What Makes A Good Parent?

What makes a good parent? Every parent wants to be a good parent and it's often said that parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world.

Looking after a new baby, dealing with toddler discipline, sleep issues, school-aged children and, later on, teenagers, can be rewarding as well as demanding so here's some ideas to inspire and motivate you when the going gets tough.

Good parenting comes from the heart and involves accepting the uniqueness of your child and each child, if you have more than one. It involves accepting their own individual personality and interests which in turn will develop your child's confidence to be true to themselves. Good parenting is also consistent, loving and sets a good example.

Here's a list of qualities that might be part of what makes a good parent and may help you think about what you would like your own parenting to include:

• spending time together
• being loving and affectionate
• having fun and playing together
• building trust and providing safety
• letting your child know what to expect
• providing clear rules and boundaries
• giving praise and encouragement
• accepting your child just as they are
• fostering a sense of joy and togetherness

Because the image of a good parent is different according to whether you are the child or parent, we thought it'd be interesting to get the different perspectives from children, parents and grandparents and see what answers are most repeated.

What makes a good parent? Views From Parents:

By Helen, mother of Harriet (aged 1 year 2 months)
1. Love and Encouragement - letting your little one know they have you on (and by) their side with the support and love they need.
2. Patience - Giving your child the time to learn and understand all about the world. And also all the patience to get through the tougher moments.
3. Time - You learn more every day about how to become a good parent through the experiences you have with your children.
4. Priorities - Remembering the important things and getting those in order, not forgetting you and your husband/wife and other family and friends as part of the equation.
5. Boundaries - Teaching your little ones what they can and can't do.

By Father of Anna (aged 6 years 7 months) and Rupert (aged 4 years and 7 months)
1. keeps your children safe
2. keeps your children healthy
3. attends to the children and the parents needs
4. knows the difference between the childrens' needs and the parents needs

By Lucy, mother of Beatrice (aged 4 year 1 month) and Rose (aged 1 year and 4 months)
1. Loving your child no matter what
2. Accepting of child’s personality and ability
3. Patience
4. Having empathy
5. Ability to listen to your child

By Father of 2 girls, 1 year and 4 years
1. Spend time with your kids most days
2. Be home for family meals
3. Pay attention to what the kids say and do and respond to them
4. Try to see things from their perspective
5. Play with them

By Shirley, mother of Archie, aged 4
1. Love everything about them
2. Help them be their unique selves
3. Live by the values you would like them to adopt
4. Grant them their independence
5. Do what you say you will

By Claire, mother of 3 (aged 2, 5 and 7)
1. gives time and attention to their children
2. gives love and care to their children
3. looks after the physical well being through a good diet, exercise and enough rest
4. is flexible and tolerant
5. gives praise and encouragement

What Makes A Good Parent? Views From Grandparents

By Marjorie, grandparent to 15 children 1 - 19 years
1. to have time to listen
2. to encourage them to become independent yet be there for them at all times when needed
3. to encourage them to share their possessions, their time and their talents
4. to make time to have fun with their children and to encourage them to enjoy the simple things in life
5. to feed them healthily and to make sure they get enough time for school work, exercise, rest and play

What Makes A Good Parent? Views From Children

By Rupert aged 4
1. gives me lots of presents and sweets
2. plays with me and has lots of fun
3. gives cuddles and lets me sit on their lap
4. gives me food I like

By Anna aged 6
1. gives them lots of attention
2. keeps their children healthy
3. arranges for their children to go to school early enough
4. says no when their children asks for loads of sweets
5. doesn't spoil their children because it's unfair to other children

There are no quick, easy and definitive answers to what makes a good parent. Think back to when you were a child and remember what you cherished about the time you had with your parents. What do you remember most fondly and what did they do that helped you in your own journey?

No one is perfect and no parent is perfect - everyone has their ups and downs so try not to be tough on yourself if you get it wrong sometimes. Maybe some of the qualities and ideas listed here will influence your existing good parenting skills and so help make your family life more relaxed, joyful and rewarding for you and your children.