How do you recall your parents and childhood, good or not-so-good?

I tell my parents as often as I can how appreciative I am of the manner in which they raised me. They did an incredible job, if I do say so myself. They gave me a childhood filled with enriching experiences, minimal digital brainless media, books upon books, science, and taught me to argue from a very young age. Instead of the classic “Respect Your Elders Without Question” thing, they taught me that if I could argue my point logically and I was correct, I would get my way. They taught that someone who is older isn’t necessarily right and even they’re wrong from time to time. I never felt any extreme need to rebel because my side was always listened to and often situations would fall to some sort of compromise between our opinions.

That’s honestly just one of a million things that I appreciate that they did for me.

They were great parents. They’re why I want to have one kid of my own someday. I want an opportunity to give a child as incredible an upbringing as I received and more, by incorporating what my parents have told me that they regret not doing more of.

(Thanks, mom and dad! I love and appreciate and respect you!)

My dad I loved how he brought me up. I got whatever I wanted and went many fun places. My mom was less liberal and tried to be more strict on me and I hated that

Oh god, Ryan is going to depress us all, just a warning before you read it.

WE LOVE YOU RYAN

Most of the things I learned about relationships I got from my parents. I learned to do the opposite of what my mom and dad would do.

One night in high school my GF and I were fighting. She told me I was just like my father. This hurt more than anyone could imagine. I pretty much hid and dropped out of high school afterwords. I was lucky and was able to drop out of school and still eat. I got SSI since my mom killed my dad when I was ten.

My Mom pretty much raised 4 kids on her own. She did it all. My Dad was too busy hustling/playing pool, hanging out with the boys, drinking and, later we found out that he had a few “lady friends” on the side. I’m the youngest, and there is an 8 year difference between the third child (my bro) and I. My older brothers and my sis got to see the worst of it (Dad being abusive mentally and verbally towards my Mom and my siblings .. sometimes, physically), and, I’m lucky in that I missed out on that shit.

When my brothers and sister were around 13–16, my Mom went to see her doctor because she was experiencing depression and low self-esteem (my Dad made her feel like shit), the doctor put her on some Lithium to help her get out of her slump, but, also said to her, “there’s nothing wrong with you (mentally), it’s just that your self-esteem is low. You need to do something in order to feel better about yourself”. So, with four kids, my Mom decided to get a job, and she went to night school to work on her B.A. in psychology. She graduated with honors. Go, Mah! She started to feel pretty damn good about herself and no longer put up with any of my Dad’s shit.

Mah definitely ruled the roost after that.

I have mixed memories of my childhood. It was both good and bad—more good than bad on the whole.

I couldn’t have had better parents. My childhood was as close to perfect as you can get. I’ve had a great life & I thank them for getting me started out on the right foot.

I have had both good parents and a good childhood:)

I’ve had numerous childhoods because of where life has taken me – I don’t remember my parents being involved in my life all that much, especially my father whose opinions I never liked or respected – my mother and I had many issues once I learned to question authority but in some ways, at the very least, she was there for me. What I am thankful for is how much my parents valued education and my being interested in it.

I recall it as having been quite positive. I’ve always felt that my parents had done an excellent job, even during my high school years, the years when I was supposed to hate them the most (I realize I’m still a teenager). I really loved my parents’ parenting style and I plan to do something similar with my kids. My childhood was excellent, 4 kids, stay at home mom, got along with my siblings (for the most part…haha), parents were fair and not that strict. It was peachy and I’ll always thank them for it. :)

My parents were fair, generous, and loving. KMA when I needed it I still love them and lucky to still have them! I would not change second of my childhood.

My parents were very loving, supportive, and strict. My Dad was the absolute boss, and he had very strict, similar to military, rules. I was very lucky to have them and our entire extended family while growing up.

I had a very good, happy childhood. We were always going places and doing fun things. My folks worked very hard and gave us everything we ever wanted. They were and still are fun to be around.

I had an overwhelmingly good upbringing by my parents because they were very conscientious and pragmatic in the way they raised my brothers and I. I will always be eternally grateful for all their hard work and love and dedication that they bestowed on us.

I didn’t really like being a child. I know a lot of people who are nostalgic for their childhoods and it’s usually understandable. My childhood wasn’t nearly as bad as a lot of stories I’ve heard but it was just unpleasant enough for me not to miss it.