I had terrible parents...anyone else?

[PeterPan09]

Man, looking around these days I'm convinced I had the worst parents in the world!

My parents expected me to behave in school, do my homework and get the best grades I was capable of achieving. If there was a conflict between a teacher and me, the teacher was right and I was wrong.

There was NO TV on school nights. I did homework or I read after swim practice.

My parents expected me to do chores at home: making my bed, keeping my room clean and helping out around the house WITHOUT expecting payment!

If I joined a team, my parents expected that I would go to practice, do what the Coach said and stick with it until the season was over even if I didn't like it.

If I misbehaved or didn't live up to their expectations in school or at home-I could expect to lose privileges.

My parents didn't provide alcohol or drugs for parties and I was expected not to use alcohol or drugs at other kid's parties.

When I got my license, I was occasionally allowed to borrow the car-if it was returned without a full tank of gas I didn't get to borrow it again.

When I turned 16, I was expected to get a job in the summer.

It's probably a really good thing I never had kids of my own...the way things are these days if I was anything like my parents I'd be considered abusive!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Man, looking around these days I'm convinced I had the worst parents in the world!

My parents expected me to behave in school, do my homework and get the best grades I was capable of achieving. If there was a conflict between a teacher and me, the teacher was right and I was wrong.

There was NO TV on school nights. I did homework or I read after swim practice.

My parents expected me to do chores at home: making my bed, keeping my room clean and helping out around the house WITHOUT expecting payment!

If I joined a team, my parents expected that I would go to practice, do what the Coach said and stick with it until the season was over even if I didn't like it.

If I misbehaved or didn't live up to their expectations in school or at home-I could expect to lose privileges.

My parents didn't provide alcohol or drugs for parties and I was expected not to use alcohol or drugs at other kid's parties.

When I got my license, I was occasionally allowed to borrow the car-if it was returned without a full tank of gas I didn't get to borrow it again.

When I turned 16, I was expected to get a job in the summer.
It's probably a really good thing I never had kids of my own...the way things are these days if I was anything like my parents I'd be considered abusive!

My parents were worse! LOL. I got a job at 14, and once I started earning a paycheck, I had to pay my mom $35/week room and board.

I am afraid to even mention to someone I am considering charging room and board to my kids when they start working. Someone may call DSS on me.

 

[cheermom1]

I hear ya same with me...but someone needs to tell my dd that..man I swear she refuses to get a job and expects to use the car even though I bought her one and she didn't like it and refused to drive it..well too bad! I expect them to do chores and help out around the house without payment! They live here too and I am not a maid...

 

[jamimb]

Man, looking around these days I'm convinced I had the worst parents in the world!

My parents expected me to behave in school, do my homework and get the best grades I was capable of achieving. If there was a conflict between a teacher and me, the teacher was right and I was wrong.

There was NO TV on school nights. I did homework or I read after swim practice.

My parents expected me to do chores at home: making my bed, keeping my room clean and helping out around the house WITHOUT expecting payment!

If I joined a team, my parents expected that I would go to practice, do what the Coach said and stick with it until the season was over even if I didn't like it.

If I misbehaved or didn't live up to their expectations in school or at home-I could expect to lose privileges.

My parents didn't provide alcohol or drugs for parties and I was expected not to use alcohol or drugs at other kid's parties.

When I got my license, I was occasionally allowed to borrow the car-if it was returned without a full tank of gas I didn't get to borrow it again.

When I turned 16, I was expected to get a job in the summer.

It's probably a really good thing I never had kids of my own...the way things are these days if I was anything like my parents I'd be considered abusive!

WOW! You did have lousy parents!
Thanks for posting this!! I think if more parents were like your parents the world would be such a better place!!!!

 

[stashbin]

I had to clean the house (including my parents' room) every day for free. I had to have good grades or I was in trouble...and if the school ever called my house for anything other than something positive, I was in BIG TIME trouble. My parents NEVER took my side over the teacher's side of the story!

 

[DSNY4ever]

Read 'The Glass Castle' and then you will know you did not have the worst parents

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My parents were worse! LOL. I got a job at 14, and once I started earning a paycheck, I had to pay my mom $35/week room and board.

I am afraid to even mention to someone I am considering charging room and board to my kids when they start working. Someone may call DSS on me.

My parents were worse yet. I started work at 12 and my father took half of each check.

Of course, what I didn't know was that he was saving that for me...

 

[ckay87]

oh yea, kids nowdays are so rotten and their parents are worse. This feels like the daily sentiment around here.

 

[DSNY4ever]

My parents were worse yet. I started work at 12 and my father took half of each check.

Of course, what I didn't know was that he was saving that for me...

Aww, that's cute.

 

[NY Disney fan]

My parents made me clean the bathroom on weekends. I was like WHAT??!!!

