Parents, if you could do it over, what would you do differently with your kids?

Question

Be as open and detailed as you wish.

Answer 1

I would not have worked at an early age and took care of my kids until they turned teenagers. I believe without me working I could have taught them better about the facts of life and been there when they needed me the most.

To make this answer short I would like to have spent more time with my children while they were young, this part of up-bringing helps kids remembers into their old age of life. Then again they appreciate their parents better and do well in life.

Answer 2

You know, I sacrificed everything I could for my children -- and an Adult Child helped my ex (Abusive, violent sociopath from a short disaster of a marriage -- where the divorce was finalized a decade and half ago) ... to WILLINGLY BURGLARIZE MY HOME in August 2006 (and this was NOT The first time that the ex burglarized my property -- stole from me, stole my identity, or damage/destroyed property -- just another in a long list of problems with this ex -- their father) ...

I would have DEFINITELY NOT sacrificed everything -- and kept some little bit every month to TREAT MYSELF -- for surviving, for thriving, for coming back from the brink of almost financial ruin (due to the divorce settlement I HAD To pay to get out of that short disaster of a marriage) ...

And be MORE Strict with the Adult child than I was -- to contribute more to the family -- because ..

This Adult Child REJECTED Everything I stood for -- HONOR, SERVICE (and that includes the HONORABLE Military Service I accomplished -- and from which I retired), RESPECT for Family and the Law, and to live with a STRICT Moral Code -- plus fight even harder than I did -- and NOT be a peacemaker when the courts bent over backwards to 'protect' the 'rights' of the ex (their father) who was ALSO CONVICTED of abusing and neglecting the children within 6 months of the divorce!

I GAVE too much -- and the Adult Child did NOT Care one bit for me ... I'd give less if I could do it all over once again.

Answer 3

My father was sure to teach us to be loving and forgiving, and we sort of lost that "Hey you can't mess with me!" and also our "That's none of your business!" somewhere along the way. He says if he could do it again, he'd give me more of a sense that I could be "an island."

I myself have nannied for several families, and looking back I wish I had said yes to the kids more than I did. I often said no because I felt unable to take on another task...but a lot of times I was blowing out of proportion what would actually be required of me in the situation.

There ya go, hope that helps.

Answer 4

I would have spent more time enjoying them and less time correcting them. They grow up way too fast.

Answer 5

they are daughters 17 and 22 - probably not give them quite soo much and have more holidays with them

Answer 6

Smile more yell less.