do you think you are a....

[smirnoff]

good parent?

[Headbanging Vonnie]

My children tell me they love me so I can't be doing too bad.

[lisaequi]

no

[Emsickle]

My children say they think I am, and a lot of my DS1's friends say they wish I was their mum. Not quite sure what to make of that, but I'd hope that I am the best parent that I could possibly be.

[curlywurly]

Depends how you define good.

I always put my children first, try to meet their needs without making them spoiled (I said TRY ;)). They're always clean and tidy (at least when I send them off to school - when I pick them up, they look like they've been dragged through a hedge backwards).

I try to protect them from the more undesirable/unplesant people/factors in this world - as well as letting them know that not all people are good, and bad things happen.

I strive every day to be a better person - and the reason for that is my children.

If those are the criteria, then yes.

[Debbie32]

Im not perfect but im also not really bad, I try so hard to be the best and spoil them regularly, jake goes to the park everyday (well of its not raining) and I shower them with love, kisses and cuddles

I do struggle though, especially with paul working away loads

[sparklekitty]

I'd like to think i am

Connor says i am so i must be :D

[Jen]

I would like to think so, I suppose only time will tell, when we watch our children grow up into good citizens

[Katiequiggle]

I'll let you know in 20 years time.

[duck_egg]

I'd like to think I am but sometimes I make mistakes. They are happy and clean and fed and I'd do anything to stop them from hurting if I could.

[Tinkabell]

Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

[Suz]

Hmmm.

Define "good parent".

No matter what a parent does, they can't do right for doing wrong. What I may think is good parenting, the next person may think is awful parenting. I like to teach my children about values and manners, some say that's old fashoined. Some like to wrap their kids up in cotton wool which others may think is restrictive as the child can't learn independance. Others like the child to be independant and some think that's bad parenting. Can't win either way.

One of the age old arguments is whether parents work or not. My DD1 had a serious illness as a baby and it took me eight months to pluck up the courage to leave her in the care of a childminder to go back to work. When I wasn't working, I didn't claim benefits as I wasn't entitled because of my then partners wage, but many assumed I did. I would get accused of "scrounging of the state", of setting a bad example to my children, ect. Now I do work, I get accused of "Paying another woman to raise my children". Either way, parents are always slated.

So it doesn't really matter whether I think I am a good mother. Others will always judge as they see fit. Usually others who don't know the first thing about me and who have no children of their own!

[diddlepops]

Depends which child you speak to!! :cheesy: If DD1, at the moment, she would probably say no as I am nagging her too much apparently!

I think I do a decent enough job. I am proud of my children whatever they do and I am always there for them come rain or shine be it to give them a cuddle or my support. I don't say I get it right all the time because I know I don't and I know there are things I could do better but I guess what I am trying to say is that if there was a job description for being a mum/parent, then I think I fulfil the criteria!

:kisshands:to all the good parents on here!

[*debbie*]

no but i try my best and i know my kids love me

[angel1980]

I do the best I can, have made (and still do) plenty of mistakes and feel like I am still learning every day.

But ds is happy and healthy so I guess I can't be going far wrong! :cloud9:

[Girlzmum]

Not at all - I don't have a clue what I'm doing and I'm praying I don't screw them up as I muddle through. I love them more than anything and I would do anything for them, I teach them to respect themselves and others, I'm not afraid to say no and have boundaries but I'm absolutely terrified.

[Mrs L]

I'm doing the best I can, sometimes I get it wrong. Hopefully I get it right most of the time.

[scaramatic]

Dunno... do you?

[Daffs]

I try my best. I'm sure there are better parents around.

My kiddies are healthy, clean, well fed, intelligent and have fairly good manners and are likeable so I don't think I have done too bad thus far?

[smirnoff]

Dunno... do you?

i dont think im a bad parent, i think there are things that i have done which i would do differently now.. but i tell my kids how much i love them and how beautiful and special they are. I am always complimented on how polite and great they are, so im obviously doing something right somewhere.. but i do also believe that there are things that i should be doing more of with them..
i think i have the "mothers guilt" but i do the best job i can.,...

