https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 05:21:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2090420 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 19:01:21 +0000 Modern Daisy 2090420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This probably won't help you, but I didn't have a good relationship with my Mom until a few years ago. We even spent a few years not speaking. She was mentally and physically abusive my whole life and suffered from undiagnosed depression. We are very close now and have q wonderful relationship. She never came out and apologized, but i could tell in her actions that she was sorry and that she truly loves me. I know now that she did the best she could while i was growing up, but her generation was expected to be sahm's even if it wasn't what was best for them mentally. </p> <p>When dh and i were considering having me sah (still ongoing) i really took this into consideration. I thought about what would make ME happiest, because i truly believe that is what will be best for DS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2090414 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 18:48:48 +0000 gingerbebe 2090414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I currently have a great relationship with my mother and a very surface relationship with my dad.</p> <p>My parents and I had a hard time when we were growing up mostly because they were extremely hard-working but financially unsuccessful immigrants who were always under a lot of pressure to keep things afloat. They were too busy to learn things like American culture or even English. My parents also had/have a strained marriage. So my parents way of keeping us safe and in-line was to be extremely strict and overprotective while putting lots of pressure on my brother and I to excel in school.</p> <p>High school was pretty rough for both of us - we had a lot of anger and resentment about a lot of things - but we never doubted our parents loved us to the extreme. They just didn't get us. </p> <p>Once we both got to college and had some independence and breathing room, everyone was a lot happier. We all have a much better relationship now that we don't live under the same roof with our parents. My brother and I are also extremely impressed with how well our parents did with us despite the huge challenges they faced. Here's the things we REALLY value now looking back:</p> <p>1. Our parents had very high academic expectations of us, but at the same time really paid attention to what we liked and were good at and encouraged our curiosity and interest in those areas. We both had an easy time figuring out our majors in college as a result and we've always been employed and entrepreneurial.</p> <p>2. Not having money growing up meant we always knew we had to work hard. My parents worked constantly and were very shrewd about getting the best deals on things. So my brother and I always had part time jobs and we got creative with how to get the things we wanted.</p> <p>3. My parents were very strict and protective until we went to college but from that point on really naturally progressed in giving us our independence and respecting our choices. By the time I was out of college and would ask my parents advice for things, they'd even say "I don't know, you're an adult - you're going to have to figure it out!" While I don't think I'll be quite as strict as my parents, I do think that its important to gradually give responsibility to your kids instead of just letting them follow every whim they have as impressionable teenagers.</p> <p>4. Strong moral upbringing. My parents are devout Christians and so am I. My mom really set a great example and even when we were super poor, she never stopped tithing and never stopped being generous to people in the community.</p> <p>5. Embraced our partners. My parents, as overbearing as they are about lots of things, were eerily laid back when my brother and I both introduced our partners. We both picked partners outside our culture and when I asked my parents why they were so okay with it (they have some racist tendencies) they said it was because marriage is really hard and its for your whole entire life - its such a huge decision that only the two people who are choosing to be together can have a say in the matter. My parents have fully embraced our partners and treat them like their own children - even with the language barrier. Whenever we have some kind of struggle, instead of telling us what they think we should do, my parents always direct us to go back to our partners to figure it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2090291 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 15:57:02 +0000 BananaPancakes 2090291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: Yes to this!! This was not my situation, but some of my closest friends had this sort of childhood and they have little respect for their parents. Your child is not your therapist! I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. I've seen how it can destroy one's spirit. </p> <p>And my parents were laid back, respected my opinion, and let me be myself to the fullest. There were no expectations to act a certain way and there was no hovering. Just full support and unconditional love. As an adult, I feel so lucky that they aren't breathing down my neck or tying to shove their opinions down my throat. But they will be the first people to show up if I need help or advice. They are so selfless when it comes to their kids.</p> <p>Also, I think physically showing love as well as a heavy stream of "I love you's" and "I'm so proud of you's" can mean so much to a child. </p> <p>My husband is close with his mother, and she is a very supportive, loving woman. He's not very close with his father, though, who missed several big life events of his and who shows almost no physical or verbal love to his children. He only shows affection with money, and I'm willing to bet a large percentage of kids have no desire for monetary affection when their parent basically ignores them otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2090283 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 15:48:47 +0000 hummusgirl 2090283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the responses - it's given me much to think about, and some new appreciation for things my parents definitely did right! