You can be an idealistic parent without falling into the trap of perfectionism.

Your parenting ideals give you a focal point, a sense of direction on your journey.

But perfectionism demands the impossible: Get to the destination without taking the journey! ("If you can't do it right, don't do it at all!")

Is perfectionism keeping you from enjoying your idealistic parenting journey? Do you feel ashamed whenever you fall short of your ideals? If so, you might want to recite this funny-but-true saying instead:

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly at first." :-)