What makes a good mum

[Scatternobrains]

This may seem like a really mad question so please just humour me, but in your eyes what makes a mum a good (or even just a good enough) mum?

Thanks very much

I think it's a brilliant question. I've spent 18 years asking it myself and trying to sort out the answer.

For me, the answer is: a calm, warm mum who pays attention. Someone who can be strong wthout shouting and temper. Someone who is ready with cuddles, smiles, jokes, and has a sense of fun. Someone who listens to her DC, how they view the world, the difficulties and excitement they have without shoving it through her own filter to check if it's relevant or not.

Zero tolerance of bullies, even when they are best friends and family members. My DC have always known no bully ever got away with treating them badky and if they ever bullied eachother they were hauled up for it. This makes for a very happy, secure family.

Also, an organised mum. Part of being a good mum is making sure DC have clean clothes, dnner money, the right forms handed in at the right time etc. My mum was affectionatre but chaotic and it caused me so much embarassment and shame to always be late for school in dirty clothes without the forms my parents were supposed ot have completed etc. Just having a strong routine helps so much.

I agree with PP I think a good mummy should be kind, affectionate, fun, listen / pay an interest in whatever they are into at the moment.

Preferably not loose temper or be shouty (difficult sometimes!) but set sensible boundaries and stick to them.

Be there. Let your little one know your proud of them. Let them know they mean something. Don't let them wonder of you are thinking of them, trust me that can be very lonely.