What is one thing you didn't have as a kid, that you would like for your child.

[Beeblebear]

My husbands answer to this would be the name Luke Skywalker. Luckily I uaed my labour veto for this one.

[ratbagcatbag]

Mine would genuinely be a happy childhood, mine was miserable and I refuse to let the same happen for my dd. :)

[TwllBach]

Can I have two things?

My first would be that I would want my dc to be treated equally by both parents. My dad quite obviously ha a favourite and it made things difficult between my brother and I.

My second would be that I would never want to involve my dc in arguments between me and dp. My childhood was filled with being told that mummy and daddy were thinking about getting a divorce and what did I think? And both of them used to tell us all the gory details of how the other was being horrible. I remember my father once asking my brother and I if we knew why mummy was out and was it because she had a new boyfriend? And my mother was particularly keen on coming to my room in tears because of xyz.

I won't be doing that to my dc.

[AKissIsNotAContract]

A dad that isn't a total cunt.

[icepole]

A sober mum.

[mamalovebird]

Sober parents

I want my children to feel important and not like they are a total inconvenience

The chance to have an opinion of their own that is recognised as valid

The chance to do different activities and find out what they are good at. I never got to go to any classes or activities and would have loved to have learned the piano or guitar. It took me until my thirties to find hobbies that I'm good at and really enjoy.

[PoppyWearer]

To give them an awareness of the world beyond our town, and encourage them to go and explore it.

To wish them to be confident, rounded people rather than solely focused on academic success.

To let them enjoy the here and now, whilst they are kids, through both material things, once-in-a-lifetime holidays and days out (that I was not allowed "because we can't afford it"), rather than squirrelling away every spare penny for my own retirement. (My Parents are now very comfortably off in retirement, but it does make me wonder why we lived so frugally all those years!)

To have friends over to play and birthday parties.

[dyslexicdespot]

I want DS to grow up without ever feeling that he has to take care of me or involve himself in arguments DH and I have.

I want him to feel that DH and I are a solid unit that will love and protect him.

[NothingsLeft]

Sober, non abusive parents.

I really want him to grow up around normal, stable relationships and be able to forge these himself later life.

[coffeewineandchocolate]

to grow up without the pressure of religious beliefs being dictated and to have parents who are able to show affection.

[LegArmpits]

A Mr Frosty.

[CUnexttuseday]

support - i have always loved horses and riding but was not supported or encouraged by my family. i will support my boys in whatever sport/hobby they love (i hope its riding)

[cogitosum]

To be able to walk to school , friends' houses, shops etc. we lived in the middle of nowhere and had to be driven everywhere.

Other than that i'd like them to pretty much have my childhood, I was very happy.

[CitrusyOne]

See I thought of mr frosty first too legarmpits but then I came on the thread and all the relies were far deeper than that, and I thought that actually I had quite a good childhood

although I always wanted playdough and was never allowed it because my mum hated the smell

[SupermansBigRedPants]

First thing i thought of - a scooter! I never had one and it drove me crazy as a child. Dd has always had one and broke the damned things and ds stands on his going wheeee wheeee whilst not going anywhere unless df is pushing him

I'd also like them to feel they can come to me for anything - yes I may say no/not be happy/be upset/disappointed - but I still want them to feel safe coming to me and know that I will do my best for them, whatever the situation.

[Nishky]

Unconditional love.

[exoticfruits]

Gosh, what a sad thread.
I have tried to think and I can't come up with anything!

[Nishky]

I don't see it as sad exotic, yes it's horrible that people were unhappy as children, that is heartbreaking; but people moving on from that and being determined to ensure their children never feel that. I think that is uplifting.

[SpecialAgentTattooedQueen]

A treehouse
A carebear to cuddle (v expensive when I was a child )
Old fashioned dollhouse For me

Not to inherit any of my MH problems.

To not be judged on their skin colour.

[williaminajetfighter]

Dresses. Barbies. Girly things.

Mom was 70s feminist who dressed me in boys clothes and didn't let me have or play with any toys that furthered gender stereotyping.

[recall]

siblings

[ArabellaBeaumaris]

I would like my kids to feel like they fit in with their peers. Not sure whether anyone feels that, but I reckon being dressed reasonably nicely, being allowed long hair (girls), watching telly etc might help.

[KnittedWaffle]

Screwball scramble.

[marriedinwhiteagain]

That they know they were wanted. Encouragement.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

A dad.

Which she has and they adore each other :)

Siblings. Which she sadly won't have.

[Twinklestarstwinklestars]

Food, clothing and general things we didn't get, my mum would spend all her money on her husband (not my dad) and we got next to nothing. I maybe spoil mine because of it but at least they're not humiliated at school etc.