The role of a parent?

Question

I'm just curious to see what others think (also to see if i am crazy)

Once someone has kids aren't the children supposed to be the center of attention? Are parents supposed to bend over backwards for their children and make sure that they live the best possible life?

I just want to see how other people view parenting.

Anyone can answer

Answer 1

The role of the parent is to guide the child into adulthood to be a responsible, caring and trustworthy person by example and by not giving everything the child wants to him or her. By saying no and meaning it. By setting standards and having morals and living by them. You don't have to bend over backwards to make sure they have the best life possible. Standing up straight and being a good leader is the way to go. You bend to far and your back will break. The child learns you can be broken and walks all over you. Stand straight but not ridged, be firm but able to give and always let them know.. that no matter what.. win or lose, good or bad, they are loved.

Answer 2

The answer to that isn't quite as easy as you might think it is. Yes, a parent's main responsibility in life is to their child(ren), and it isn't to make them happy. It is to keep them safe and to teach them to be moral and responsible. To understand that there are rules to life, as well as consequences for actions.

Many decisions that a responsible parent has to make in the life of a child leads to a child getting upset and being unhappy. Many parents today are interested in being a "friend" to their child, and many of those children are complete brats and very unruly. I have a nephew that is just like that! For those very same reason's. My kids learned respect, and they also learned responsibilities as they were growing up.

A child's perspective of what a parent is, is very different than what that of a real parent holds as a total knowledge of what it takes.  

Answer 3

when someone has kids their life changes completely. the child should be the priority. living the best life possible by being a good role model, teaching them right from wrong. and giving them love. not spoiling them rotton. money cannot buy love..  

Answer 4

i was thinking this earlier today. my mom took the role of 'child' around me turning 14 or so. I be came 'parent' , i learned how to balance HER checkbook, clean the entire house, WRITE her checks, and make sure she had enough money to go on till next pay. At 16, i was doing all the grocery shopping, getting the car inspected, fixed, put gas in it, paying ALL the bills, making sure our lights didn't get turned off, etc.. at 17 i moved out. i graduated highschool at that point and i wanted to get out as soon as possible. NOw, at the age of 27, i am happily married, and we share everything. its nice to be the parent to my own child, letting him live a GREAT life. Yes we WOULD bend over backwards for our child, but they don't need 'smoothered' 24/7. If my child needs help , i help , but not after my child has tried at least 3 times. We offer help to our child when needed.  

Answer 5

To be honest - YES your children SHOULD come first.  But, that doesn't mean they become the center of attention.  Yes, ALL parents want the best for their children - but remember you can't hand everything to them on a silver platter.  Or they will NEVER learn and they end up worse off then if you had done the opposite.

Just remember, your life doesn't END because you have children.  They are an addition to your joys.

Answer 6

It depends if the kids are respectful and if it is material things that you are talking about. NO> It sounds like you are spoiled with the attitude you have.  LOVE is the most important thing not what you buy them.

Answer 7

You give up and sacrifice much when you choose to become a parent.  Sadly, far too many people do not alter their lives once they have a child.  They simply proceed with the same egocentric, selfish attitude they had prior to becoming a mother or father.  If you are going to have a child or children, then do it right or don't do it at all.  As parents, we are responsible for a life and the future of that life we brought into the world.

However, and it is a HUGE however, from personal experience, you can be the best d**n parent on the planet, guide, encourage, nurture, educate, and love with your whole being and still end up with a worthless adult child.  Go figure...

Answer 8

I just had a beautiful baby girl 5 months ago, and she is my world.  There isn't anything I wouldn't do for her.  I want her to have the world and I am doing everything I can to make that happen.  Anyone can be a parent, unconditional love makes a mom or a dad!

Answer 9

NO! Nothing but God should be center of anyone's world.This is what gets parents into trouble. They begin worshiping their children which leads them to be spoiled and losers. I'm a parent of a 3 month old. I believe my job is to make her the best she can be; provide a nurturing loving home where she sees me and her Dad in love and happy, provide a good example of what it means to work and contribute to society; provide a good example of morals, etc. but my job is NOT for her to be the center of my life. YES, she is an extremely important part, but not the center. I want a life too; I want to have hobbies, etc. My husband plays tennis on Friday nights in a league; he needs this. All parents need a life outside of their children; we are people too. Having healthy parents is such a big statement to a child. Yes, I believe in balance. I don't believe a parent clubbing every night is healthy; I believe in balance. Yes, I believe my job is to make her a productive member of society. My job is to give her wings to fly - that's a good education, a good self-esteem, etc. But when I became a parent, I didn't stop being a woman. I want s*x with my husband, I want a life; I want hobbies. I want to do things without her at times. I want to read a book, etc. I want to meditate, but it's all within balance.

Yes, I believe geting to practice on time is important, but I don't think someone should get fired from their job for that. Yes, making sure they are happy, sure. But not to the extreme - if a $200 doll makes her happy, then no. But if a walk to the park will do, then yes. I believe in balance.