Are you a good parent?

[LaraK]

Yea, I dropped my son on his head when he was 8 days old. Does that make me a bad parent?

My son fell off the bed onto his head twice before he was a year old. The first time was in Disney...my philosophy...no blood, no loss of conciousness...it's all good!

 

[Tybug]

We're a lot alike Goofy... my son when small hated to go to school and gave me a fit every morning when it was time to get dressed. So I packed his clothes in his backpack and took him there in his jammies. Walked him to class and told the teacher his clothes were in his backpack if he decided he wanted to change... walked out of the room and actually laughed.

Only took that one time. Never gave me a fit over it again.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

One more bad parent story: DS refused to get ready for soccer practice. I paid good money for soccer! He said he wasn't going? Well, he is pretty little. So, what did I do? I picked him up and his soccer clothes and threw him into the car naked. that's right...NAKED!!! Drove him all the way across town like that. Stopped at the fields and told him he had a minute to get dressed before I pushed him out of the car! Think he got dressed? You bet your bippy he did...fastest dress ever!

:

OMG that is sooo funny!!!! Bet he went to soccer from then on.

My DS is 20 so most of the difficult parenting is over I think!!! He has turned out to be a good person, a good Christian, has a good, good heart in spite of my parenting skills. He knows I love him, he loves me and respects me.

Have I always made good parenting decisions ..... no way. I look back and wish I had handled some things differently, made some different choices , especially wish I had a lot more patience (not one of my virtues) but there are also lots of things I did right.

I see posts about spanking, tv, food etc and I'm glad those days are behind me. Yes I spanked, we ate junk food sometimes, stayed up late, he was a product of daycare (I had to work, no choice) but he has not suffered from any of that. He told me the other day he would not have wanted any other Mom. I hope that says it all.

I agree with another poster. It's harder to parent the older they get. I look back at his young years and think how easy it was. Those of you with little ones, don't be so quick to judge others with preteens and teenagers... you may very well have to eat your words one day and crow tastes really bad!!!

 

[KikiFan]

It depends which one of my children you talk to...my son thinks I am "the best Mom in the whole world". My daughter...not so much.

I probably shouldn't have had kids, but I did and all I can do now is try my best. I don't have high hopes for having a good relationship with my daughter as an adult. I hope that this "oil and water" thing we have going on will work itself out when she is grown up, but I am sorry to say that I think there is a lot more damage left to be done during the tumultuous teenage years ahead.

Awww Faye don't give up hope. You may be surprised how different things are when she's older. My mother and I had a horrible relationship when I was younger. I remember not eating lunch at school just so I could save that dollar for my "leaving home fund" I was that determined to get away. But somewhere around my mid twenties things stared to change. And when I had my daughter at things really changed. I can honestly say my mother is my best friend now. We talk on the phone daily! Sometimes it takes time and a little wisdom, but it can happen!

I don't think I'm a perfect mom, but I think I'm better then average. There are things I really wish I'd done differently and mistakes I worry how they've effected her. But mostly she's amazing - so I think I'm doing something right... or at least okay!

 

[Bob Slydell]

My kids are still alive and (mostly) happy, so I guess I did ok so far

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My kids are still alive and (mostly) happy, so I guess I did ok so far

I read that as they are still alive mostly and I got worried.

 

[Sandy V.]

I have my "good Mom" and my "bad Mom" moments. With teenagers, you can be doing BOTH at the same time!

The best indication that I've done something right is that both my kids confide in me; sometimes WAY more than I really want to know. But I feel privileged that they place that kind of trust in me to tell me almost everything that's going on in their lives.

As my tag says, Parenting is NOT for sissies! It's one of the hardest and yet most rewarding things you'll ever do.

 

[freckles and boo]

2 - never judge a person's parenting skills by a public temper tantrum. Until you've walked in their shoes you have no idea of the situation. Butt out!

Thanks. I wish more people would recognize this. I have seen the autism ribbon on a few signatures on this thread so I would assume that I am not the only parent with an autistic kid. We are still learning how to parent her and it takes a completely different approach than we used for our older daughter. Her meltdowns don't make her a rotten brat or me a rotten parent.

Now letting my seven-year-old collect and flush the ants that are invading our front door might be perceived as bad parenting, but it beats using ant spray in the house.

 

[FayeW]

Awww Faye don't give up hope. You may be surprised how different things are when she's older. My mother and I had a horrible relationship when I was younger. I remember not eating lunch at school just so I could save that dollar for my "leaving home fund" I was that determined to get away. But somewhere around my mid twenties things stared to change. And when I had my daughter at things really changed. I can honestly say my mother is my best friend now. We talk on the phone daily! Sometimes it takes time and a little wisdom, but it can happen!

I don't think I'm a perfect mom, but I think I'm better then average. There are things I really wish I'd done differently and mistakes I worry how they've effected her. But mostly she's amazing - so I think I'm doing something right... or at least okay!

