What Makes A Good Parent?

I asked some of my students to write an essay explaining their idea of a good parent. Some of them immediately responded with "someone who would buy me anything I wanted" and "someone who would let me sit up late". This is typical of middle schooler, so I was prepared. I explained, "Your parents job is to raise you so that you can be successful as an adult. You will not always get what you want. And they will have to discipline you now and then. Now explain to me your idea of a good parent." This time I received some excellent replies. I have corrected spelling, but everything else is in their own words.

--I think one of the very good traits of a parent is listening and understanding. Children would like to know that they can go and talk to their parents without them getting mad at them. I think this is why many kids get in trouble for dumb stuff like stealing. If they could just tell their parents what they wanted without their parents telling them that it is dumb, and why do you want that, and just making a big deal out of it, maybe they wouldn’t steal.

--Traits of a good parents are to respect your feelings, to care for them and not ask a lot of questions.

--What makes a good parent is when they love, care and believe in you. Not when they punish you. A good parent is someone that you can talk to.

--Family is supposed to be loved and your parents should spoil but not that much. My parents were generous and nice and they’re fun to talk to because they’re always there for you. Sometimes they can be a little rough and mean but they actually really care about you.

--The traits of a good parent are that they love and care for you. They also provide shelter for you.

--I think good parenting is to have some ground rules. Also when doing something wrong they should discipline to where they will really learn from it. Instead of just putting them in a corner. They should also make you respect your elders even if you do not like them.

--A good parent don’t lie to you. You can trust them. You can rely on them no matter what.

Traits of a good parent should be to listen to you when you try to explain things. They don’t just say, “How was your day today” then we just say “good” because if we say the truth they’ll get mad. Basically just we should be able to talk to them.

--I think a good parent is someone who won’t get mad every New Year. And someone who is actually nice.

--What makes a good parent is you can talk to them, help you with your homework, and someone comforts you.

--A good parent is honest.

--A good parent is not too protective. A little protective is okay. But they should be willing to let you try new things.

--A good parent should be nice and pay attention to you.

--Some good parenting traits are not being able to talk on the phone because of bad grades. (Taking away stuff you like the most.)

--I think the traits of a good parent are people who show and mean love. People who play with their kids. And people who share and listen to their offspring.

--I think my mom is a good parent because she gives good advice and I can talk to her and tell her things and I can tell her something if something goes wrong.

--A good parent is trying to make the best out of things. But a good parent is very strict and does their best. Another thing is they will not lie.

--Traits of a Good Parent:
1) A parent should be there when their child needs them the most;
2) Help when your child is down and you need to be there to lift them up;
3) Teach your child the rules that they need to follow.

--Traits of a good parent are parents who you can come to for a problem. And who just won’t go buy you stuff so you can get out of their face. Also good traits of a parent are parents who respect you. Like as in they don’t smoke, and drink around you. And they don’t let you drink or smoke.

--A good parent will comfort you when you are sad. A good parent will help bring you through rough times.

--A good parent will respect your privacy. They will let you keep your room the way you like it (within reason).

--I would want a parent that’s fun and does lost of stuff with you and always supportive of what you do.

--I think that a good trait for a parent would be someone to go to when you’re down. Some one to help you with your problems. Some one who let’s you make your own mistakes. Some one who let’s you live out your dreams and not theirs. And some one who accepts you for who you are.

--Well let’s see, to me I think a parent should be a person that understands your problems, but at the same time is nice and funny & fun but know when to be mad over something serious, and not something stupid.

--Traits of a good parent is that they make sure you are healthy, and ready for the day. Other traits os a good parent is that they help you with homework and spends time with you.

--I think a good parent is nice. A good parent does not have a temper. They should also be able to help you. If you have a problem you can go to them. I think that is a good parent.

--My parents are great parents! They are always there for me and guiding my way. The problem is they never listen to me, like when something happens they blame it on me and don’t let me talk! If they changed that they would be perfect parents!

--I think some good traits of a parent are they will help you on your school homework and if you get it wrong, they will not get mad just tell you to just try again!

--I want a parent who listens to me when I am explaining things and listen to my ideas. I also would like more freedom. I want a parent that is nicer and doesn’t ground me all the time.

--I love my parents. They are so awesome. My parents listen to me when I have trouble on my homework. They are active in the school system, and they believe in what I can do and what I become. My parents are great. They also want to know my grades.

--I want a parent that I can look up to, who I can go to if I need to, who I can go places with. Who I can love, who I can tell stuff to her and she can keep it a secret, when she tells me things I can keep it a secret too. That’s how a parent should be.

--I have good parents because they help me when I need it. They take care of me when I am sick. My Mom and Dad teach me what not to do and what you to do.

--I think parents should not smoke or drink while driving. Or hit and hurt their children. They should feed him healthy food.

--Good parents don't punish you if you tell the truth.

--Good parents don't take out their anger on their kids.

--They should go to special events at school and be proud of us.

--I think a good trait of parents that don’t smoke or drink because that’s just irresponsible. Because they tell us not to so why should they? That’s not right. I think another good trait is that parent’s shouldn’t have friends over and act like complete jerks.

--I think a good parent should spend time with children and should have a good attitude (respect and be nice) with children.

--Good parents give allowances. How else can we learn to handle money?


***I asked my sixth grade classes to write an essay about their Christmas break. It is interesting to see what they think is important enough to include. It is usually gifts, toys, food and places they visited. This year one student wrote an outstanding paper about the true meaning of Christmas.

One word that could describe my holiday break would be boring. Considering that my father, brother, and sister were gone it was just my Mom and I. It would have been much better if my whole family were there. I had received plenty of presents that I desired, but our home felt very empty. Who is to say what was missing, maybe it was the lack of a large Christmas tree, or beautiful decorations all over the house, or maybe it was the fact that the family wasn’t together. I think this proves that Christmas is really not about presents, but about family.
K.W.

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