“I’m 100% honest and truthful with my kids.
No sugar coating or stepping around the answer.
I would rather my kids understand what is going on around them than be sheltered and oblivious.”
Here are the surprising results:
1.
“My parents never wanted to know anything about my life or my mental health.
victorianewhouse
2.
I always say sorry to my kids if Im wrong or snap at them.”
deirdrevtm
3.
“Being monitored during waking hours.
Im not sure my mom knew where I was most of the time during weekends and holidays.
And even in school, everything is documented and fed back.
louiserichardson
4.
It was never an intentional practice, but its nice to hear it often.”
31, Kentucky
5.
You turned on the TV, and you just had to watch what was on.
The onus is on the parent to promote responsible consumption.
And no one wants to hearPaw Patrolwhen they’re trying to eat dinner."
emmac4cd1af4e7
6.
That was always the rule.
It was just a pocket knife, but at least it scared him off."
autumnlee616
7.
“I was born in 1990, and my daughter was born in 2019. adrienoelle2258
8. uniquesalt31
9.
“I would say phones and electronics are probably the biggest thing.
Nowadays an 8-year-old will walk around with access to almost anything imaginable.
sidneyhoward10
10.
“Being 100% honest and truthful with my kids.
No sugar coating or stepping around the answer.
I would rather my kids understand what is going on around them than be sheltered and oblivious.”
sydneydavis1214
11.
“So much of my life is different than when I was growing up.
First off, my dad was a raging alcoholic, and I was the firstborn of four.
Growing up, I had to learn to adapt and got really good at reading people and situations.
I can genuinely remember some instances when I feared for my safety because of my dads drinking.
Dont worry about what others are doing.
You be a kid!'
With us, theyre safe to make mistakes.”
angelinam4d1f1ff14
12.
“They are so much more hydrated than I was.
They always have a water bottle with them at school or in the car.
allisonw4def01c34
13.
“Giving her an option.
It baffles my parents' minds when I give her a choice to pick certain items for dinner.
Green beans or broccoli?
Spaghetti or bow noodles?
Chicken, steak, or no meat?
They just didn’t get it.
“They’re starting to understand, I think.
They were floored that a 5-year-old could be so rational and understanding.
mbarrios56
14.
“I have never spanked my kids.
I talk to them and explain things and feelings.
Ill listen to them and answer their questions.
Also, I apologize to them when Ive messed up.
I wasnt always allowed to express when I was upset, either.”
Never wanted my kids to feel like that.”
iamyaya
15.
If I got sick at school, my grandma would pick me up, not my mom.
“I am at all class parties, school events, and field trips.
37, Utah
16.
Trying to teach or let my children be intuitive eaters.
If they arent hungry, they can leave whats on their plate.
Also, finding a balance with dessert.
Not putting dessert on a pedestal.
They dont have to finish their plate to have dessert.”
33, Canada
17.
“Social media and smartphones have ripped apart so many normal healthy boundaries society once took for granted.
Bullies had little to no power outside of school hours.
There were so many inherent boundaries in personal lives and communication.
It’s a level of social intensity that was only reserved for extremely popular celebrities a generation ago.
Kids and teens deserve better boundaries than what they have today.”
Our daily lives are too valuable to be merely cheap entertainment options in an algorithm.
I want kids to know that.”
35, USA
18.
38, New York
19.
Me and my siblings learned how to manage our emotions as adults.
37, California
20.
“Mental health in schools.
When I was a kid in elementary school, I had horrible anxiety and OCD.
It was hard enough to leave my house, let alone go to school.
I was labeled as a problem and treated terribly throughout my time.
Many adults didnt believe kids could have anxiety.
Now, schools are all mental health-focused!
They have calm-down corners and counselors with tools to help kids.
29, Arizona
21.
31, Missouri
22.
I remember telling all of my kids at least once that the TV is not a touchscreen.
That thought NEVER occurred to me as a kid.”
37, Oregon
And finally…
23.
“Id say communication is a big one for me.
My parents did their best, but they werent good communicators.
I took out credit cards and loans in college because I just didnt understand and made mistakes.”
“My parents also only have high school educations, so that may also be a factor.
37, New York
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
