Gary in NJ : Sounds like you are doing fine.
For short steep climbs (worst I've done is 37% for a couple hundred feet), I will stand up and power my way to the top. For long moderate climbs (some in Colorado of 6-8% for 20+ miles) I will choose an appropriate gear and remain seated -- but, even then, it feels nice and refreshing to occasionally stand up and work some different muscles. That's what works for me, and that's all that matters to me.