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2090220 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 14:04:48 +0000 sarac 2090220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been thinking about this thread, because I have a bad relationship with my mother, and I've thought a lot about why, and how I can parent differently than she did. It really comes down to a couple of big things. </p> <p>First, parentification. My mother had a really sad, neglectful upbringing, and she wasn't really prepared to parent. She relied on me as a confidant, as someone to talk to about her fears, for all of her emotional needs, really. She has severe anxiety, which she actively tried to teach to me. As a result, I spent my childhood very scared, feeling like I had no one taking care of me, no one to protect me, like we were very poor and that we could lose our home and our lives at any moment. I knew on a very visceral level that this was not how parents should act - that I was a child, and that I shouldn't have to be responsible for their feelings and fears.</p> <p>The second part is that my parents were both very limited, unhappy people. My father was limited by chronic illness, so I cut him some slack. They both felt that life was too hard, too overwhelming, that they really just weren't good enough to do much, and that they really just shouldn't try. This, despite being successful professionals. They really actively taught me that the things we wanted (health, fitness, happiness, professional success) were just too hard, out of our reach. Even the most basic parts of life happiness were not achievable in their minds, and this is the message they sent me into adult hood with. </p> <p>Obviously this was a really unhappy childhood, and it set me up to be a really unhappy adult. Climbing my way out of it has been hard, and even at 31, I some times feel like I've just started. So, please, don't be like my parents! Don't parentify your children. Don't expose them to your terrible anxiety disorder. And most of all, teach them that the things we want are within our reach. That's a lesson I'm still trying to learn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088319 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:47:25 +0000 Alivoo01 2088319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm close to my dad because of the respect I have for him. What he does for our family and what he puts up with is absolutely amazing. I look up to him and want him to be proud of me. We're not a sentimental family, but show affection by what we do for one another. I was pushed super hard as kid and resented my parents for it, but I turned out a-okay in the end so I let it go. I regret missing out on my childhood, but I just tell myself, I am where I am because of my past so deal with it.</p> <p>My mom and I aren't close but that's because of her personality. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088253 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:20:30 +0000 MaryM 2088253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents were strict when I was growing up (having a rebellious older sister didn't help), but once I became an adult, my mom made it really clear that I was smart enough to be able to make my own decisions. </p> <p>They never pushed me to make up my mind on things or to accomplish certain things (like marriage). But at the same time they were always supportive of me...win or lose.</p> <p>When I did decide to get married, our plans were rather foiled when DH's landlord decided to kick him out of the house he lived in for 12 years earlier than we expected. We went through Catholic pre-cana and didn't want to live together, so we had to figure out what we wanted to do. I talked to my mom about it and asked for her advice and she said "I trust that you can make the best decision for you"</p> <p>I think that line summed up why we have such a great relationship. She's willing to listen and help me talk things out, but in the end knows that I'm an individual and will have to do what works best for me. </p> <p>And as for growing up, I think my parents (while they had strict rules because of things my siblings did "wrong") also valued that I was unique. Being the youngest, I got to take some one on one trips and spend really great quality time with my parents. I think it brought us a lot closer. Through those trips I learned a lot about who they were...aside from being mom and dad. </p> <p>My parents also taught us that marriage is no fairy tale. They had a rough time for a while when I was little and fought a lot and went to counseling. But what we saw was them going on "dates" during which they'd take a drive into the woods so they could yell at each other without us having to hear. It wasn't until we were much older that we knew what was going on. </p> <p>I appreciate that example of knowing marriage isn't easy, but it's a choice. And if it's important enough to you, you can work through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088250 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:18:36 +0000 yoursilverlining 2088250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a great relationship with both my parents and my in-laws, and I think both sets of parents did and do pretty similar things that have worked well for me and my brother as well as my husband with his parents. </p> <p>I think the biggest thing overall is their true unconditional love and support. They have never belittled me, they have never expressed doubt in me (not to say they don’t speak up or voice opinions, but they have never expressed any doubt in me personally – no verbal attacks, “you’re not good enough to do x, y, z”, etc.), they have always been there no matter what, no questions asked. I always knew, and know, that no matter what happens, they will always have my back and fiercely love me unconditionally. </p> <p>I think we have a good relationship as adults because they treat me like an adult and treat me with respect and as an equal. They don’t butt into my life and they would never question my and DH’s parenting decisions or belittle those decisions. They always fostered independence and allowed me to fail at things, and were always there to support me afterwards and talk about what happened in non-negative ways. </p> <p>I also think we have a good relationship because they did not try to be my friend growing up. Roles were firm, and they were loving and supportive, but also had serious expectations and held to those as a parent should. