You know you’ve done a good job bringing up your children when….

[Happytodayhappytomorrow]

This morning I heard Alexa say “shall I turn off all alarms?”

In reply, 20-year-old DS said
“Yes please”

My dc's teachers and TAs have often said that when they say "Good morning, how are you?“ ds and dd are the only kids who ever say "How are you today Miss?“ back to them.

When they are laughing about something together, one cackles the other chortles. I've no idea what they are laughing at and I probably don't want to know, but it makes my day every single time.

DS2 gave a homeless (and shoeless) man the shoes off his feet and walked back to the car in his socks.

When the first thing they do at school pickup is run up and give me a hug - even the 12 year old.

Other mums at pickup have mentioned how their older kids would be far to embarrassed to do that, and it's sweet how mine still want to :)

I was unwell the other week. My four year old brought me a drink of water, a blanket and the digital thermometer. I did in fact have a temperature as well!

I’ve got a sore throat, and asked my 10yo for a big cup of tea to soothe it. She got out the step stool, dug around at the top of the random stuff cupboard in the kitchen until she found the HUGE mug, made me about a litre of tea, and brought it to me in bed.

Mine is 18months old so I haven't got a clue!! In fact, I wonder if I'm doing an awful job, the amount of daily meltdowns we're experiencing. I'm trying to teach please and thank you, but it usually creates a massive tantrum. Afterwards, he will sidle up and coyly say 'peeeese', long after he's already had what he wanted.
If I'm being generous - he knows to be gentle when petting the cat, and has started asking her "how are you cat?" in the morning 🤣

If your child isn't yet an adult you can't claim to have done a good job bringing them up, which is what the OP is about - things can change a lot between age 4/10/12 and adulthood!

Mine talk to me, we enjoy our teens company and don't seem to be having any of the expected teen/parent drama.

Disclaimer- fully aware there is still time for this to appear.

One day when I went to pick DD 18mo up from nursery, she asked staff for her coat, then her bag and then turned to all the other kids and said bye bye!

My 4 year old always showing concern for her friends if they're upset going in to school and offering to help them go in with her

Mine look after me when I need it. They like to treat me when I see them, and insist on cooking and clearing up. They now understand why me and their dad split up and appreciate that I did all I could to mitigate the fall out for them.

My 16 year old had a job interview at a top London hair salon this week - they asked me to accompany her due to her age. Watching her answer their questions so articulately and intelligently made me so proud. They told her she had a lovely energy and offered her the job on the spot. It was just lovely 😊

Mine are 27&25 now, however when they were in their late teens I heard DS1 say to DS2 “when you’re in a relationship you need to treat your girlfriend how you’d expect mum to be treated.” It made me well up.

@Giggorata

DS2 gave a homeless (and shoeless) man the shoes off his feet and walked back to the car in his socks.

Am actually blubbing at that. What a wonderful young man.

My 2 are adults now.
Always very polite when out. Please and thank you come naturally.

Amusingly when we’re together for meals they still look to check everyone has finished and then whilst no longer asking to leave the table will suggest that they will clear away. It’s like code for can I get down please.

We were out on a walk recently and it was a bit slippy coming down the hill. My 14yo DS slipped on a rocky bit. I was following him. Without a word he stood up, turned around and held out his hand to help me down, I said thank you and continued walking. Turned back to see him doing the same for his younger sister who took his hand, stumbled anyway and he caught her and set her back on her feet. She also said thank you and he continued to help her down the rest of the slope. Made me feel warm inside.

My oldest is only 2.5 so plenty to go wrong… but I love how she says “oh! Sorry!” if she bumps into someone and how good she is at taking turns with her baby sister. (And of course all the impromptu “I love you mummy!”s but I think all toddlers do that )

My ds had his 18th birthday party a few weeks ago. I went to stay with my bf. I got back the following day and the house was cleaner and tidier than I'd left it

@TheFairyCaravan

Mine are 27&25 now, however when they were in their late teens I heard DS1 say to DS2 “when you’re in a relationship you need to treat your girlfriend how you’d expect mum to be treated.” It made me well up.

I love this.

Mine are 23 ds and 19 dd and and they say I love you to each other every day.

My dd is away for a a few weeks and ds just came to tell me how much he is missing her.

They have a silly little tradition as on a certain day once a month, ds fetches her from an event. On their way home they always stop off for chicken nuggets. The time is coming up for when he should be fetching her, but as she is away he won't be this time. He is quite upset as won't have his chicken nugget buddy this month.

@Quantity5

It’s the little things.

My teen boys all shout love you at each other when they go out. It makes me warm inside.

My 18 Yr old and 13 Yr old do this It makes me smile 😍

This is a lovely thread.

My 6 year old has been getting reward tokens from the dining hall staff at school because she is so polite.

If relatives give her money, she always wants to give some of it to charity and regularly offers to give some of her toys away to children who have less than she does.

My 9yo son will still kiss and hug me goodbye at the school gates and isn't bothered if his mates are stood there (I'm aware this won't last!) he also randomly comes and hugs me and tells me I'm such a good Mammy.

My 5yo daughter also randomly says love you Mammy. Melts my heart ❤️

When your adult children come home to see you regularly, even though a lot of travel for them and they ring you or text to tell you bits of good news. My ds1 text me other day to let me know he is going to do his class 1 lorry driving. He currently drives class 2 and he said you are first person I wanted to tell Mum. Makes me feel so warm inside.

I have no clue yet as my DS is only 5 and I'm worried half the time I'm totally fucking it up!
But, he shared chocolate with me and DH today completely unprompted. And he mirrors back things I say to him like "Nice manners mummy!" or "Good girl mummy!" so maybe I'm not getting it completely wrong.