What are you trying to do differently ...

[TheEditor]

... from how your parents raised you?

My list is a big one, but I'll start with:
1. Take my children seriously
2. Let them explore their whims, however fleeting they may be
3. Be a good listener

[shadowplay]

Don't fight (argue) in front of them.

Teach them to appreciate possessions, don't be wasteful.

Always lend them a token ear, even when they are sounding like a fool.

[TheEditor]

Don't fight (argue) in front of them.

Agreed. Good one.

[kkrapf]

I want to encourage them to be involved in extra curricular activities and to just get involved in things. I don't believe in cramming something down a child's throat, but I think a bit of parental motive force can be a good thing. Sometimes kids just need that extra nudge.

[StickonFreeze]

Turning off the TV.

[locolala]

Don't push them into doing things they don't want to do, like sports.

Don't get more competitive than they do, again regarding sports.

[KatherineA]

Not freak out or say anything because my daughter let my granddaughter get her ears pierced for her 7th - I repeat 7th - (not 17th) birthday.

[JiveTurkey]

I keep thinking about this thread. I really don't think I'm too different from my own mother. She spends a lot of time with Slimmy and I have never felt that she does anything much different than I would.

But as a stepmother, let's just say I couldn't be more different than mine.

[lar]

Listening is so important. Sometimes with the jibber jabber, long drawn out and repetitive conversations where they are unable to get to the point you can tend to tune out or rush them. Try and tune in not out.

[beckythemom]

The biggest is home school, but I think if the resources had been available back then my mom would've home schooled us. Home school in itself affects almost every other area of parenting -- discipline, listening, arguing, extracurricular activities, sports, et cetera -- thus making it different than how my husband and I were raised.

[cindylu]

Not freak out or say anything because my daughter let my granddaughter get her ears pierced for her 7th - I repeat 7th - (not 17th) birthday.

Give her little post earrings. My dad freaked when I pierced my ears when I was 21--birthday gift to myself. Yeah, my dad was a tad conservative.

[lar]

We came up with the age of 10 for pierced ears for our kids so that they could be responsible for taking care of them. Usually when we come up with what we think is a good age for doing something, we stay consistent with each kid. Like my oldest got a cell phone when she was 12 and started middle school, we are sticking to that, even though some may find that to be too early.

[kkrapf]

We came up with the age of 10 for pierced ears for our kids so that they could be responsible for taking care of them. Usually when we come up with what we think is a good age for doing something, we stay consistent with each kid. Like my oldest got a cell phone when she was 12 and started middle school, we are sticking to that, even though some may find that to be too early.

Tenth birthday for me, here, on the pierced ears. It was a good age for me. :)

So far as the cell phone, I think 12 is quite reasonable. It's a very useful tool, not just a way to chat with friends. Kudos for sticking to the same age between kids, though. So often the younger kids get to start doing things earlier than the older kids did, which I suppose is just parental learning curve, but still. I imagine (not being the eldest, myself) that it can suck. ;)

[hillbilly]

I did not know that when your child is throwing a hissy fit that you are to say, "Use your words...use your words...". That is how my daughter is raising her daughter. I used to just ignore hissy fits. New information to me...

[LFE]

Try not to raise them in to many states (we moved every 2 to 4 years).
WV makes state # 2.

[grafxgirl]

I'm really not doing much different from the way my parents raised me. I look back at my childhood and realize now why they did the things they did. They raised 4 kids who did well in school, have good careers, families of their own, never got into trouble such as jail or teen pregnancy.

[grafxgirl]

I did not know that when your child is throwing a hissy fit that you are to say, "Use your words...use your words...". That is how my daughter is raising her daughter. I used to just ignore hissy fits. New information to me...

I tell my kids to stop having a temper tantrum and tell me what they want because I can't help them if I don't know what their issue is. If that doesn't work then I send them to the corner or to their room to finish out their temper tantrum and tell them when they are finished they can come back and see me.

[moe]

I always tell my kids that I love them!

[Chutney Daftcraft]

I won't treat mine like they are furniture. I hated being raised as an ottoman.

[RockCity]

1) not use profanity in front of or around the kids (not working so well)

2) not strike my kids, it's never necessary

3) be supportive, encouraging and proactive with my kids

It's funny, you look back on your childhood and how you were raised and realize that a lot of things could have been better and you swear that you will not do the same for your kids. I think that a good, responsible parent wants more for their kids and wants them to succeed. It's our job to provide them the tools to be the best that they can be. After all, if you raise them right, they will want to take car of you when you are old and feeble.

[StickonFreeze]

I won't treat mine like they are furniture. I hated being raised as an ottoman.

Your parents made you kneel in front of the sofa and they put their feet up on you?

[cjb]

Listening is so important. Sometimes with the jibber jabber, long drawn out and repetitive conversations where they are unable to get to the point you can tend to tune out or rush them. Try and tune in not out.

THAT is a hard one. When you have come home from 10 hours work (w/ commute), have to figure out what's for dinner, pay the bills, fix the water heater, exercise the dogs, get the homework done, all before leaving for that extra curricular activity. Like right now.... :-)

[sidhe]

Take the time to listen to them, sometimes they may have a better idea. Try not to use "because I said so" or "because I'm the mom" unless the house is burning down. When I took the time to explain the how comes, more often than not, they got it. The one thing that hasn't changed and I don't think ever will, don't try to argue with a two year old, they have more energy and they don't want to get it.

[lar]

You are right Sidhe. I have resorted to the "just do it because I said so, I'm the mom" line but kids do have good ideas sometimes.