philosophical question:

CalinsBride

What would you say is your main purpose as a parent?

EllaAdam

Helping my daughters become the people they were meant to be and not the people I want them to be.

MuckDiva

To give my child(ren) the tools to become their own person.  We (DH and I) can never control who they will become but we can coach them along the way.

thatgirlang

Raising kids who can become loving, smart, and responsible adults... able to go out and go for what they want... and in turn raise their own kids to be the same way and continue the cycle...

Sonya Flanagan

To raise them to not lie, steal or cheat or in plain terms not be a scum-sucker on society.

CalinsBride

EllaAdam:

Helping my daughters become the people they were meant to be and not the people I want them to be.

That definition is perfect!

RichInLove

To give him the tools (education, love, respect, etc) he needs to navigate his life with passion and integrity.

MrsSchoon04

To teach my children to be independent, self-sufficient, and to do some good in the world. Also, to help them achieve their dreams.

LoveEeyore

I hope to raise my children to develop meaningful relationships with people- to connect, not coexist- seek joy, stand up against cruelty and to have a sense of obligation to the enviroment and society.  Not meaning to sound all hippydippy, but I just want them to be truly happy and I think these are important foundations.

 

EllaAdam

CalinsBride:

EllaAdam:

Helping my daughters become the people they were meant to be and not the people I want them to be.

That definition is perfect!

I think the most difficult part of being a mom is resigning to the fact that you will not be able to dictate who they will turn out to be. The most important job you have is to give them to tools to help them make those decisions on their own.  My first DD is really stubborn and independant -- from day one! I've nurtured that independance completely, as well as her interests in SO many things (we've done a season of ballet, soccer, art, and now she wants spanish and taekwondo). But she does it, figures out if she likes it, and if she doesn't we move on. I want her to have a taste of anything and everything (within reason) so that she personally will choose what it is she wants out of life -- not me cramming something down her throat! I love the person she is turning out to be (she turns 8 in three weeks) and can't wait to see what choices she makes as she gets older. I plan on doing the same with this little girl that is going to be here in a matter of weeks!

CalinsBride

EllaAdam:

CalinsBride:

EllaAdam:

Helping my daughters become the people they were meant to be and not the people I want them to be.

That definition is perfect!

I think the most difficult part of being a mom is resigning to the fact that you will not be able to dictate who they will turn out to be. The most important job you have is to give them to tools to help them make those decisions on their own.  My first DD is really stubborn and independant -- from day one! I've nurtured that independance completely, as well as her interests in SO many things (we've done a season of ballet, soccer, art, and now she wants spanish and taekwondo). But she does it, figures out if she likes it, and if she doesn't we move on. I want her to have a taste of anything and everything (within reason) so that she personally will choose what it is she wants out of life -- not me cramming something down her throat! I love the person she is turning out to be (she turns 8 in three weeks) and can't wait to see what choices she makes as she gets older. I plan on doing the same with this little girl that is going to be here in a matter of weeks!

I just really don't want to be the kind of parent that is controlling. I want my kids to know that I am there to support them, and that they can be totally honest with me, and they are not going to do that if they are constantly afraid of disappointing me. I also really dislike it when parents behave as though their children are their property--like, they invested 18+ years so their return on that investment should be kids who live their lives the way they want them to. I really hope that I am truly okay with whatever my kids decide, as long as they are happy and independent. . .and that I am just fine with letting them make their own mistakes.

b.heather

To raise a good person who will make a positive contribution to society.