I am pretty much the polar opposite of my parents in most things except for discipline. I am kind and loving -- as were my parents.

I grew up in the 70's... my parents were children of the 60's. 'Nuff said.

I do honestly believe that my parents did a phenomenal job of raising me (not to brag!) but I certainly have a different way of doing things!

Just curious about others!?

Nope opposite of my parents. My Dad pretty much ignored me for my sister. My mother was so busy that I was left alone to babysit the younger kids and I didn't always feel love from her.

What I did different was that my son came first. I was the Baseball mom, never missed a practice nor a game. I worked jobs that worked around his school schedule so that we could be together after school. I helped with homework and I was the wonder mom that took 4 10 year boys to the zoo without complaining (and managed to not get grossed out in the reptile house)

I was not afraid to show my son lots of love (and still do and he's 22) and I got as dirty as he did in the mud.

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Laura
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I am pretty sure I'm a lot like the mom I have. Which is weird, of course, because you grow up saying "I'll never do that to MY kids when I grow up..."

Then you find out why it was a good idea all along...

I think she's more patient than I am, but my Dad was slightly less patient than I am. I wish I had both of their best traits.

Great question!

No, I'm opposite, too.

My dad was very inconsistant - one time you did something he said nothing, the next time you were grounded for 2 weeks (which was his favorite punishment). He used the belt and was way more physical (belt, hitting, verbal) with my sister. He also hit her and I when we were in college. He was very controlling.

I spanked my kids only a very few times when they were young...only with my hand - I can't imagine hitting them with something and I haven't spanked them since they were about 4 or 5. When I ground them, it's for an afternoon after school or a Saturday morning. It makes the same impression without the ongoing days upon days of punishment. DH & I have made a very hard effort to be consistant. The rules are the rules and they know them.

My parents weren't involved in the few extracuricular activities were had. We are very involved with our girls' activities.

My mom & dad didn't say they loved us much either. We tell our kids every day.

Lisa

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Another opposite parent here. I tell people I think about what my parents did in parental situations and do the opposite.

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"Yesterday my life was duller, now everything's technicolor!"

I parent much differently!! I always tell my kids 'GO TO COLLEGE', always tell them they are pretty, and always tell them I Love Them!! And no I wasn't abused, but yes, I was spanked, and a lot, and spanked for things that are so stupid that when my kids do them, I don't even bat an eye!! And I was spanked with a wooden spoon!! Also, I don't make my kids eat their entire dinner. I also take my kids lots of places so they can experience new things.

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I'm somewhere in between. I think my parents (mostly my mom because my dad was gone working a lot) did a great job for the most part. There are things like discipline that I do differently. My mom could never stick to a punishment and we work hard at sticking to it so the kids know they won't get away with things. I also don't try to give my kids a better life than I did (like my mom did). I had a great life and my kids don't need any more than I did. I see too many of those sorts of kids who have "entitlement" issues...I try to keep my kids from having those.

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I mirror my parents. The best thing they did, is to tailor the punishments to the child. I was never hit or spanked, ever. I followed that. They insisted on family dinner every night, I do too. Do you know how much you find out about teenagers during dinnertime? They made a production out of going for a car ride, or a simple picnic. We all had responsibilities in the house and were not paid to do them. The same with grades, it was expected that you did your best. You were taught to respect the teacher, you didn't have to like her but you had to listen to her. Somehow they both knew when you needed a hug not a lecture. I have wonderful parents and I hope my children think the same of me and their dad

Deliberately different

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Wow, great question.

A little of both I suppose. My parents instilled excellent values, but weren't always involved. We knew we were loved, but it wasn't always said. I didn't have alot to complain about, but I do try to be more connected, which I think that I am.

Melissa