Are you a strict parent?

[Newname09]

Can you give me examples of what you think makes you a strict parent?

Are you?

I don't know really. Sometimes I am. But not all the time. Some things I am a lot more strick about than other things. I believe it's quite normal.

My DC say I'm strict... but I think they would in the hope that they get either away with murder or simply get whatever the want!
The joy of having teenagers! 😁

Firm but kind and loving. I choose my battles and give choices

We were quite strict when they were little - we had set routine, they were expected to behave out & about, sit down sensibly in a cafe or at mass, not interrupt people, not keep asking for things. I don’t think we are particularly strict now they are teenagers but we don’t need to be. I think you need to be firm from day one & then it sets the tone. We’ve never shouted at them rather more a disapproving look or a direct instruction to do/not do something. We’re both teachers & so perhaps that helps?

Who defines what is strict? Eg I do not allow my children (6&3) to be loud or disruptive in restaurants. They sit in their seats. We would leave if they didn’t. But is that “strict”, or is it normal, and the people who let their kids run around a restaurant are just lax? They’d view me as strict I guess, but I’d view them as lazy if their toddler is barrelling round a restaurant while they bleat “please sit down” at them.

Same as some of the PP, I think people might say I am strict but I see a lot of parents that I think are lax. So it depends on the definition.

My strictness is about things like manners - sharing, turn taking, not interrupting, pleases and thank yous, table manners, behaviour in public, respect for elders and visitors (cultural maybe?), helping around the house, kindness to each other etc.

Edited to add that I am strict about school work and practice commitments for extra curricular activities.

Started from when they were tiny and now 9 and 12 and I don't correct much anymore.

I do give choices and am open to discussion on matters outside those basics.

I also have the superpower of the African side eye.

I asked my kids this quite recently and they all agreed that I’m not really strict apart from on certain things- which were studying, screen time and keeping their bedrooms tidy (which they don’t). I was quite happy with that answer as I thought they would all say I am really strict.

I have standards eg we say please and thank you, we respect other people so we don’t run screaming around cafes / restaurants or behave badly in public spaces - which quite a lot of parents seem to let kids do!

Im strict with stuff like car parks / crossing roads eg DC hold my hand and don’t run off

However I don’t sweat the small stuff so I’m not shouting at DC for jumping in muddy puddles like one of my friends!!

Apparently, according to my eldest! 😆

I don’t think so though. I was telling him just yesterday we need to raise the bar for ourselves and have at least some form of standards… this was re. having a shower after swimming. So, a basic 😁 think of all those bum holes you’ve been swimming with, vile!

Me and DH are ‘strict’ with manners/lip/sass/being inconsiderate eg being LOUD for no reason. But to me that’s not strict, that’s bare minimum.

Kids get zero homework and can keep their rooms as they like them so not much else to be strict on! Screen time is allowed whenever they want. Play dates usually a yes. But they’d tell you we’re strict.

Same. They know who’s in charge but they have freedom too. Well, that’s how I parented. They’re 20s and 30s now.

My dd is an adult now, but I wouldn't say that I was a strict parent. We did have high expectations around behaviour and work ethic etc, but we were pretty chilled overall.