For those who have children...do you agree with this statement?

Question

Here is something to ponder and please tell me if you agree with this. It really touched me.

Some people measure success by the kind of car they drive, or the fancy vacations they take. But I measure success by the way my child describes me when talking to a friend.

What do you think? I have two young sons, and I'm a single Dad that believes in making sure they are raised as gentleman, so yes I'm a little strict. But this statement really hit home. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes.
Another way to measure your success as a parent is how your children act away from you.
When I went to parent/teacher conferences teachers would say how polite, considerate etc. my kids were. All I could think was we aren't talking about the kid who lives with me.
But who can be on their "good" behavior all the time?
Don't you act your best at work and let it out at home?
When I see my teenagers treat others, even strangers, with respect, say "Yes please, no thank-you" greet family members with sincere hugs and kisses I know I must've done something right.

Answer 2

I'm a single mom and my oldest son is 24 and i had at a young age and we are probably a little more closer then most and one time i heard him tell someone you know what i love about my mom is she is a survivor, my mom has fought all her life since a child and no matter what she is on top and never gives up and thats what i love about her the most. that made my day, he isn't a quitter and a very good man he lives in chicago now and i could not be anymore proud then i am of him. i raised him alone and with success i spoiled him with love and he knows the material things are what we work for and if god allows it to be...

Answer 3

I would judge my successful it by how my children grow up and learn to be happy and successful.
You dont always know if your children are going to like the decisions you make for them when they are younger but you can feel good when they have turned out to be good human beings.
Sometimes it is said "if you teenager hates you, then your doing a good job parenting".
So I guess the statement of how they describe you may not always be accurate. However I am sure as an adult it would be wholly fullfillling to hear your children thank you for bringing them up as gentlemen

Answer 4

Absolutely!

Once I became Daddy my success is now measured by how much they feel loved and secure. I'm a little strict too, but I don't want them growing up becoming criminals.

When people meet me after knowing my sons, it feels like I've succeeded when they tell me all the stuff my boys have said about me. It makes every bit of pain and suffering at their upbringing worth it. It shows I may not be screwing up their lives as badly as I thought.

Answer 5

As I've got older I realize that more of what is really important. That is a great way to measure success and the most important. It shows true priorities in life and is very inspiring. I have a daughter and I am going to think of how she would describe me when she talks to her friends.

Answer 6

Well, I don't have any natural children. I have two step sons who I raised since they were 4 and 5 years old. They are now 15 and 16 years old. When they were little the best thing my older son said was "I don't want to be your step son, I just want to be your son". From that day forward I never introduced them as my "steps".
Even though I divorced their dad, they still come to see me and introduce me as their mom. I feel successful because you always hear such horror stories about step children, specifically teenage step children. And my boys couldn't be better people.

Answer 7

I would say you could measure my success by the the kind of adult my son becomes.


Surely there will be times when he won't think I'm a very nice person, and may describe me as that... but in the end, what he thinks of me has little baring on the decisions I make to ensure his safe, happy journey to adulthood.

:)

Answer 8

I am a single mom of 3 boys, one is already a college student and living on his own, but I still have two young boys to keep raising as good rounded individuals.
Yes, I would prefer my children appreciating they have an excellent mom :) than trying to give them things that are just superficial. It is the love that I have for them that matters and how I raise them.

Answer 9

I understand what you mean, and I agree to a certain extent. However, kids are kids so they aren't always going to talk about you favorably - but in the long run you will have done your job and people will realize they were raised in a very good way.

I teach middle school, so my success as a teacher is not necessarily reflected in the views of all of my students. However, in the long run, they will hopefully see the benefits of my teaching and expectations later on in their schooling and life.

Answer 10

You know you're doing something right when other people let you know how great your kids are! Keep up the good work because it will pay huge dividends later in life. To me, nothing measures success more than a great family!