What makes a "good parent"?

Question

What is your personal definition of a "good parent"?

What do "good parents" do?

--AND--

What makes you a "good parent"?

Please put explanations behind your reasoning. Thank you for your responses.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions--I'm not looking because I want to be a "good parent" in your eyes. It's more out of curiosity of other people's beliefs.

Answer 1

Being a parent is not simple.. and being a good parent is ever harder...
I think when it comes down to it being a good parent is just doing what you think is right for your children and trying to make the best judgment calls as issues arise. Every person, child and parent is different.. We all have our own ways of doing things and raising our kids.. and that is just part of the beautiful process in what makes people so diverse. Sure there are time that you will reflect on decisions that you made for your kids and think "Good God, what was I doing/thinking".. but as long as you can reflect on that and say "you know what, I may have screwed up.. but at the time i just thought i was doing what was best".. and learn from it and move on.. then you are probably a good parent.
As much as some people would like to think they are.. when it comes down to it NONE of us are perfect parents. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't give up for my son... I love him so much that it brings me to tears... but at the same time I have made plenty of mistakes with him... but even during those mistakes I had his best interest at heart and thought I was doing what was best..

Answer 2

First, two very important rules:
1. Set the example of the person you want your child to become-remeber the old anti-drug commercial- parents who use drugs have chideren who use drugs. That applies to every aspect of raising childeren. If a parent drinks to excess, so will the child; if aparent beats their spouse, so will the child; if a parent cusses and swears, so will the child. Conversely. if a parent shows respect to others, so will the child; if a parent votes regularly, so will the child; if a parent volunteers to help in the community, so will the child.
2. Be involved in the childs life and activities, make every effort to show at up parent teacher conferences, be involved in scouting with your child, not only be there for soccer games and gymnastic meets but make the practices as much as possible. My daughter was a gymnast and i rarely missed a practice and never missed a meet. That does not mean you have to take on the position of being a coach or leader, just be there. I have seen too many disapointed faces at these things because mom and/or dad did not show up.
Other things to remember-
Ask questions-where are you going? Who's going to be there? When are you coming home? etc. Call and verify the answers. Show up unanounced irregularly that way the child doesn't know when mom and/or dad will appear. Try to avoid snooping unless you are absolutely sure they are trying to hide something. Trust but verify.
I told my kids there is nothing more important than education. Homework came first after school, then play time or hanging out with friends.
And probably most important-HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR!!!
And when things go bad and they will, Remember to say someting like this" I'm really mad at you now, but I still love you."
I am a single dad and I raised 3 childeren, 2 sons and a daughter. All 3 have graduated high school and went on to post high school education. I never had a problem with drinking, smoking, teen sex, drugs, or any of the problems associated with the teen years. I like to think it was because I was so vigilant.

Answer 3

a good parent is one that can put their childs needs above their own wants and needs even if it means they go hungry so the child can eat, one who makes sure to hug their child everyday just so the child knows they are special and matter in life, one that teaches a child right from wrong with firm discipline and praise for what was done right, a parent is a good parent for reminding all children it isn't on the outside that matters but you have to look at the inside to find the real prize, one who will read a book with a child when all they want to do is sleep, makes sure they get an education and help them to learn what needs to be learned. In todays society it is sad but more parents are judged to be a good parent because they BUY the expensive games and cell phones or designer clothes, or they run the kids to one activity after another but at the end of the day all a child needs is unconditional love from their parents and their parents to give them the one on one time to KNOW what they are up to and like or dislike, who their friends are or what joke they heard that day. Buying a child whatever they want, signing them up for everything and all of that is fine if you can do it as long as the child knows that every kid can't afford it but that doesn't make them better than anyone else because they can. A good parent will do everything in their power to let their child know they are loved, special, respected, important and always come first but they also let that same child know that everyone is special in their own way and everyone deserves the same respect in life.

Answer 4

I think a lot of praise and recognition for all the good things they do.You need to start this from the time they are very young.you need to bond with them,lots of hugs and kisses-don't shelter them too much or keep them away from what really goes on out there.talk,talk,and talk to them.they should be able to come to you with whatever questions they have,and you should have an honest answer that is age appropriate so they don't go looking for answers somewhere else.good parents stick together and are not easily manipulated by their children,they back each other up on all decisions.parents spend quality time with their kids and don't let the tv or video games do the babysitting.they don't spoil them rotten and buy them the world to show them they are loved,good parents make you earn all that.A good parent is never too tired to play,never too busy to talk or listen and a good parent will tell you to aim for the moon and that even if you miss you'll land among the STARS

