My New Subsection

Do you believe you had a good childhood? Please explain

Yes I did. My parents were like old school 60's tv show characters. I didnt grow up with drugs, alcohol, or cursing. They taught me integrity and instilled respect into me. I was given a lot of the things I wanted in life (which made me spoiled) and I was really sheltered from the real world. Which in the end my curiosity of the "other side of life" got the best of me in high school. But growing up I was a very fortunate child and can proudly say that they really did everything they could to raise me right.

What did your parent(s) do with you for family time?

We would go swimming, or go out to eat, or dance to music in our basement.... We had a lot of family time.

Did your parent(s) make it a point to show and tell you that they loved you?

Yes - especially my mother. She was an extremely affectionate and caring person. My dad was more of the type to give a hug and say Have a nice day at school.

As a child when you did something wrong, what kind of punishment (if any) did you get?

I would get a spanking from my dad. And if I did something bad by my mom she would say "Just wait till your father gets home." I would sweat that one out for hours.

Do you believe you will raise your children the same way you were raised? Why or why not?

I wish I had the patience to do it that way. My parents were really great. I try my best - but sometimes impatience gets the better of me. I am more of a screamer type mom and my parents were more of a mellow couple.

Do you believe that the way a child is raised determines the person they become?

Yes definitely. It is funny how that works. I am a firm believer in that. I doubt that a child who never hears I love you growing up - will want to tell their spouse when they are an adult they love them to often... Or someone that grew up abused - will most likely repeat the abuse as an adult. Their are the great kids though that overcome their past and start over, but I think a majority repeat early learned habits- even habits as small as good hygiene.

Do you believe you grew up in a good family environment? Why or why not?

Yes. My parents never talked about money or problems in front of me. They rarely faught (that I am aware of).... They tried to let me be a kid and not give me their burdens. I had everything I needed to be happy. We had a 2 story house, cars, a pool, huge back yard and animals. So for me I never in my life had to struggle with moving constantly or hearing burdens like that. I wish I would have had my kids when I was older - so I could have provided them with the same living situation.

Did your home environment positively or negatively affect your growing up? Please explain

Positively. It was positive since I never had to see any thing negative really. It was like my parents created this safe bubble of protection. I had no idea that their were people being raped, murdered or using drugs... and what I did know - I didnt truly understand until I saw it first hand in my adult years.

What do you wish, if anything, was different about your childhood?

I do wish I could have been a little more exposed to the world. I was pretty naive having grown up protected. And it cost me a lot of heartache and pain realizing that people were far from perfect, as I had always perceived them to be.

Do you really believe there is such a thing as a "perfect childhood"?

Yes and No. I think I had as close to a perfect childhood as one can get. I am so fortunate for that. But no matter what type of life you had - there are always things that could have been done better, things you wish would not have happened, etc.... We are human and as parents - we make mistakes- there is no manual, just our judgment and sometimes we are wrong.