruction manual.

Some kids are daisies….hardy, resilient, and seemingly unaffected by a little chaos. They can survive a missed bedtime or a skipped snack and still sparkle like nothing happened. Then there are the orchids….sensitive, intense, needing just the right balance of care, reassurance, and space. It can feel like the universe handed you a dozen different flowers and said, “Good luck, gardener.”

And here’s the tricky part: kids notice when things aren’t even. A daisy might get more freedom, while an orchid gets more guidance. To them, it feels unfair. But parenting isn’t about fairness, it’s about tending to each child’s unique needs so they can grow in their own beautiful way.

Add in the chaos of different ages and personalities: the pre-teen who thinks they know everything, the toddler who refuses to eat anything but chicken nuggets, the teen who suddenly develops a PhD in sarcasm, and suddenly, you’re juggling authority, freedom, security, and patience like it’s a full-time sport.

Parenting is messy, unpredictable, and often exhausting. But maybe that’s the point. Because when your daisies and orchids finally bloom (each in their own way) you realise that every sleepless night, every tear, every tough conversation was just part of the garden. And somehow, you wouldn’t trade it for anything.

So here’s my question, fellow gardeners: are you watering your orchids enough, or letting your daisies run wild too soon?