Parents: when was the first time your child disappointed you?

Question

My baby isn't yet one, and I'm trying to imagine. When was the first time your kid let you down, you know, ethically? Was it at 2 with the first intentional lie? At age 7 with a streak of pettiness, at age 10 with habitual laziness, at 13 by sassing back? Not that you think your kid is a jerk, you love your kid and believe in them, of course.

But when was the first time you sucked in your breath and thought to yourself, "Ooooh this little one is a flawed human being like the rest of us"?

Answer 1

I would say maybe the first time he hit out of anger (my first son) and with my second son would be the first time he said a bad word (around 18 months old) because he heard his pappy say it and thought he could repeat.  Of course I have had a few moments of disbelief along the way and I am sure many more moments to come but overall they are great kids just have bad moments.  

Answer 2

Oooh...that's tough. As parents, we expect WAY too much from our kids...we want them to be as perfect as they were the day they were born! Any little thing can disappoint when they are small.

  With my firstborn, it disappointed me that he cried sooo much when we went to my mom's for the first time. She has strong opinions on babies who cry too much (and the mothers who spoiled them!), and I was a little embarrassed. Luckily, she went to check on him when her CIO method didn't work, and he puked loads all over her!!! She felt bad for thinking him spoiled, and I was relieved his tummy felt better!

  I always remind myself that these are tiny little humans I'm chasing around all day. What I try NOT to do is remind myself of the little disappointments.

Answer 3

I think this is quite a hard question to answer.The fact is,kids are going to be kids,and its your job as a parent to teach them not to dissapoint you.You should be more worried about how you raise them,and if they are going to dissapoint you as adults because of the way you raised them