PARENTS: What do you find to be the most challenging about parenthood?

Question

For me, its constantly making sure that my son is not influenced by what other children do (especially by my misbehaved nephew's actions lol)...

Answer 1

Challenging and worrisome are kind of synonymous terms to me.
The challenge for me is to raise them to be right thinking, kind, decent, caring, warm, positive people. To have a mind of their own and positive, future driven goals. To work hard.
The worry is that they will make wrong choices about friends, peer groups, and never reach their potential.

Answer 2

My sons are 1 and 3. Discipline is the hardest for me. I don't like being the "heavy" and I absolutely hate when I am the one that makes them cry. They are exploring their boundaries but they are still so little. I understand what you mean about others influence, especially when it is family that you can't avoid. I was amazed what other parents let their children get away with. Its so much harder when you can't just scoop your kid out of the sandbox and leave and instead you have to stay until the family sings happy birthday. When we are in that situation we just stay with our children, protect them, and make sure they know that the shenanigans going on are not acceptable behavior. The one time we let our 3 yr old play without constant supervision with his more "active" relatives and it was 3 days of hell for me afterward trying to tame his behavior again. Its not much fun for us, but you do what you have to do.

Answer 3

I agree with you about the influence..I also have issues with people pushing their beliefs on my children (at school that is)

Answer 4

For me it is balancing mommy time with "me" time. I don't have any choices for babysitters so I find that the only "me" time I get is when they go to sleep.

Answer 5

Not giving in to their cute little innocent faces!