For those with children: Do you think you’re a better parent than your parents were?

[ThaVirus]

Discuss

[Jewish Rabbi]

Originally Posted by BWillie

I know I wouldn't be so that's why I never had kids

Thank god.

[DementedLogic]

I'm not in prison, so that's a good start.

[Nirvana58]

My daughter is only 5 so jury is still out.

My parents worked a ton and were very career focus. We were the latch key generation and was basically left to our own devices. They use to drop my sister and I off at a water park every day over the summer as basically our baby sitter at a very young age. I couldn't even imagine putting my daughter in a situation like that.

They were great parents though but definitely a lot tougher/corporal punishment then I am. We will see if my daughter turns into a little shit once she is older.

[Rain Man]

Moving out to a slightly different question, a question for everybody. Do you find that your relationship with your parents was better in childhood or as an adult? In other words, did your relationship improve over time or decline?

Sadly, my relationship with my parents declined notably when I became an adult, and has generally declined a bit more every passing year. Among other issues, they never wanted to evolve into a peer relationship from an authoritarian relationship, even forty years after I became an adult, and it's a continual source of friction.

[Katipan]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Moving out to a slightly different question, a question for everybody. Do you find that your relationship with your parents was better in childhood or as an adult? In other words, did your relationship improve over time or decline?

Sadly, my relationship with my parents declined notably when I became an adult, and has generally declined a bit more every passing year. Among other issues, they never wanted to evolve into a peer relationship from an authoritarian relationship, even forty years after I became an adult, and it's a continual source of friction.

The older I get the more I understand her.
And the less the comprehension affects me, the easier it is to just love her.

I’m obsessed with the feeling my new kitten gives me. I’m an adventurous person where love is concerned and I’d easily choose the kitten over most men.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Katipan

My dad had to carry my birth certificate around in his wallet because people would find a white male with a young brown girl to be odd.

Thats sad. Glad we have moved on, well most have moved on.

I was way bigger than my classmates in elementary school. I was at least a foot taller than most and I was in shape. As a pitcher I threw faster than anyone had ever seen in Springfield(circa 67-69). I would have kids get in the batters box crying cause they were afraid. Sooooo every game there was mom's, dad's coaches etc. demanding my mom produce a birth certificate for me. She carried one on her at all my games.

A lot sillier reason than your more serious reason.

[Katipan]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Thats sad. Glad we have moved on, well most have moved on.

I was way bigger than my classmates in elementary school. I was at least a foot taller than most and I was in shape. As a pitcher I threw faster than anyone had ever seen in Springfield(circa 67-69). I would have kids get in the batters box crying cause they were afraid. Sooooo every game there was mom's, dad's coaches etc. demanding my mom produce a birth certificate for me. She carried one on her at all my games.

A lot sillier reason than your more serious reason.

Their reaction is silly, yes.

But no less silly than the way we treated dads as bumbling dolts who only managed to keep kids alive until mommy got home.

I’m sorry you got singled out.
You are lucky I wasn’t an aunt or something coming to the games.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Katipan

Their reaction is silly, yes.

But no less silly than the way we treated dads as bumbling dolts who only managed to keep kids alive until mommy got home.

I’m sorry you got singled out.
You are lucky I wasn’t an aunt or something coming to the games.

I never took it personally. I was a danger to those kids. I was so much bigger and stronger. It was summer rec ball. There was no such thing as competitive ball back then. I had no idea on how throw a strike so I was wild. Which didn't exactly calm the nervous moms down.
By 6th grade I was 6'2". Stopped growing. I didn't really have any athletic talent, I was just bigger than other kids my age.

BTW, I wanted to play with kids the same size and weight as me but the little league wouldn't allow it. And my Dad never attended one of my baseball games, Ever. How ****ed up is that shit? Maybe that's why I coached my sons teams even in sports I had no clue about(soccer).

[Ming the Merciless]

better in some ways , worse in others

the older I get the more I feel like im becoming my dad

I had a lot of freedoms that I don't give my kids..

the world is different now... its hard to compare but I try and shelter my kids from the uglier aspects of life. This reduced freedom & reduced exposure makes them a little less independent.. every decision has pros & cons but I want them to enjoy being kids as long as possible and also be kind & thoughtful toward others.

there's no one right way to do things and deep down I believe people are pretty set in their personalities from an early age.. like 3.

So I view my job as more of a teacher and the 1st thing any good teacher does is make it fun & get them interested.

so maybe not "better" but different