You are a terrible parent!!!!!!

[raysnkaysmom]

Why don't we keep this thread as why we're horrible parents, and not point out what we feel are others' shortcomings? I feel comments like the above might be what turns this thread into a debate thread, instead of a self-bashing, self-loathing funfest. Some here very well might think you're pointing at them and take offense, KWIM?

hey...who said "some dirty looking person with stringy hair and dirty clothes, with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, with the house filthy dirty, screaming at her kids to simmer down while they gorge on twinkies and chicken nuggets because she's "busy"." was a shortcoming??

 

[PrincessKsMom]

hey...who said "some dirty looking person with stringy hair and dirty clothes, with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, with the house filthy dirty, screaming at her kids to simmer down while they gorge on twinkies and chicken nuggets because she's "busy"." was a shortcoming??

That's my point exactly! Someone who feels they might find some truth in the description would probably be offended. I just felt like if we don't point the finger at each other (either directly or indirectly), then this will continue to be a fun and funny thread. The minute someone feels they're being called out, they'll get defense. If we only talk about ourselves and our own perceived shortcomings, no one else can get upset.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

Why don't we keep this thread as why we're horrible parents, and not point out what we feel are others' shortcomings? I feel comments like the above might be what turns this thread into a debate thread, instead of a self-bashing, self-loathing funfest. Some here very well might think you're pointing at them and take offense, KWIM?

Yes, you're right. I digress. I'm off to find other ways to ruin my kids' lives by pampering myself...honestly, I need to pick a freaking washer and dryer before my contractor kills me and I got all off course here on the DIS.

Back to searching the LG threads...

 

[Pakey]

All 3 of the boys went to sleep away camp. They are now 33, 30 and 28 and managed to live through it but I guess that makes me a HORRIFYING parent also.

I let my youngest, when he was 17, dye (with permanent dye) his hair silver to match his snowboarding helmet.

I take my children, their spouses, their children on vacation and pay for everything, not making them "earn it" in any way. This one got me honorable mention on another board.

 

[Metsfan520]

Thanks! Honestly, you and I should both be members emeritus in the sucky parent club simply for being Mets fans and sucking our poor, defenseless children into our world of pain, loss and disappointment.

I don't have kids (was reading this to see how come you guys are bad parents, LOL), but I do have nieces & nephews that I have personally sucked into Mets fandom. So I am a sucky aunt!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Yes, you're right. I digress. I'm off to find other ways to ruin my kids' lives by pampering myself...honestly, I need to pick a freaking washer and dryer before my contractor kills me and I got all off course here on the DIS.

Back to searching the LG threads...

So that's how you pamper yourself -- finding a washer and dryer? Good luck in your search -- purchasing applicances is a tough one for me. You can spend days searching different website and still feel like you could have gotten a better deal elsewhere.

 

[Becky2005]

Even This is the same kid who thinks prom is just another school dance with more expensive trappings, and unless she has a SERIOUS boyfriend at the time, who is dying to attend, she wants no part of it.

Then you have my DD over here going "what upperclassman guy can I go to the dance with just as friends" since she's a Sophmore this year & Sophmore's are allowed to attend as long as they are the date of an upperclassman. She only wants to go because it's a school dance with the more expensive trappings.

 

[agnes!]

Why don't we keep this thread as why we're horrible parents, and not point out what we feel are others' shortcomings? I feel comments like the above might be what turns this thread into a debate thread, instead of a self-bashing, self-loathing funfest. Some here very well might think you're pointing at them and take offense, KWIM?

Very well-said.
agnes!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Okay, so I never fessed up to why I'm a bad parent.

I'm overprotective, I'm in my daughter's business all the time and I've stifled her growth. I get that, I know it's wrong to the extent I carry it sometimes, but I'm working on it. I have one child, so it's kind of like all my eggs are in one basket and yes, I will admit, that sometimes my self-worth is wrapped up in how well she is doing. Because she isn't always confident in new situations, and maybe I've done that to her by doing everything for her, I find myself having to push her into new situations where she's uncomfortable, in order for her to find her footing and be comfortable. Again, I'm working on it. So next time you see me make a boneheaded post about doing something overprotective, please try to cut me some slack because I am aware of my shortcomings. I'm overprotective and overbearing, not stupid.

I also think, in my own experience only, that parents of only children tend to be a bit more overprotective. Of course, that statement completely flies in the face of my having been an only child who had too much freedom due to a single parent who worked nights. My mom had no choice but to leave me alone at times, or fending for myself, in order to put food on the table. That, I think, is also part of the reason why I'm in my daughter's business too much -- because of work my mom couldn't be there for me, i.e., school plays, awards nights, back to school/parent-teacher conferences, etc. I missed not having anyone there for me and I swore I'd never do that. Just seems I've gone too far to the right now.

Anyway, since everyone else has been kind enough to share their horror story, I thought it only fair to share mine. Do with it what you will, but be gentle.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am a video gamer and see nothing wrong with playing them and liking them.

Oh and we do not belong to any organized religion at all anymore which makes us evil to the core. Mothers run shrieking from us.

Top that.

 

[ChrizJen]

It's so funny this should come up...
I felt like the worst mommy this morning.

DD(2) was a BEAR this morning. ( and I wasn't exactly a ball of sunshine either...LOL) We were all up for a good portion of the night for like the 4th night in a row. DD is having sleep issues.

