If you find yourself wondering whether or not you are a good parent… Maybe this will help? Uncle Donkey’s thoughts about what makes a good parent…
I’ve been a parent for the last 17 years, since my stepson was 1 and a half years old. As a parent myself, a single parent (for the last 5 years), a father to be exact, I have to say… There are definitely times where I don’t think I was being a very good parent or at the very least, I questioned myself. Most importantly though, if I thought it was wrong or I thought I could figure out a better way too parent, I changed the way I did it, so, I was able to recognize it and correct it rather than keep doing it or do it excessively. That’s the important part, being able to identify and correct it. Even if it’s not wrong, if the way you’re parenting your children makes you uneasy in any way, notate it and work on doing things a different way. A way that still works but you don’t have to question whether or not it was right or wrong or too harsh or whatever. Even if it’s not bad parenting, if you feel uneasy during or after parenting your children then you need to know to change your way. A good parent can identify when they feel this way and change the way they do things for the better of their children.
I believe a good parent always, no matter what, puts their kids first before anything else! I’m talking about their wants, their needs, their feelings, and yes, even their actions. Now don’t get me wrong, I know, most people have to work in order to pay for life, but, your children still come first. They are more important than money!
I know it’s a new day and age and things are much different than when I was a child, but, I don’t believe that spanking your child every now and again makes you a bad parent. As long as you aren’t beating them, or using a belt, or a stick like my parents did back in the day and it’s a last resort only option… I don’t see anything wrong with that. In fact, I think sometimes it’s the only thing that can truly correct, or get a child to snap out of a certain behavior.
I think that a good parent is persistent and doesn’t give in. No means no and if it’s a no now, it will always be a no. I believe that A good parent will correct their child no matter when or where if they are doing something or acting in a way they should not be.
I believe that as a parent, a good parent, you make sure that no matter what, your child knows they are important to you. In other words don’t push them away but rather give them excuses to spend time with you. Give them reasons to want to be around you and if they do then soak it up and don’t shun them away. If they need you to do something for them, a good parent does it as soon as possible. A good parent will be there for their child if their child is wanting them. Now, maybe not every time, but most of time… They will be there for things like, award ceremonies, basketball games, or hurt feelings.
I think a good parent makes sure that their children knows that the way they feel, their feelings are important to you and they do matter. For instance… My daughter told me she didn’t like it when I drank alcohol and asked me to quit 3 years ago… Well, guess what? I went from drinking to the point I had a good Buzz at least three or four times a month, to the point where last year I only had 5 beers all year long and in 2024 I’ve only drank twice. A little bit on New Year’s, and then I had a little bit on my birthday.
I believe that a good parent is honest with their children and shows their children how important it is to tell the truth. How important honesty is, whether it’s about something you did or the way you feel. It’s important to be honest and real. As long as my children either come to me and tell me before I find out through somebody else or they are matter of fact and truthful the first time I ask, I won’t be hard on them and I will help them work through it. However if they try to lie, be deceitful, or I have to find out through a third party well after the fact, then we’re going to have issues. It’s important that I’m honest with my kids and they are honest with me. You have to show them that they don’t have to be afraid to be honest. If they get in trouble because they were honest about doing something wrong then next time they’re going to think twice about being honest with you. Think about that.
Last but not least, I think that a good parent knows that it is their decisions today that effect their children’s tomorrow! In other words, you don’t do anything, without thinking about your children and how it will affect them first. I don’t care how bad you want to do it.
Now being a parent is a very complex complicated thing and there are so many other things you need to teach your children, and you need to lead by example and stuff like that but, Aside from the spanking, I think that if you are at least doing these things, you are doing a pretty decent job at being a parent. Let me know how you feel about my thoughts and please like, comment, and share! Have a great day and don’t forget… If donkeydidit, you can too!
Uncle Donkeys Tales 