Hardest Job Ever

Some days I just want to quit. Like today. I am worn down from constantly feeling inadequate, and like I am not doing my best. And that is exhausting and disheartening to feel so regularly.

Today we were walking home from piano lessons, about a 1km walk that we have done a million times, and Laura was dawdling. Granted Laura had not been feeling well last night (but seemed fine this morning), but even when she does feel fine, she is a dawdler. To put it in perspective, her two year old sister was the one leading our pack. I had a stroller, but not the double, so one of them had to be walking. They took turns swapping out who would ride. Laura was whining, so I'd let her ride, then Rachel would whine, so I'd make Laura walk, etc. I eventually got fed up with constantly asking Laura to keep up, so I just kept walking. Laura was starting to lag further and further behind until she was about 50m behind us. About 3 driveways and obviously always in sight. We waited for her at intersections, and once we had passed the last one before our house, I stopped waiting for her to catch up. I kept an eye on her, but didn't wait. I was trying to teach her that she is responsible for keeping up, and the natural consequence is to get behind. She dawdled down the side of our street, stepping in puddles, and clearly in no hurry to get home. I had taken Rachel in the house, but could still see Laura through the window. Finally she came in.
A few minutes later, I see a cop car drive by. And then he walks up to our door. I assume it must be a mistake. I open the door and say hello. The policeman says, "Is she still here?"
Ahh, this must be a mistake, I have no idea what he is talking about. "Is who still here?" I ask.
"The girl."
A blank stare.
"I got a call saying a three year old girl was out by herself and walked into this house..."
"Oh, well we were just walking home from the library, and she was a little behind me..."
"Oh, I'm sorry for the confusion. Are you the mother?"
"Yes."
He seemed apologetic and sort of like he felt it was a waste of his time, but took down my and Laura's names and dates of birth and left.

Afterward, feeling shaken up, I explained to Laura that the policeman came to our house because they were worried she was lost because she had been dawdling by herself, and could she please not do that again.
She didn't seem too phased by it, but it has certainly put a damper on my day. Ugh.
Part of me is trying to feel grateful that we have caring enough neighbours who want to protect our kids, but part of me is feeling defeated in my parenting, and can I do anything right, ever? And all of the parenting mistakes I have made to date come screaming back to the forefront of my brain in an overwhelming wave reminding me of how inadequate I am.
And so I kind of feel like quitting. Except I can't just do that.