to think it's high time somebody started an "I'm an imperfect mother" thread on here? Jeeez the number of perfectly perfect mums on here atm is quite scary

[emkana]

Okay I'll start

I'm not a perfect mother because

I lose my temper
I let them watch x factor and the cube on a Saturday night, and don't even read them a bedtime story after
I've taken them out of school for holidays

[pingapengin]

Who said anything about it being normal?

[goodbyesunhellomoon]

It's not normal.

I ALWAYS criticize my DD's behaviour if she's been naughty - not her as a person. 'That was naughty' not 'You are so naughty'. It's the self fulfilling prophecy - if you're berating your kids as stupid and idiotic for normal childhood behaviours, then they will grow up with complexes that they are stupid and idiots - it's bloody awful.

[flopalong]

I'm not perfect because.....
I sometimes nod and smile when my chilren are talking without actually hearing a word they say.
I let them eat macds sometimes
I let my son stay up late on a friday and sometimes as a treat for me him I let him watch a film upstairs in my room with sweets.
My 22m olds son threw a box of crayons on the floor at 10:30 this morning just before I had to go to a christaning, they are still on the floor now.
The sides of my bed are both stuffed with washing that needs putting away
I always always loose socks and underpants.
Sometimes their uniform isn't dry untill I am going out the door

However I wouldn't swear AT them and try not to swear at all let alone in front of the kids, I save it for real anger.
I always take them to school (sometimes book days off for familly things)
I get up when they get up when they do
I don't take them out with me (don't go out, sad me lol), if I did I would be home to put them in bed or put them to bed somewhere where I was (that dog bed thing can't be true).
Nobody is getting at the OP, she is a normal not perfect mum who doesn't have anything to be ashamed of.
But some of you........

[noddyholder]

I have never seen any of these posters ever ask for some help not to treat their kids this way which says a lot.Every time you do those things you destroy a little bit of them and stress them out in what should be the best yrs of their lives At least think about it

[welliemum]

It is boastful, of course it is.

It's saying "Look at me, I'm cool because I'm really relaxed, not like those uptight types who want to have everything just so."

It's just reverse snobbery. It's got nothing to do with parents supporting each other and being kind to each other or however else it's dressed up.

[MermaidSpam]

Shiney - God no! In no way would I justify anyone saying those kinds of things to their DC.

I just found the thread to be surprisingly honest compared to some of the drivel I usually read on here (haven't been here very long - must learn to not read everything in the 'last 15 mins' section!) and was a bit disappointed to see people saying "I can't believe you do that, you scum" (not you Shiney) rather than "well I wouldn't go that far but yesterday I ......"

[SixtyFootDoll]

theres a big difference between giving your child a greggs sausageroll and swearing at them
I am a laidback parent but I draw the line at swearing at them
I swear under my breath and call them all sorts in my head
BUT agree with NH it is not 'cool' to humiliae yor children

[pingapengin]

I have neither condoned or judged.

I have bad days and say/do things i wouldnt do on a good day, so who am i to judge other peoples parenting? We are all human and sometimes its nice to hear I am not alone.

Some people seemed somewhat upset, i pointed out you didnt have to read it.

[MermaidSpam]

Shiney - agreed

[HerBeatitude]

I think noddy's hit the nail on the head. There is a hell of a difference between calling a kid a little shit and thinking that's OK and calling a kid a little shit and apologising to him/ her afterwards and posting to ask for help about how not to do that.

I think an OP along the first lines would get a roasting and an OP along the latter would get sympathy and help. (Yes there might be a few unnecessary raised eyebrows as well, but overwhelmingly people are supportive on here, as long as someone is looking for help and not just demanding that bad behaviour is validated.)

[pingapengin]

I have sworn at my kids before, Im not proud of it but its true. I like to believe I am a good mum and I do my best but some days I fail.

Why should i judge others who swear?

As for not taking the kids to school, its not what i would do, and I do not condone that.

[Quattrocento]

Taking children out of school for holidays, swearing at them, shouting at them, even "Bribing them with sweets/money to not 'dob me in' to their dads or their teachers for letting them have the morning off school because I had a hangover, slept in, and took a couple of hours to feel human enough to get them there."

It's not as though anyone's actually posting for support with some of this stuff. It's just boasting about some pretty lousy parenting. Plain wrong.

[Quattrocento]

Shiney you've misread condone for condemn I think