[bikemad]

Wow thats a question-I love ds to death and would do anything for him-I know im a pretty liberal parent with him but he is a well mannered little boy and doesn't act spoilt or owt . There are days when I struggle like hell due to his problems but I do my best n I think I do ok.

I guess others here who have met me with ds would prob tell you how I am as a parent.

As has already been said tho what one person classes a good parent others class bad- take me n Gruff's mam we are both very liberal with our boys and they would be classed by some as not being disciplined enough and having too much stuff etc yet everyone loves our boys and says how polite and well mannered they are-my other sister tho has Ruben n he has a very strict Jehovah Witness upbringing yet he is like the Devil himself and no one n I mean no one will have him cos no one likes him n no one can cope with him. Who is to say who is right itms.

[bikemad]

Not at all - I don't have a clue what I'm doing and I'm praying I don't screw them up as I muddle through. I love them more than anything and I would do anything for them, I teach them to respect themselves and others, I'm not afraid to say no and have boundaries but I'm absolutely terrified.

Ive seen you with your girls and you are a great mum n the girls are delightful.

[bikemad]

I would like to think so, I suppose only time will tell, when we watch our children grow up into good citizens


O id say your a great mam-twice ive seen you wiv Hev n id say your a great mam n she is a lovely young lady.

[Girlzmum]

Ive seen you with your girls and you are a great mum n the girls are delightful.

Thank you!

I guess everyone parents in their own way so who is to say what is good and what is not. I want my girls to be polite young women who know right from wrong but at the end of the day I want for them to be independant and happy - happy being the most important thing a mother can wish for imo.

Any of the mums I've met on here have very happy kids so they're great mums!

[lizzie]

I try to be a good parent but make mistakes like everyone else but i tell them there beautiful ,special , clever and kiss and cuddle them all time and tell them there loved very much but its easy to make mistakes as we are'nt given a book on how to be parents .

[Purplecat]

I hope I am. DD doesn't think so sometimes but she'll appreciate it in the future!!

[Easties]

I try to be but i dont think i am

[Boom]

In theory yes, in practice definitely not. I think I did okay with both of them till they got to about 3 or 4.

They are clean, dressed nicely, have more toys and games than they know what to do with. They eat well, do amazingly well in school and with homework. They're relatively healthy (the recent cancer aside!), neither of them are overweight or unfit. They're very intelligent, and mostly well behaved. They don't wet the bed or have tantrums or any other common childhood difficulties. They are mostly secure and well rounded.

But I don't give them enough time love or attention. Hardly any in fact. I'm more like a custodian than a mummy.

[moomum]

I do my best but generally I think I am doing a bad job

[chocolate70]

Yes when i am refreshed
no when i am tired
when im tired i am not as patient when they argue with each other
when im refreshed we agree a solution

[mumsiejudy]

Like most of you I think I have done my best for my children. There are some things I would handle differently now but it is easier to be wiser after the event but Ilike to think all of mine have tunred out to be caring, responsible adults so maybe I didn't do too badly.

[Sarah]

Yes I think so, mostly. I wasn't when the children were younger as it's such hard work. Having 3 under 5 was tough. I get compliments all the time about how lovely my children are and how lovely we are as a a family and with two teenagers and a 4 year old I must be doing something right!
Sarah x

[poppet]

Yes I think I am a good parent.

Come on ladies, im suprised there arnt more of you singing your own praises.

You should all be patting yourselves on the back for everything you do for your children and famillies.

At the end of the day,children dont come with instruction manuals, we just all do the best we can in our individual circumstances, we feed them and clothe them and love them and teach them right from wrong .... that alone entitles you to say that you are indeed a good parent.

I think we should all take a bit of credit for raising our children this far becasue lets face it, it isnt easy, so... say it loud and say it proud... I am a good mum! :woot:

[Nics n Jeevan]

I think im quite a good parent, my son is healthy, happy, clean (considering i don't have the slightest bit of support from my family i think im doing alright!!!

Can't say that for long though cuz i don't know what im going to be like when i have the lil 1"Doh"

Dp has always called me a brilliant mum:hyper:, so thats good enough for me

[Olive_Oil]

im a great mum! im not a 'perfect' mum (if such a thing exists) - but as mums go, i think i score pretty high :yes:

[sanjan]

I'll let you know in 20 years time.

same here