It’s not about perfection



I don’t think there is any greater challenge in life than parenting. You might dream of being pregnant and putting that tiny baby into the capsule in the backseat of your car for the drive home.

It is such a dreamy start to this season of life.

But pretty soon, we discover that parenting is a relentless role. From the time that baby comes home to the day an adult drives out of the driveway to a new home and future, we are required to keep turning up.

We are called on to provide discipline that will instil resilience and self-control. To foster self-belief when they encounter failure and discouragement. To offer guidance and wisdom as they face challenges and points of decision.

And rarely do these moments come along when we feel at our best. In fact, often quite the opposite.

But we learn the importance and value of turning up. Of just being there. And discovering time after time, that it is not about perfection but consistency, commitment and intent. And it’s priceless.


About Kelley

Kelley is a speaker, author, overseas aid worker and perpetual student. She is passionate about women and gender issues, both in the local and international context, which underpins her enthusiasm for kinwomen and its contribution to women ‘living their finest life’. In 2014 Kelley completed a Masters in International and Community Development before establishing The Foxglove Project. Foxglove is a registered charity focused on supporting international development projects that are sustainable and driven by indigenous leadership. Kelley’s paid work requires her to travel extensively to evaluate and support projects supported by Australian funds. This experience and networking enables Foxglove to partner with outstanding overseas agencies delivering real opportunities for the poor and vulnerable to lead independent self-determined lives. Kelley combines these passions with a love of family and faith. Across more than 30 years of marriage, Kelley and her husband have worked through many of the challenges of building a relationship while raising three sons. Their boys have now finished high school changing the dynamics of family life and relationships. One of her great joys is sharing parenting lessons and learning from good and bad (sometimes disastrous) experiences. She uses humour and common sense to talk about the everyday challenges facing parents in today’s context.