I love my kids and I really want them to have a wonderful life and childhood.  But many times I feel I’m too hard on them, making them do things that at the time seems to be extremely important.  Please understand that these ‘things’ are day-to-day tasks such as homework, getting up early, not fighting with siblings, finishing food served, taking their shower/bath and of course going to bed on time.

• Am I really the only parent in the World who can get upset with my kids if they don’t do what I ask them to do?
• Am I really the only parent who sometimes raises his voice to get my point across to the kids, only to see how see sad they get when I do so?
• Do I really offer my kids a childhood they will cherish and remember, and one day say that their dad was the best in the World?

It’s very easy to doubt your own parenting skills when you see movies, commercials, TV shows and other families, who portray the ideal families; smiling, laughing, playing, doing cool things together, etc.

The only person who could possible answer my worries are my own kids, but wouldn’t they just say what I really want to hear?

There are many times where I catch myself getting a little too excited about the kids not doing homework, being messy eaters or just not listening; and then I raise my voice.  Afterwards I feel very bad, but no apology would help as the kids are already upset because daddy raised his voice.

On the other hand, we have so many wonderful moment together, playing with Lego, cooking, chasing, gardening, watching movies, playing games, bicycling in the street, swimming, cleaning (yes that’s an odd one I know) and tickling.  These moments outweigh the times I yell at them… I hope.

What does make a good dad?

Is it really allowing your kids to do whatever they want, without rules, not understanding consequences of missed homework, eating healthy, going to bed and get up and of course listen to us parents?

Some parents think they can buy their kids with gadgets, toys, clothes, money and expensive holidays.  Personally I don’t think kids really care about these things.  They simply want to spend time with their parents.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a stay-at-home-vacation, camping, day-trip, Disney World, bounty beach destination or simply a walk in the local park – as long as they spend time with us.  At least that’s my view and how I see my kids.

They have a blast with most things we do, mainly because we do them together.  I think that’s what’s make me (us) a good parent, and that’s why my kids love us.

Yes, we have our tough times when the kids misbehave, but so do all families.  Some families just pass it over to the Au Pair, bribe with gifts or ignore the kids entirely; letting them live a life where they are slightly left to their own devices.

I’m sure these parents still love their kids, but some strange dude once said “can’t buy me love”.  I will admit, money can certainly make one happy, but can’t buy love from your kids.

Hopefully my kids will grow up and appreciate the upbringing we gave them, enjoying the time we spent together and that we did what we did to with all the best intention providing them with all the tools to succeed – and because we love them immensely.

I will ask them if they had a good childhood when they get a little older, but for now we are enjoying their childhood, watching them growing up and becoming wonderful individuals.

Are you a great parent and how do you measure this?