What is a "Perfect Parent"?

[Al and Kate's Mom]

I'm curious to know what everyone thinks of when they think "perfect parent" - I know it'll be different for every person, and maybe I can pick up some hints along the way

To me, a "perfect parent" is one who wants their child to be happy long-term. That means providing them with the guidance and discipline that they need to know to survive in this world, with lots of love and laughter through the lessons.

 

[bananiem]

What is a "Perfect Parent"?
Me.

Seriously, I agree. The best piece of advice I got while teaching was "They have plenty of friends. They need you to be their teacher."
I look at parenting the same way. If I do my job as a parent they'll have plenty of friends. Doesn't mean they always like me, but they'll turn out ok in the end.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I think a "perfect parent" is one that gives their child a lot of love and encouragement. One that supports you in whatever career you want to do in your life, but mainly love.

 

[Tiffer]

I have no idea, I am not one, wasn't raised by one and have yet to meet one.

 

[TheGoofster]

What is a "Perfect Parent"?
Me.

Seriously, I agree. The best piece of advice I got while teaching was "They have plenty of friends. They need you to be their teacher."
I look at parenting the same way. If I do my job as a parent they'll have plenty of friends. Doesn't mean they always like me, but they'll turn out ok in the end.

Great advice. Sometimes the best way to show you love your child is by telling them "no", and if that doesn't work, following up with a punishment.
Some would say that I love my child enough to let him do what he wants, including touching that hot stove. I think real love is stopping you child from touching the stove in the first place.
Right now I am my childrens' best friend, not because I always give them what they want, but because they know that I love them enough to watch out for them, and give them what they need.

 

[bananiem]

I have no idea, I am not one, wasn't raised by one and have yet to meet one.

Hi, my name's Ann.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Not me

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I can safely say that I am not the perfect parent, nor will I ever be. I think you would be hard pressed to find the perfect parent here or anywhere.

 

[HappyLawyer]

No parent is perfect

 

[Robinrs]

I had TWO perfect parents. I was truly blessed.

My parents taught us to be strong and how to survive without leaning completely on them. My Dad taught us that someone was always watching and protecting us. They also realized with 3 totally different children, not one was better or worse than the other, just different.

They worked rotating schedules so we never needed babysitters. They supported us through everything we did, even if it wasn't right for us. They were also there when we fell, wiped us off, chastised us and let us know without words that it was the only way to learn.

They never contradicted each other in our discipline. They stood together through everything, and they were complete opposites in temperament, sound and look. Together, they formed the force that taught me to strive towards who they were.

They were John and Jackie, two people who were married for 61 years and died 6 months apart in the same exact spot, a hospital bed in the house their kids bought them. They were surrounded by their children, their siblings, their grand and great grandchildren who would give their lives for them up till the end.

They were my perfect parents. And I miss them every single day. I only pray that my son will write something similar about me one day. It would be their legacy.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

One of the best comments about parenting I got from my sister (who had older kids), when my daughter, my firstborn was little. I had a very profound statement that it's a wonder that firstborn children turn out because they are really the experimental models and a parent is really learning on them. My sister, who was the mom of 4 children, looked at me and told me that all kids are different and what works on one doesn't necessarily work on another, and therefore, they were all experimental models.

Blew my profound parenting moment out of the water. Also made me realize that kids didn't need perfect parents any more that parents need perfect children. A child who is "perfect" is also a child who is afraid to try and afraid to fail. As a parent, I want to be out trying things with my children. Yeah, sometimes I blow it big time. I know how to say "I'm sorry" when I need to and how to move on. I know how to parent differently for my 4 kids. Or at least I try to do that. I don't always succeed. Sometimes I lose my cool. They were given a mom with emotions and hormones, not a robot. Actually, they were given a hormonally deranged mom some days. But that's ok, because I've gone through the teen years with one DD and have 2 teen sons (and have a little guy who is almost 7yo), so I can understand their mood swings all the better.

So what's a perfect parent? I don't know, but I'm not getting that award and I'd turn it down, anyway.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I had TWO perfect parents. I was truly blessed.

My parents taught us to be strong and how to survive without leaning completely on them. My Dad taught us that someone was always watching and protecting us. They also realized with 3 totally different children, not one was better or worse than the other, just different.

They worked rotating schedules so we never needed babysitters. They supported us through everything we did, even if it wasn't right for us. They were also there when we fell, wiped us off, chastised us and let us know without words that it was the only way to learn.

They never contradicted each other in our discipline. They stood together through everything, and they were complete opposites in temperament, sound and look. Together, they formed the force that taught me to strive towards who they were.

They were John and Jackie, two people who were married for 61 years and died 6 months apart in the same exact spot, a hospital bed in the house their kids bought them. They were surrounded by their children, their siblings, their grand and great grandchildren who would give their lives for them up till the end.

They were my perfect parents. And I miss them every single day. I only pray that my son will write something similar about me one day. It would be their legacy.

What a great tribute! They sound like lovely parents!

 

[Robinrs]

I wanted to add that my Mom's favorite line was "a good mother or father never SAYS they're a good mother or father.... because they never think they did enough."

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[KelNottAt]

A perfect parent doesn't exist during the parenting years. He or she is only recognizable by the character of his or her grown children.

 

[Robinrs]

What a great tribute! They sound like lovely parents!

Thanks T&B... I'm feeling very lost with Christmas so close, we used to call my Mom Kristine Kringle because she did Christmas to the max. It's so hard to be without them this time of year....

 

[Deb in IA]

I don't know what a perfect parent is.

But I do know that my 15 year old daughter, in a rare moment of candor, turned to me and said, "You know, Mom, I really admire you and Dad. You work hard, have a good lifestyle, are fun, and really love me and Mark. I know you are strict sometimes, but you always want us to do our best, and always want to set a good example for us."

Then, I started to tear up . . .

 

[KelNottAt]

I don't know what a perfect parent is.

But I do know that my 15 year old daughter, in a rare moment of candor, turned to me and said, "You know, Mom, I really admire you and Dad. You work hard, have a good lifestyle, are fun, and really love me and Mark. I know you are strict sometimes, but you always want us to do our best, and always want to set a good example for us."

Then, I started to tear up . . .

Awww. That brought a lump to my throat.

 

[kellyg403]

A perfect parent to me is one that has successfully taught their children to grow up, not just grow old.

Its so difficult to not just let life pass you by while you are standing still trying to figure it all out. Regreting too much you can't control.

Kelly

 

[TheGoofster]

A perfect parent doesn't exist during the parenting years. He or she is only recognizable by the character of his or her grown children.

I don't know. My daughter is six and she still thinks her daddy is perfect. How much longer that is going to last I'm not sure, but I sure am enjoying it now.

 

[Michie]

One that doesn't have kids