Is it all yelling and crying?

[Hollybolly]

I think its just different with everyone

I only have Luke, and really - every LOVES to tell me how lucky I am because he is so polite, so easy, so well mannered, etc, etc.... Most of the time I say thanks, but every now and then I think to myself, God, lucky???!!!! I just didn't get blessed with a child that knew how to act in this world, perhaps I can take a little credit for my parenting skills???!!!!

My mum, DH's mum & my grandmother all tell me DH & I are tough on Luke... but you know what, I like to draw their attention (especially my mums) to my experience from being a child - I actually think I'm a little relaxed compared to what my parents were like with me & my brother

I couldn't be more grateful though, because I KNOW we are respectable members of the world... and Luke has been raised with the same standards.
He's great because he's great, but I'm not too modest to say that I know my discipline has helped make him the wonderful little boy that he is, too.

I have my moments, but I guess whilst he is an only child, that the stress is minimal as there's no siblings to argue with, but trust me, he has his moments, he's a 9yr old little boy

I teach lots of kids, and I look at families where there are 4+ kids, and they're all the most delightful children you'll ever meet, and then you'll have families where there are 2 children in the family and the kids are a nightmare.... kids are kids, and everyone has their moments, but a large percentage is the way they're raised.

If you're already aware of things like this now, you'll be a fine mum

I think raising your voice is a given at some stage of parenting... can't say that I recall the swearing, but I CAN recall wanting to swear... on many occassions!!!

And, along with Bath, people always comment on how good my child is, so I figure if he's behaving with other people, then he understands respect, so every now & then, we can afford to go off the rails for moments at a time at home

Its not easy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world... Nothing else comes close