So anyway, she didn't want to get out of bed, refused to let me dress her, wouldn't walk to the car, etc etc...I'm sure you've all had these days.
Anyhow, we got halfway to daycare, and she's whining about the song that's on the radio. She wants a different song. I was fed up. I said (out loud) that I couldn't wait to drop her off and let her teachers deal with her. I told her I was done with her today... *SIGH* Now I feel bad for having said it out loud. I can imagine saying that to a teenager. But a 2 year old? I'm bad. I feel like the worst mommy. OK, there I confessed. Add me to the list.

And just for the record, I've said this type of thing in jest before...I'm gonna sell you to the neighbors, or I'm gonna send you to the moon. But I'm always at least half kidding. This time I really was fed up and done with her and needed a break...

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Okay, so I never fessed up to why I'm a bad parent.

I'm overprotective, I'm in my daughter's business all the time and I've stifled her growth. I get that, I know it's wrong to the extent I carry it sometimes, but I'm working on it. I have one child, so it's kind of like all my eggs are in one basket and yes, I will admit, that sometimes my self-worth is wrapped up in how well she is doing. Because she isn't always confident in new situations, and maybe I've done that to her by doing everything for her, I find myself having to push her into new situations where she's uncomfortable, in order for her to find her footing and be comfortable. Again, I'm working on it. So next time you see me make a boneheaded post about doing something overprotective, please try to cut me some slack because I am aware of my shortcomings. I'm overprotective and overbearing, not stupid.

I also think, in my own experience only, that parents of only children tend to be a bit more overprotective. Of course, that statement completely flies in the face of my having been an only child who had too much freedom due to a single parent who worked nights. My mom had no choice but to leave me alone at times, or fending for myself, in order to put food on the table. That, I think, is also part of the reason why I'm in my daughter's business too much -- because of work my mom couldn't be there for me, i.e., school plays, awards nights, back to school/parent-teacher conferences, etc. I missed not having anyone there for me and I swore I'd never do that. Just seems I've gone too far to the right now.

Anyway, since everyone else has been kind enough to share their horror story, I thought it only fair to share mine. Do with it what you will, but be gentle.

lol
everyone parents to the best of THEIR ability. Everyone TRIES to do better than their parents did. That's what everyone needs to understand. What is right for one parent, may not be right for another. A good parent will listen with an open mind to advice, but other 'good' parents need to be kind in their words of 'encouragement'...

 

[NHdisneylover]

To the previous two posters We all have a difficult days parenting and are trying issues. PrincessKsmoma--you are aware and working on it which is fantastic ChrizJen--I taught two year old preschool for 5 years (I am weird and like toddlers and teens better than any otehr age groups)--they can be VERY trying. If you were the type of parent who said that all the time in seriousness and felt it was no big deal, then yes that would be a problem. What you did was normal on a rough day and will not scar your daughter one least little bit--give yourself a break and know you are a good and loving mom.

FinallyboughtDVC--I want to join your club to Oddly, I have vauge recollections of being on a thread last year where two of us were the terrible parents and everyone else was not. I think you may have been the other one. Yet, I am not even sure what the thread was about. Clothes, maybe. It seems it was something involving daughters. Probably wasn't even you.
BTW--only child here.
I wonder how horrifying my parents were--they let me be an exchange student to Spain for A YEAR when I was 15. i was an only child and my mom still says letting me go was super hard. I consider that year a turning point in my life and one of the very best things I ever did.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

For the poster who was told that it was horrible that she sends her children to camp for 8 weeks every summer, I would have loved it. My dad used to use sending me to boarding school as a threat when I was a teenager....I was so tempted when he said that to say "Cool...I want to live in California....I can have my bags packed in 15 minutes."

 

[Darsa]

I also think, in my own experience only, that parents of only children tend to be a bit more overprotective.

I am living proof of this!

 

[Pakey]

Oh I forgot my worst offense as a parent. I let my adult sons live at home, not in school, without paying rent. The oldest went away to college and never returned to our home town, but the other two stayed and lived at home until they got married. Without paying rent.

 

[bethbuchall]

I read through this thread and realized that I am a terrible parent.

As I finished the phone rang, and I realized that I am also a terrible daughter. No, my mother didn't say that or even imply that. I just feel a little guilty. We took my oldest to college on Monday, and I never called Mom to let her know how everything went. I had planned on it, but somehow I just let it slip by.

 

[MusiqChic99]

I am living proof of this!

Same here!

 

[MusiqChic99]

Oh I forgot my worst offense as a parent. I let my adult sons live at home, not in school, without paying rent. The oldest went away to college and never returned to our home town, but the other two stayed and lived at home until they got married. Without paying rent.

I lived with my parents until I finished college and met a guy...without paying rent.

My dh makes comments about how my parents raised me too because he had a STRICT dad and couldn't breathe without asking first.

Everyone parents differently. My sister lets her kids drink nothing but soda. My son isn't allowed any. They can sit an eat a whole bag of chips...my son is only allowed a handful.

I am only responsible for my own child. Unless you are abusing your child then I won't be butting in.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

FinallyboughtDVC--I want to join your club to Oddly, I have vauge recollections of being on a thread last year where two of us were the terrible parents and everyone else was not. I think you may have been the other one. Yet, I am not even sure what the thread was about. Clothes, maybe. It seems it was something involving daughters. Probably wasn't even you.

Hadley - it was me. I can't remember what it was either. It was right around the time we were going on the Double Dip - clothes, camp, something. I know you and I had talked about summer camp before.

Doesn't matter what it was anyway...according to the experts, we're simply terrible, sucky, horrifying parents. Period.