Are you the parent you thought you'd be??

[Heaven]

So far I think I am, but I'm not far in.

A lot less patience than I thought I had though

[Trillian]

Ummm I don't really know. We knew what type of parents we didn't want to be, but didn't really have a formed idea of what type we did want to be if that makes sense? I guess we just decided to roll with the punches. As you get older and your children get older your parenting evolves and adapts anyway I've found so the type of parent you wanted to be will probably be different to the parent you are in 20 years time kwim?

[Winter]

Good question Heaven!

I sometimes think I am and then other times I think I'm not at all! I have more patience than I thought I'd ever have in some instances and then in others I have none - 0 to irate in nothing flat! But I try really hard, so I think that counts!

I'd like to get more joy out of it, but I think that is coming now that DD is becoming more interactive. She's funny & cheeky and I like that about her.

BBL, DD isn't settling for a sleep.

[*TripleJ*]

i had hoped i would have more patience but i dont and sometimes i just have to give DS to DH and walk out because i get angry its not his fault its just me being a first time parent and not really knowing wat to do

my nieces mother was totally against smacking when she first had her but has since changed he attitude as this was the only thing that worked for her and her daughter i hope it doesnt come to that for me but it could happen u never know

and i do like the way my mother parents so i do model myself on her where i know a lot of ppl are opposite and dont want to be like their parents

Does that make sense?

[Barb Glare]

I couldn't be more different to the parent I thought I would be (and that's a blessing, really!)
Before I had children I *knew* I would be a very organised mother. No child was EVER going to change my life. I was going back to full time paid work when my first was 6 weeks old. Although I was organised, I was fairly relaxed. My children would go to bed in their own rooms and sleep all night. I would "Breastfeed if I could" but I wouldn't be "one of those women who went on and on about it" and certainly wouldn't breastfeed a child old enough to walk or talk.
Well, the cosmos (and my first born) had another plan for me.
My life has changed more deeply, profoundly and for the better than I could have ever imagined. My firstborn taught me so much about mothering. He latched onto my breast before his feet were even born - and stayed there for four and a half years. He never slept, resisted my efforts at sleep school and controlled crying and gently worked himself into my bed and into my arms. He paved the way for me and his siblings.
I changed my career from teacher (yes, I did go back to paid fulltime work when he was 6 weeks old - what was I thinking? I never did that again after the first year....)
to breastfeeding counsellor (volunteer) and Lactation Consultant (paid) My children do tell me I go on and on about it....
I posted the last of my Xmas cards today - but the mail truck had already gone by the time I got to the local post office - but the thought will be still there when the mail arrives in the New Year... I've bought far too much plastic cr*p for the kids presents. I lose my temper too much with the kids, the house looks like hell and I didn't read to them enough. My sister always laughs at the way I 'tut-tutted' her boys playing with guns when she sees the violent video games my teenage sons play.
Overall, very different - but I couldn't be happier.

[Lolli]

What an awesome post Barb

Nope, I'm not. I'm not as patient or as fun as I thought I'd be. Ds eas too much crap, and walks around with a dummy all day.

But I am a happy mum, they are happy kids, we have a lovely little life. I don't have the energy to be the mum I thought I'd be

[Erin_25]

What an awesome post Barb

Nope, I'm not. I'm not as patient or as fun as I thought I'd be. Ds eas too much crap, and walks around with a dummy all day.

But I am a happy mum, they are happy kids, we have a lovely little life. I don't have the energy to be the mum I thought I'd be

yeah that, well said!!!! ditto!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

But I am a happy mum, they are happy kids, we have a lovely little life. I don't have the energy to be the mum I thought I'd be

:yeahthat:

I got hit hard with my issues and I wasn't ready. Now I don't know if I'll ever be ready to do parenting 'my' right way round.... but we're happy.