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088234 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:13:19 +0000 Cole 2088234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: Thanks for starting this, I have been pondering the same thing since my daughter arrived and I struggle with my relationship with my mom. I can say that some things that contributed to my poor relationship are: my parents, my mom especially, really avoided open conversations about anything "hard" which left me a little lost and confused since I didn't know where to turn when I had hard questions. My mom struggled with self care and was left feeling depressed and resentful a lot of the time and it's really hard to feel like your own mom resents you. They also had no clue what to do with teenagers, there was very little discussion and a lot of do this because I said so and why can't you be more like X? The judginess is still a big struggle. I rarely felt fully respected even when I could lay out a clear and we'll thought out argument for my side of things my mom often disagreed.</p> <p>My goal as a parent is to make sure my children always know they are loved and feel respected. With those two things I think a lot of problems can be bridged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088176 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 09:38:58 +0000 Mae 2088176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have always been close with my dad, but to be fair he had the easier job. He worked a lot and my mom was the primary caregiver/disciplinarian so he was the "fun guy." He always made sure to be interested in what I was and spent time with me. He got to know my friends and was/is sort of a "cool dad" (tattoos, motorcycle, good music-- but not in that trying too hard way). He would tell me when he thought I was being a brat (but not in such a harsh way) but never really made me feel badly about it just like... here is how I see it-- think about it. </p> <p>My mom I had a rough time with in high school. I think I was a pretty typically bratty teenager and I think she struggled with that and also had some personal stuff going on of her own. But we are close now. I think it was just growing up and realizing she is a great person who devoted her whole life to raising kids and loving us unconditionally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088163 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 09:32:28 +0000 LuLu Mom 2088163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a great relationship with my parents, I was a hell raiser as a teen, and they stood by me also but also practiced tough love, which is what I needed at the time. My parents knew my personality, knew i was a free bird, but they used a guiding hand to help me stay on track. Sure we had our fights, disagreements, arguments, but I always knew they loved me and i could call them no matter what. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088098 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 08:53:04 +0000 mrsjyw 2088098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unconditional love and affection, support, guidance without overbearing restrictions, and a great example of unwavering faith in God and their selfless work ethic to provide us a better future! </p> <p>My brother and I are super close to our parents. So is DH. The number one thing we all discussed is our always feeling loved and supported regardless of stupid decisions and situations we may have put ourselves in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088090 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 08:47:38 +0000 Umbreon 2088090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom is my best friend. She is always there for me, always supports me and my decisions, she was able to be my friend while also being a parent. I have no idea how she did that, but I hope that I'll be able to do the same with my kids.</p> <p>I'm close with my dad, but in a different way. He wasn't afraid to ask me for help when he needed it - which means a lot as a kid/teen because I felt good about helping him and he always showed his appreciation. Just because he's the parent doesn't mean he knows everything, and he wasn't afraid to admit that. (This was almost always with technology and the computer. He's come along way since those days, maintaining his own website) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088088 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 08:46:27 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2088088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They were really fun to be around growing up. My parents had expectations, but not necessarily rules. They were really good about giving me autonomy. They respected my opinions on current eventsn, let me make decisions ad encouraged my independence. They spoiled me with their time and attention, which was great. Spending one on one time with them doing whatever- stuff they liked, stuff I liked just gave us a tone of time to talk and develop a relationship. They also let me by myself and nurtured my strong suits. Although I had internal pressure to make them proud, I knew that didn't mean it had to be their way. At some point my parents just stopped parenting and became more of a trusted advisor and friend. The times when we clashed growing up or my parents stressed me out I knew it was a them thing and not me meaning we have different personalities, past experiences, and philosophies on life.</p> <p>ETA: my adult relationship with them is a bit more complicated; it's good but we are not equals after all they are still my parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088072 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 08:32:12 +0000 Anagram 2088072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm...I think this is so hard to put your finger on. I'm close with my mom (my dad passed away already), and my husband is super, super close with his parents--like best friends close.</p> <p>But our lives were pretty different growing up. I would say my parents were more hands off (probably since I was one of 6 kids and both parents worked full time); but my parents still knew what was up with my activities, took me to my sports and clubs, etc.</p> <p>DH's parents were much more closely involved--checking on what homework he had every day, checking on his test grades (my parents totally left all school work up to me and just expected to see my report card), making sure he was studying. His mom was a SAHM and he never really had to do anything around the house except his studies; I had to start doing my own laundry in 5th grade, packing my own lunch in 1st grade, started babysitting my little sister in 5h grade; had to help clean the house every Saturday, etc.