Your Parents: what will you do the same and what will you do different?

coffeeandbooks

My parents came to visit last week and it made me think a lot about how I was parented as a child.  My relationship with my parents always seemed pretty tumultous but I think there are some things that they did great.  So I am curious, what did your parents do right that you will repeat with  LO?  What do you think they did wrong or what do you think you will  do differently?
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One thing that my mom did that I loved is she created a sense of magic in our world.  For instance,  she would tell us stories about how she was a mermaid.   I don't think we ever thought it was true but I loved the sense of fantasy and creativity she created in our everyday world.   My mom also was never in a rush for us to grow up.  My sister and I played with dolls forever and she never said we were too old for it which I think some parents do.

On the negative side, my parents were just really into demanding unconditional respect.   They put a huge premium on respect in and of itself and I don't think issues of respect will be as important to me.   We'll see....
My mom was also something of a tiger mom, and for many reasons I was terrified of getting bad grades.   I want LO to feel unconditionally loved at home regardless of his school performance.

sundaesprinkles

My parents are great in many ways, but I've already thought of several things I want to do differently.

My parents always bought me almost anything I asked for, and my dad especially would always try to go overboard with everything. And they were fairly poor at the time. For example, when I was two I learned how to do a tumble set and I liked doing it all the time. He was worried about me hurting my neck and got me an Olympic regulation gymnastic mat! When I was 6 they had a trampoline play place in our town and it was all the rage. I loved going there and I asked for a trampoline of my own and my dad bought me one for my birthday that year - and not a little one but the huge rectangular kind. There is one thing he did that I thought was really cool though - I wanted a playhouse (like the simple plastic kind from WalMart). He ended building me one in the backyard complete with a porch light and a working doorbell. They are endless other examples I could list. I know that's probably how he wanted to show his love, but honestly I could have ended up a really spoiled rotten kid. (And honestly I probably was spoiled in some ways.) So I'm going to try not to go overboard with stuff.

There are other things too, mostly relating to how they parented me as a young adult. They still treat me like a child in some ways and our relationship never evolved since I have grown up. Also I just want to have a more open relationship with my children where we can talk about anything. I don't have that with my parents now. 

sundaesprinkles

Oops I forgot to talk about things I want to do the same. My mom always cooked for us and we sat down for dinner as a family. Once I got older (like high school age) she stopped cooking as much but I am greatful for that example. I used to never cook but I have started since having DS and it's important to me that he gets good nutrition and is exposed to a variety of healthy foods especially since I have always struggled with being over weight.

My parents were always so involved which I really appreciated. My mom was room mother and my dad was PTA president in elementary and  he was  president of the parents group when I was in band in high school. My parents attended every performance I ever was a part of, from recitals, dance revues, plays, and parades. My dad was a chaperone for every Mardi Gras parade I was in from elementary through middle school. My mom always would take pictures and video of every performance. That is definitely something I want to do for my kids.

Blueyed228

My parents are great.  They were really young having us and a lot of things they did "wrong" were just because they didnt know better.

My mom was always there.  She was at every school thing, every dance recital, every soccer game.  She was very loving and protective and even though we didnt have much, she made us feel like we did.  I want to be like that.

I was hit as a kid.  With hands, wooden spoons, belts, etc.    I wont do that. 

pnutg

My parents always showed us a lot of love. I've never questioned that or felt insecure growing up because they were always there for me. They (my mom especially) was really interested in my life and my friends. A couple of my best girlfriends are married with kids and they still call my mom for advice sometimes. I hope to be the same way.

One thing I will do better is teach my kids about financial responsibility, saving, investing etc. I feel like my brothers and I had to learn the hard way.

bumpuser3155624

I was raised in a very non-demonstrative family. Hugging and bedtime kisses went away at a young age. So did saying I love you. I definitely want LO to have a more loving childhood.

Money wise my parents did well teaching my sister and I to save and also spend. I hope to pass that along to LO.

Lolalipsy

I like they way my parents taught me humility. I'll always try to make sure that E sees herself honestly.

As for what I will do differently it has to be to save for her and make sure she has a slightly easier start to adult life than I had.

c-elizabethf

My parents also did special things for holidays that became traditions and i still love that they keep doing it. I plan on doing things like that for my kids. My parents were also very involved in many aspects of my life like sports, choir, school...i really appreciated that. They were good parents, they made me feel like i could do anything i set my mind to. And they supported me in pretty much anything i decided. I want my daughter to know that she can come to me for anything, i want her to know how much she is loved and no matter what she will always be loved.

Two things i would do differently is also show my kids about savings and things like that. My parents started getting careless with there money as i became a teenager. Discipline is another thing i would do differently.