Comments on: As a parent, have you ever doubted your parenting skills?

By: dave3786

dave3786 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:57:00 +0000

theres always times that you can doubt yourself im a single dad of 4 and iv never had any training before i became a dad other than from health visitors and the kids teachers.

I know it could make you feel like a bad parent dont be afraid to ask for help or advise if it helps your child.

By: momof4

momof4 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:06:46 +0000

Are you serious? Daily.

You’d have to be a pretty serious narcissist to think that of the hundreds of parenting decisions you make in a day that you somehow got all of them right.

By: carolinachick495

carolinachick495 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:33:13 +0000

all of the time but as a parent, I believe that the trick is to never let your children see or know that you’re in doubt. Then they’ll know what buttons to push and how to run all over you. It’s some issues, however, that I am adamant about and no one can tell me otherwise. you have so many opinions about how to raise a child and the very best opinion is your own.

By: tessajanell

tessajanell — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:06:26 +0000

I think we all have moments of doubt when it comes to parenting. I think it’s easier to give advice because it is not your child and you can step back and look at it more objectively when you aren’t standing right in the middle of whatever problem it is. I think we all face pretty much the same TYPES of problems over the years, and the only thing you can do is find out what works for others and try it. I try to always start with “I think” or “I did this” when I answer a question because you are right, NO way is the only way. It may be the only way for that person, but all we can do on here is let people know what worked for us and hope that it works for them too, and if not that, something else. I get what you are saying. Sometimes it frustrating to ask a question or even look at others answers because you think to yourself ” my goodness this person is over the top”

By: Chris h

Chris h — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:47:05 +0000

I think every parent has questioned themselves. I think it is normal to question if you are doing things right or wrong.

By: Colleen S

Colleen S — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:12:28 +0000

What parent HASN’T questioned themself at one time or another? It goes along with “not getting a manual” when the child is born. We do the best we can, follow our gut instincts and the wisdom of those who went before us, and take each day as it comes.

Every parent will have some kind of “trouble” with their children, and will have to deal with it, but I don’t think anyone can say “this is the ONLY way to do it,” because each child is different. Sure, some of the basics are standard: provide firm, consistent guidelines; consequences when the guidelines are broken; LOTS of love……but no two children will respond to those things in the same way. Just make sure your child/ren know that you love them unconditionally, and that you’re adult enough to say “I’m sorry….I messed up” when you’re in the wrong. Nobody’s perfect–including Moms and Dads. Hang in there!

By: daniejay

daniejay — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:00:39 +0000

I question my skills all the time! Some days I think I’m raising a couple of heathens. Then I go around some of my friend’s kids (especially the ones who think they got it going on) and I think wow my kids are GREAT.

All kids have their “moments” and as long as the child is top priority in a parent’s life that’s all that matters.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:41:26 +0000

I think every parent doubts their parenting skills at some point or another. You can be confident and knowledgeable but still have doubts. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. (Or is living in a delusional world where they think their children & family are perfect haha). And no one can really say that their way is the only way because all kids are different and respond to discipline techniques in different ways. Even kids from the same families sometimes won’t respond to certain discipline techniques the same way. Part of being a good parent is finding what works for every member of your family. People seem confident here because for the most part I think we’re giving advice based on what has worked for us- not because we’re convinced we’re right about everything lol. =]

By: Kevin C

Kevin C — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:41:13 +0000

If you’ve never had doubts or second-guessed yourself, you probably aren’t a very good parent.

By: GP

GP — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:40:00 +0000

Of course we have had doubts…we are human. Those parents that ’seem’ so confident, etc….they have probably encountered the same problem and can relate, thus giving answers/examples of what worked. There is no such thing as ‘the only way’…..just what works for your family, and when you run out of ideas….you ask others. That is natural. There are questions on here that I do not answer, because I cannot offer any different answers besides what the parent has already tried.