 

[cheermom1]

i would like to add a small tid bit..when i was 12 my mom was sick and was in the hospital for a very long time, we didn't think she was going to make it..anyway i started cleaning the house and taking over for her and when she got out and was strong enough she went back to work and I continued to come home and clean and start supper...I was never asked to do it I just did it..so I get very frustrated with my own kids b/c I haven't raised them to have that kind of mentality and yet they still think I am a horrible mom for just wanting them to clean after themselves and be grateful for the things I do get them.

sorry a little vent...

 

[PeterPan09]

oh yea, kids nowdays are so rotten and their parents are worse. This feels like the daily sentiment around here.

It's not just here...I was just watching a TV show where the mother was proudly announcing that she provides alcohol and drugs for her kids because "they're going to do it anyway!". Then there's the woman in my office who spends half a day OTP with her kid's teacher asking them why they are working her little angel so hard-do you know he had a whole hour's worth of HW over the weekend for 6th grade??? HORRORS!!!

I'm sure there are still some great parents out there, and some equally great kids...but sadly, it seems like we don't hear much about them.

 

[PeterPan09]

My parents were worse yet. I started work at 12 and my father took half of each check.

Of course, what I didn't know was that he was saving that for me...

That is SO cool.....

 

[mrsv98]

Read 'The Glass Castle' and then you will know you did not have the worst parents

I just finished this book last night...holy cow! How those kids survived fairly intact is amazing!

 

[wvjules]

I had to clean the house (including my parents' room) every day for free. I had to have good grades or I was in trouble...and if the school ever called my house for anything other than something positive, I was in BIG TIME trouble. My parents NEVER took my side over the teacher's side of the story!

That is kind of sad. How in the world did you manage the WHOLE house every day after school AND mantain good grades? Were you your parents maid? I can see helping out but the above is just a little over the top.

 

[PeterPan09]

I just finished this book last night...holy cow! How those kids survived fairly intact is amazing!

I read it a few months ago and was amazed. I passed it on to a friend and she said it meant a lot to her because if they could survive THAT, she could survive her alcoholic father.

Obviously, I posted the original with tongue firmly planted in cheek. It's simply my reaction to what I have been hearing around me lately.

 

[Arielle22]

I had to share a bedroom with 3 sisters with no A/C, no fan and defintely no TV.

All 11 of us (8 kids, 2 parents and 1 nana) had to share 1 bathroom. No lollygagging, you did your business and got out.

We had to take turns washing the dishes, by hand.

No allowances-If you wanted money you had to get a job.

Clothes were all hand me downs. At season change my mom got out the bags from the attic to see who fit into what.

We all went to a catholic school. When the nuns called your parents you were in trouble!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

My Mother was awesome and fun and consequently I'm a terrible parent just like you had.

Seriously, my grandparents were VERY strict. My Mom swore she would never be like that with her children so I had NO RULES. Seriously, I ran wild. Thankfully, I turned out okay but I parent my children more like my grandparents. It's a vicious cycle in my family! I try to remember this and be more moderate. I would hate to think that my Grandkids are going to be allowed to get away with the stuff I did

 

[merryweather20]

Man, looking around these days I'm convinced I had the worst parents in the world!

My parents expected me to behave in school, do my homework and get the best grades I was capable of achieving. If there was a conflict between a teacher and me, the teacher was right and I was wrong.

There was NO TV on school nights. I did homework or I read after swim practice.

My parents expected me to do chores at home: making my bed, keeping my room clean and helping out around the house WITHOUT expecting payment!

If I joined a team, my parents expected that I would go to practice, do what the Coach said and stick with it until the season was over even if I didn't like it.

If I misbehaved or didn't live up to their expectations in school or at home-I could expect to lose privileges.

My parents didn't provide alcohol or drugs for parties and I was expected not to use alcohol or drugs at other kid's parties.

When I got my license, I was occasionally allowed to borrow the car-if it was returned without a full tank of gas I didn't get to borrow it again.

When I turned 16, I was expected to get a job in the summer.

It's probably a really good thing I never had kids of my own...the way things are these days if I was anything like my parents I'd be considered abusive!

The bolded does sound pretty bad. Taking the word of a random adult over your own kid?

 

[Tinkmom75]

That is kind of sad. How in the world did you manage the WHOLE house every day after school AND mantain good grades? Were you your parents maid? I can see helping out but the above is just a little over the top.

My kids are expected to do their chores. My DD would probably tell you she cleans the whole house when acutally it is usually just picking up and laundry (not all of it). By the way I made her start doing laundry because I got sick of all the clean clothes being put back in the wash after she did the little try on all kinds of outfits and then put them all in the wash after she didn't wear them. My kids are also expected to have good grades and they do. I work full time as does my DH. I fully expect my kids to share in household responsibility. They have plenty of time to play, watch TV or whatever else. My DD just turned 16. I expect her to get a job during the summer. Sorry, but if DH and I are doing all the housework then how will I have time to run them around to sports or friends houses.