Do you have regrets about the way you raised your Children?

Question

Is there anything you would change about the choices you made as a parent? What would you do differently?

Answer 1

I regret a lot of things. I regret pushing some too hard and not pushing some hard enough. I regret not spending more time with each one individually, although I did try to find every excuse possible to drag them off with me individually when I went shopping or running errands -- then out for tea and a muffin. But, not enough. I regret not saying "Yes!" more often. I regret that sometimes I was too tired to explain "why."

I regret not living in a more culturally enriching place. I regret not visiting the grandparents more. I regret not having horses sooner. I regret not taking more vacations. I regret that we didn't go camping more. I regret keeping the kids in when they had a cold.

I don't regret stopping the car to look at flowers, rainbows, and the northern lights. I don't regret buying candy at the checkout -- sometimes. I don't regret letting the kids wear their shoes in the house. I don't regret spending the entire day reading through a good book aloud with the kids. I don't regret ten years with no TV.

I don't regret teaching them to respect authority. I don't regret having them do the dishes, feed the chickens and clean the coop, milk the cows, and do their own laundry. I don't regret teaching them to read, write, keep journals, write to friends (with pen and paper, envelopes and STAMPS).

I don't know if teaching them at home was right or wrong. They learned and did very well in traditional studies. They also learned about farming, food, and fences. And they learned to get along with others.

All in all, I did the best I could. Five of the kids are grown, two to go. Every five minutes there is a new decision to make, and I plow right in and make it. Some choices are good, some don't turn out as well. Some probably don't matter as much as I think they do. And, I'll probably continue to have regrets. But I have so much that I am thankful for, and somehow things turn out OK.

Answer 2

I have raised 5 children as a single parent,,i gave them love, guidence and rules,,I taught them to respect both themselves and others,,,I have made my mistakes but I have also learned from them,,,I wouldn't change a thing because now I look at my children and see loving, caring individuals who are now teaching their own children those same basic principals

Answer 3

I can't have such regrets because I choose not to have children. But I think the source of regret for many parents is the underlying assumptions that they know what's best for their children. They can't possibly know without asking, can they?

Answer 4

I would not have whipped my middle boy with the paddle in front of his friends at the bus stop. That is the only regret I have...and I still think of it nearly every day....He is 27 now, 8 back then.

Answer 5

Nope

Answer 6

Oh my yes. I would definitely be more patient with my son, who is physically and mentally challenged. I got it....but almost too late, just what a gift he is to me. I guess I would have been more patient with both my children. And lucky me...even after all that my children still love me, and we are extremely close.

Answer 7

When i had my son i was only 19 and i was alone . i raised him to believe that he was the smartest person in the world , now he doesn't respect people he thinks are of less intelligence than him . i would've raised him to know that knowledge is an unmeasurable thing . and that it matters more how you treat others than how they treat you .

Answer 8

YES !! I Wouldn't have tried to give them everything
That they asked for & Whipped thier A** More. They
are spoiled Brats - But I Love them much......

Answer 9

Nope.

Answer 10

nope my boys are doing well.