For all you parent-wannabes...?

Question

What way of upbringing your parents did to you that you would still keep when you have your own kids? And what would you do differently?

As a kid, my cousing was forced to eat stuff she didn't really like. And her mom was real strict while enforcing the eating rule. When she had her own kids, she let them eat whenever, whatever, and how much they liked.

My dad used to count when we ate. Because we would take so long to finish our meals. He would only count like, until 5 and when he's got us chowing down like mad, he'd leave us alone. By the time we're done eating he'd complete his count up till 10.

That's a smart way to discipline your kids. I'd like to do that too someday. Hopefully.

Whoaa!!! I have to defend my dad here. He did that in the mornings, when we had to be ready to go to school and stuff. Y'know.. rush hour. And us kids were like taking our time. And just being kids. Getting 3 kids bathed, dressed up, given breakfast to and drop them off at school. Is not easy when your wife is off to work at 5 at a coffee shop and you have to research for your thesis. So, I guess his discipline worked for us, and we still respect and love both our parents for bringing us up the way they did. Thankyou.

Answer 1

My oldest has now gotten to the point of realization that if she tells me first when she messes up that she gets in less trouble than if I were to find out on my own.

We have an open communication relationship, and she shares with me everything that is going on in her life, and I dont judge her.

I respect my childrens space and give them room to be kids, while in the same breath of air making sure they are doing things the way I raised them to do.

Give your children lots of respect and they give it right back. Dont give your children too much freedom, but dont hover around them so they cant grow.

And finally...

Dont tell your children not to do something that you yourself do. And if your kids make a mistake, dont get all bent out of shape over it. They are kids- they will not be perfect, but they have more time to learn how to do things right.

Just be there for the kids, and learn to listen. Your childrens needs will come WAY before yours.

Oh yeah- and dont buy them every little thing- let them earn some things. I hate spoiled rotten bratty kids. Some nice kids who are spoiled arent that bad, but when they act like the world owes them everything- i blame the parents.

Answer 2

Oh yeah making your kids eat so fast maybe they will choke, Thats a great idea(NOT). Why are parents Hitlers when it comes to eating. When I went to daycare they put all the food all mixed together and you sat there until you ate every last bite, whether you liked it or not. My parents were the type of parents that allowed me to eat what I wanted for supper even if it wasn't what they had made. All the were concerned about was that I got proper nutrition at didnt go to bed starving.

Answer 3

I'm not married yet, but when I do get married and have a family, I'd like to raise my kids in similar fashion to how my parents raised me. However, my parents did spank me, and I won't do that to my kids. I don't think it's effective. Also, my parents chose not to graduate from college, and get married instead. Because of this, my family never had enough money while I was growing up. It was a bit of a struggle sometimes. I'm a year away from graduation, and I plan to stay single until I have that degree and a good job.

Answer 4

We used to have to clean our plate because of the starving children in Africa...

I have a "ONE BITE RULE" where I require my children to eat one bite of everything I cook - even if they know they don't like it...tastes change as we mature and it keeps them from turning their noses up before they taste something. Believe it or not, my son hates nuts and loves p-nut butter. When I went to make peanut butter cookies, he reminded me he hates nuts. Once he tried them, they became is favorite. My boy learned he loves lots of things that he nearly cried about having to eat one bite of! I always let them stop when they are full.
As far as discipline - CONSISTENCY works. My kids called me the eagle because I would swoop down out of the sky to keep a threat...I would say (just once) if you do that again, I will....and if they did it - I did it. They never questioned how much they could get away with because they knew I was for real all of the time, including rewards promised.

Answer 5

Wow, I hope he counted slowly.
When it comes to food forcing, denying, or whatever it's a bad idea. As a nation we are too fat or dying to be too thin. Don't do that to your kids.

Like my folks I hope to pass on being tolerant of all races and religions.

Answer 6

Hugged me
Loved me
Was a mom as well as a friend

Yes, I am all of these to my own kids already

Answer 7

I don't agree with forcing a kid to eat when the he or she is full. That's how you teach kids to overeat, and leads to childhood obesity.

Answer 8

if i ever have a boy i dont care what the laws say. i will still beat his bottom until he cant sit down. and his mom will slap him in the back of the head when he says somthing hes not sposed to or does somthing dumb.

Answer 9

That's not a smart way to discipline...it's not even discipline, it's control and mental abuse.

Answer 10

my children are not allowed to have toy guns or swords, nor are they allowed to have video games, cell phones, rap music, or watch any movie above a G rating without me going to see it first.