Answer 5

The songwriters "very own" the track, no count number who's contained in the band. In different words, if a band has 4 members and in basic terms 2 of them write the track and lyrics then those 2 very own it. If Roger Daltrey had to re-checklist his vocals, then it relatively is surely nice assuiming the Pete Townsend wasn't gonna treaten to sue and Roger substitute right into a contributing songwriter. in spite of the indisputable fact that, there is not any reason for Daultry to choose to alter his vocals. Doing so would, likely demonstrate his limitations (it relatively is the comparable rationalization why Robert Plant won't do a Led Zepplin Reunion) If I happen to get indignant over it, there's no longer implication of possession as a fan. it relatively is like saying, "i'm indignant with your question, yet i'm a fan. So, I now very own your recommendations (if no longer all of you). Plus, claiming possession over something reason your indignant, is the comparable as stealing. No, track does not substitute into the worldwide's belongings (till it Christmas Carrols or "chuffed Birthday", songs so previous it relatively is imposable to hint down the songwriters.) track is partly owned via checklist labels so if an artist does not very own their track (and somebody else did no longer purchase the rights), then the label is granted possession. Artists would desire to and do have the right to toy around with their previous artwork, there are a lot of re-recorded songs and finished albums already obtainable (to no longer point out each and all of the remixes of songs).

Answer 6

I think there are alot of things involves with being a good parent, but in my opinion the most important things are
unconditional Love
Patience
Stability both emotional and Finical.. I am not saying you have to be rich, but I am saying that you need to be able to put a roof over the child's head and make sure they that food on the table every night.
Not Abusing the Child.
kindness
those are a couple of things.

I think I am a good parent because I make sure my son has everything he needs... not WANTS but NEEDS lol. and I put him first. I am not a perfect parent but my parents SUCKED.. I ended up in foster care, so I am Doing everything that they didn't do that I wish they would have. hope that answered your question!!

Answer 7

Hi Lindsey Lovato

Love. Alway's remember,that little people are people also. Love. Commutate with little people as you do with big people, unless you are a jerk with big people. Love. Ask question. Give truthful answers. There is not a Santa Clause. Love. Try to remember when you were a little person. Take time out to talk and listen, ect. Love. Teach them to be honest, by being honest yourself. Love. I am 71 years young. My children ages start at 49 and come down to 13. They remember more than you might think. Not long ago my number two son 47 years old, called on the phone. He said dad, remember when I though that you were an old bastard? I replyed yes. He said I just called to tell you that you were correct and I love you. Sometimes you must be stern. LOVE---LOVE---LOVE. Never allow a child to go to bed angry, or without a hug. By the by, my 19 year old daughters name is Lindsey......... August the 14th 2005 one of my grandsons was killed in an automobile accident. I am greatful that I had told him that I loved him, the prior night. He was 18. LOVE....LOVE....LOVE.

Good luck. Remember to LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great night and better tomorrow.

Answer 8

As a 50 year old person who has been a parent for 23 years, looking back, a good parent is the person that teaches you how to live a sane scheduled productive loving life.
A good parent loves their child but does it with the discipline of teaching them what is best and as they grow explaining and helping them understand why its best.
A good parent always tries to set the right examples.
Children learn by repeating what they see in others.
Good parents point out the differences in right and wrong and explain the choices age appropriately.

Answer 9

What's a good parent? A good parent is someone who puts the needs of their children before their own. Good parents teach their kids values and morals, how to respect one another, and right from wrong. They are there for their children when the child wants to talk and share.

What makes me a good parent? I love them. I am strict and I demand respect in my house, but I listen to my kids when they tell me how they feel about things. I have taught them that there are consequences for their actions, but I am quick to tell them how proud the make me when they do the littlest thing. I would give my life up for the life of my children. They are my focus and my priority. How do I know this is working? I've got great kids! They are kind and thoughtful and polite.

Answer 10

I believe I'm a good parent because I've been honest, open, structured and set examples of good humanity for my children. Having been a single parent for the last 15 years, raising two sons from the ages of 10 & 12, I've been able to share my life's experiences in ways that I felt would enable my sons to learn from both my mistakes and my successes. I've loved them unconditionally but have not supported them unconditionally because life and the real world are very conditional. I've critiqued them, rather than criticize them, through an open door policy of honest communications that has afforded them the opportunities to always feel they could come to me about any and every aspect of their lives without fear of prejudice or retribution. All parents choose different ways of raising their children and in large part those are determined by each parents' beliefs and opinions about rights and wrongs in life. Based on my sons' understandings of those things which I believed were right or wrong and after they reached they age of 15, I began to allow them to make their own choices and decisions about the general daily lives because I felt I had instilled the necessary 'tools' for them to be treated with a greater level of respect and maturity. Provided they always displayed either the ability to make good decisions or the humility and honesty to admit and make right their mistakes then they deserved those rights of choice. Today, they're young men with independent lives though they have much left to learn but I have every confidence that they will continue to grow and mature in responsible, caring and understanding ways. They have now become a reflection of themselves based on their individual application of life's lessons and upbringing and while I'm no longer accountable for their actions, it is their actions in fact that either become my reward or my despair and for now at least I've not found despair in my life.