Thanks for the kind words, Kikifan. Some days it's a real struggle. She is 12 so she's a walking ball of hormones and attitude. She also has ADHD, and a sleep issues. I'm peri-menopausal and there are days I can't even stand myself, so it's a pretty lethal mixture. She is a really neat kid. She has a terrific sense of humour and she is very creative. She is going to be a really great adult, if any of us make it that long!

 

[chobie]

I am a fairly permissive parent. My kids do think of me as their friend, most of the time, and do not usually think I am a mean parent. MY Dh and I have a very open, honest, close and warm relationship with our kids. Our kids are kind, do good in school (well one does better than the other), do not get in trouble at school and behave most of the time because they respect us and cherish our relationship. I realize that I just said a few buzz words that would have me labeled as a bad parent, but I don't think strict parenting is any better than permissive parenting and I'm quite happy with how my kids are.

 

[KikiFan]

Thanks for the kind words, Kikifan. Some days it's a real struggle. She is 12 so she's a walking ball of hormones and attitude. She also has ADHD, and a sleep issues. I'm peri-menopausal and there are days I can't even stand myself, so it's a pretty lethal mixture. She is a really neat kid. She has a terrific sense of humour and she is very creative. She is going to be a really great adult, if any of us make it that long!

Hee! I know exactly what you mean. I'm also peri-menopausal and mine is 12. It's really a bad combo isn't it? Somedays it's a race to see which one of us has the shortest temper! Just stay focused on those good qualities - everything else will fall away. Somedays that works for me for hours at a time

 

[MosMom]

I only let them play with sharp objects on Thursdays. So, indeed I am a good parent.

 

[esoumyekcim]

Just wanted to say to the mom who won't buy her DD BRATZ dolls--good for you! Those things are ugly as all get out and I've watched the show a few times (because it's right on after WINX club, which I've watched since season 1). I have to say..after watching a few episodes of the show, those are NOT the kind of role models I'd want MY dd (if I had one) to imitate. Ugh.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I have my "good Mom" and my "bad Mom" moments. With teenagers, you can be doing BOTH at the same time!

The best indication that I've done something right is that both my kids confide in me; sometimes WAY more than I really want to know. But I feel privileged that they place that kind of trust in me to tell me almost everything that's going on in their lives.

As my tag says, Parenting is NOT for sissies! It's one of the hardest and yet most rewarding things you'll ever do.

LOL I could have written that (except my youngest is 4 and I only have one teen). My teenager tells me a bit more than I want to know, but I'd rather it be like that than the opposite. I just cringe inside and try not to let it show on the outside.

 

[Atlantic]

We are parents of 5 sons, like my husband says.."none of them are in jail"
so we did something right!!!

 

[Planogirl]

I'm a very easygoing parent and don't have too many rules. DS gets lots of freedom as long as he meets his obligations of doing well in school and being considerate of others. So far so good because we have few problems. Does that make me a good parent or just lucky?

 

[LaraK]

Just wanted to say to the mom who won't buy her DD BRATZ dolls--good for you! Those things are ugly as all get out and I've watched the show a few times (because it's right on after WINX club, which I've watched since season 1). I have to say..after watching a few episodes of the show, those are NOT the kind of role models I'd want MY dd (if I had one) to imitate. Ugh.

What adult came up with the idea that half naked, attitude filled teens were a good role model for pre-schoolers? I'd like to smack whoever that it. They're sitting back and patting themselves on the back because they've made boat loads of money, but our daughters are being taught that it's a good thing to dress like a slut (are you allowed to use that word on the dis? If not, sorry mods) and be a brat on purpose.

 

[hentob]

I've put my son on the school bus with no shoes and jacket because he refused to get dressed...at least he knows now that i'm not going to put up with his garbage!!

I think that is good parenting He won't refuse to get dressed again, will he

 

[kaylajr]

My teenage DD tells me I am Mean and don't understand her

My 11 year old says I am the meanest Mom in the world


My answer is always " Good that means I am doing my job"

I would like to be a better parent but hey i do my best

 

[rbuzzotta]

It depends on who you ask in my family. Both me and DH think we are good parents. DD #2 who just turned 11 and DD#3 who will be 9 on Friday think we are great!! Now on to DD#1 who is almost 16!!! We are gay and evil!! LOL!! We are out of touch with what kids do today (actually we are so much in touch that is why we are evil!! LOL).

Maybe some day when she has her own children, although i can't see her even sharing anything of her's with others at this time, maybe she will reflect back on that we were not all that bad!!! LOL!!

Now if I buy her the car she wants for her 16th birthday then I am sure she will like me again for a short while!!! But an Audi TT is out of the question!! so, I will continue to be evil!! LOL! and happy about it!!