Your childhood

[Ashley]

What did you learn from your childhood that you try or try not to implement in raising your kids?

[Jojo]

Being smacked. Seriously. That was awful and I don't want to put that pain on my child. Maybe just a tap on the tush or hand but to go all out and beat your child is not cool. My mom was mean!

[Meshell]

Praise kids. Let them know when they are doing good things and that you're proud of them. And not to talk down to them and degrade them.

[Farah]

Being smacked. Seriously. That was awful and I don't want to put that pain on my child. Maybe just a tap on the tush or hand but to go all out and beat your child is not cool. My mom was mean!

Yup. That one.

Praise kids. Let them know when they are doing good things and that you're proud of them. And not to talk down to them and degrade them.

That one, too.

Also, allow your children to grow and be who THEY are and not just what you want them to be.

[Elaine]

Praise kids. Let them know when they are doing good things and that you're proud of them. And not to talk down to them and degrade them.
Definitely! :twothumbs:

Also, allow your children to grow and be who THEY are and not just what you want them to be.
That one too. :twothumbs:

Let kids be kids. They get dirty, don't always follow the rules and just want to have fun. If it's not going to do them harm or endanger them just let them do it. (another) :twothumbs:

[Mama Sandy]

Well, the big one was already mentioned. It's not ok to hit the kids. There is a big difference between a hit and a spanking/tap.

For me, something I am learning as I have a teenager now, is that it's tough but you have to let them learn from their own mistakes. Wow, that's a really tough one too because it goes against all those mommy instincts!

[MomHenry918]

Well, the big one was already mentioned. It's not ok to hit the kids. There is a big difference between a hit and a spanking/tap.

Agreed totally. Annie has been spanked twice in her life. Once for breaking free from my hand and running across a busy parking lot, and once for winging a toy at my leaded glass China cabinet on purpose.

I was spanked a few times as a child (we're talking one swift pop to the behind), but I only remember the one time I didn't deserve it. It's a great tool when used in moderation...and at appropriate times.

I'm raising Annie much like my mother raised me. The biggest thing that has been added is to honor and respect people who are different from you. I grew up in a small town where there were no other races, no people with alternative lifestyles, and no people that had any kind of disability. With us living in a virtual melting pot of cultures and lifestyles, it's crucial to teach respect and tolerance. So far, so good!