What do you think makes a good parent?

Question

From when you first see their naked little cute bodies come out crying. to when you see them leave off for college...or even a longer period than that (some parents keep contact with their kids even after that) ...I know no parents or parent is perfect, but what qualities, etc, make a good parent. Please give specific examples.

Answer 1

Trust (always keep what you say),
Understanding (you don't have to always yell, punish, and stuff like that),
Privacy and Space (don't just barge into their room when they are in there, look through it without a good reason (like you suspect they are on drugs), etc.),
Encouragement (don't tell your child that they can't do it, say stuff that lowers their self-esteem, degrade them, etc.), Acceptance (accept them for who they are, what they wear, etc.),
Don't Always Repeat What You Say (this can get annoying), Make Sure They Know They Can Come To You For Anything (every other thing I said comes into this catagory).
Don't Restrict Them Too Much From The Internet (they will eventually begin to chat with their friends online, make friends online, go to sites with objectionable stuff (but will still be for their age limit most likely), and stuff like that. Before they do all of this, explain to them about how this can be bad, what not to give out, etc.)
*Let Them Listen To Some Music (make sure they are mature enough for this one. Not all parental advisory music has that bad lyrics (example: MCRs second album), but some can be too much. If you want to make sure the lyrics aren't too bad, check the lyrics online, and as they get older, start letting them listen to more and more music. If you don't let them listen to the stuff at all or almost none, they will start to want it more because it is forbidden).

*Also goes for movies and video games.

This is all I can think of at the moment, though I think there might be one or two more subjects, but this is enough.

Answer 2

A good parent is nurturing, loving and supportive. You also need to cheer and celebrate their children's accomplishments yet be a shoulder to cry on and help them get back up when they fail at something (and you have to let them fail sometimes). You must give guidance, set boundaries and not always try to rush in and prevent any disappointments (life has disappointments and children have to learn this along with learning about the joys of life).

You respect that each child is an individual with different needs and strengths and you work from there. My youngest is severely autistic and non-verbal...he cannot yet do many things other kids his age can do, but he can (and does) behave properly, follow rules and is a productive part of the family and of his class. You learn all you can about what makes your child tick and you work from there...it is much easier to work with them to mold them than to try to force them all into the same mold and break their spirit.

Answer 3

When the baby is first born your a good parent when you feed, hold, love, kiss,bathe, and teach. When the child becomes older your a good parent when you listen, talk, ask questions, and all the same things as when their babies, when their teens you do all the above AND know where your children are, what their doing and with whom. You trust them as much as teenagers can be trusted, you defend them when they said they didnt do it and someone else says they did. When they get into trouble you stand by them and love them. All children make mistakes it takes a good parent to stand by them help them and love them. Telling them you will always love them and they can tell you anything every single day of their life. When they do well you make a big deal over how proud you are of them. When they make a mistake you tell them how proud you are of them, and always how lucky you are to have them from the day their born until the day you die. Try to ever spank inless he or she has done something that if they were caught they would go to jail over. If they lie you take what they love most talk to them make sure they understand why you did it and why its unexceptable. Punishment is also a big part of love. If you didnt love them you wouldnt punish them, you punish them because lying, stealing, cheating etc is wrong. You dont want to go visit them in jail one day.

Answer 4

A good parent.... I have 4 and my oldest is out of my home now... i have learned that a good parent is the one who loves their child. The parent who teaches their child the hard lessons of life (saving money, respect, courtesy,etc) Looking back on my parenting years i wish i had left the laundry one extra day and played with the kids more. Now th-ey are growing up and i missed alot trying to play super mom.

Answer 5

i think as long as you're trying as hard as you can, when you're a parent you have to be selfless, if it takes working two jobs to take care of your child then that's what you know you need to do. When your little girl first gets her period, she knows she can come talk to you, because you aren't just her mother, you're her mom, and you've been there for her throughout her life. They need to know they can talk to you without just getting disciplined, but for advice. And you're not only a friend but you are a parent and they need to know that to respect you. When they have their soccer games, or ballet recitals, you're ALWAYS there, you don't have to work during it, or come in late for it, you're there to help them put on their cleets, or tutu's, all the way to the end of it to take them out for pizza afterwards. But even if you can't give them everything as long as you know you tried your best, thats when you know you're a good parent, even if they hate you sometimes, you still know you're doing it right.

Answer 6

being able to put yourself in there shoes, and seeing how they see it. understanding them. Dont always be over them telling them what to do or how to do it. let them have some space and figure it out on there own. dont get in there personal life, like read there journal, or e-mails. if you can ask them about that kind of stuff without them stearing away from the question then you know there not into anything bad. be a cool parent.

Answer 7

You must see yourself as a steward. They are a gift and its your responsibility to prepare them for life apart from you, as a friend.

I think it requires several key things....

1. Have a plan, write it down. How will you discipline them, how will you reward them, How will you let them know you love them. When will you spend time with them/Date them etc.
What will you teach them.

2. They must know you love them unconditionally. That means you except them no matter what they do. You cant blow up at them when they make mistakes, you gently guide them. This is a key that keeps them in touch with you after they leave the nest.

3. Don't exasperate them. Be careful not to make them resent you. Make sure your not embarrassing them. Don't be overbearing and controlling. You have to respect their personal space and their personality. You need to know their love language and make sure you don't ever violate that as punishment. This is another key that keeps them in touch with you after they leave the nest.

4. You make them experience appropriate consequences for bad behavior. This is what prepares them for life apart from you.

5. Teach them what you think is important through action.

Answer 8

Respect of your child,
Knowing when to discipline, and when not to
Knowing what your child needs are does not need.
Spending good quality time with your child, it does not matter how long, but what you do in that time.
Being there for your child but also knowing when to let them go through out various times in their lives,
But also know that a child has a will of their on, and despite how well you have raised them, they still will choose a path of their on. sometimes that path is good, and sometimes not, then you have to know when to say no, I am not going to address this or no, I am not going to help you ruin your life. But you also have to know when to say, baby I am here to help just tell me how i can.
Also know when to sit down and take care of your on needs, because sometimes your needs are going to be very important.

Answer 9

Unconditional love. Love while dishing out discipline. Listening to them. They may be small, but they have something to say. Be involved in their lives. Go to their school when they do things. It means alot to them. And last, keep them in church so they get a good foundation.

Answer 10

if they leave for college than you should call them to check on them. if they are still young take care of them and help them in their time of need. An example is when they get hurt or when they are sad, help them.