</p> <p>Both of our parents were strict, very strict, with stuff like curfews. Both of our parents are very religious (different religions, but still). And we were both spanked.</p> <p>But I guess we both felt loved and just didn't have a lot of conflict with our parents growing up, so we don't have a lot of conflict with them now. That's probably just a testament to the good nature of each of our parents, though.</p> <p>I had a stage (from 18-late 20's) where I really couldn't go to my parents with a lot of stuff--anything about dating, or boys, or going out--because they would have been disapproving. But now I'd tell my mom almost anything--we just had to navigate those years of me "losing my religion" and basically doing the opposite of everything they taught me. =)</p> <p>DH's parents would literally give their children the shirts off their backs--they are totally selfless. My mom will help us, but expects us to do a lot for ourselves. So their approaches are very different.</p> <p>I think as adults in good relationships with our parents, it boils down to--they don't add a lot of drama to our lives. They don't get hurt or upset over little things, and neither do we. We don't keep score or expect them to do things for us, and the same goes for them. They don't try to guilt trip us about anything; they are flexible with us, and we with them. They make an effort to see us, so we make an effort to see them.</p> <p>It's complicated I guess--and not so clear cut! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088068 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 08:26:01 +0000 ineebee 2088068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The most salient thing I remember was that they started respecting my opinion pretty early on (adolescence). They were also really reasonable with their rules, but they were always up for discussion. When I started driving, they were very communicative about how they want me to earn their trust by only gradually giving me more independence as time went on.</p> <p>Nowadays, we have a good relationship mostly because I realize my mom has such high empathy. She doesn't want to be overbearing because she didn't like her mother to be overbearing. She doesn't call constantly like her mother would have, so she waits for me to take the lead. She basically treats me the way she imagines I want to be treated, and it works really well. My dad just takes my mom's lead and is very loving and tender.</p> <p>Also, I think that being immigrant parents can be either a really good thing or really bad thing. For my parents, their "otherness" made them really humble and they tried to understand our "Americanness" instead of blindly imposing their will on us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088052 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 08:11:26 +0000 Synchronicity 2088052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents always let me be independent. They encouraged me and supported my decisions and helped me pick up the pieces if I made a mistake, but they never hovered or pushed me too hard. I had a lot of freedom... Definitely more than most other kids I knew, but I didn't abuse it. I was a good kid, so they trusted me .They are also really fun! I feel super lucky to have such a good relationship with my parents and I really, really hope that I can have the same with my future children! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088027 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 07:49:09 +0000 Ra 2088027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom was a firm believer in letting us make our own mistakes which, now that I'm a parent, I'm sure was excruciating for her. Even when we were little she never hovered. She would stand by and let us make our mistakes and be there to help us through it when we needed to pick up the pieces. No judgment. No "I told you so." She has an uncanny knack for being objective. Even now, when I do something that she obviously doesn't like/agree with, she would never interject unless I asked her opinion. She's pretty amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088017 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 07:37:43 +0000 travellingbee 2088017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents have a wonderful loving marriage and have always been on the same page (I've never been able to play off of the other). They have rules and limits but they didn't seem unfair. They have always held my brother and I in the highest regard- lots of respect and pride in us but at the same time they never pushed us. I don't know if it worked because we happened to naturally be internally motivated kids or it caused us to be internally motivated. My dad is incredibly self- sacrificing and would literally do anything for family. My mom less so, so she probably balances him out. They are so great with my DS and never tell me how to parent. They are pretty laid back wih him but super responsible and always follow my directions with DS.<br /> ***Here's the big thing for me- my parents aren't emotionally needy. They wanted me to be independent and they respect me and my decisions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2088004 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 07:24:50 +0000 looch 2088004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents have mellowed out with age. I think the worst period of time for our relationships were when I was in high school and then again when I was nearing the end of a long term relationship. We fought a lot, at the time I thought it was because they were mean and controlling, turns out they were worried. They aren't great at expressing feelings.</p> <p>Now, I can ask my parents for anything and tell them anything. They're there for my family in ways I never imagined. . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2087954 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 02:33:58 +0000 lamariniere 2087954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we have more of an adult relationship and less of a parent-child relationship. I just have my dad, but can I can speak freely and openly to him and we have mutual respect for one another. Even though occasionally he talks to me like I'm 13, he does realize and respect that I have my own life, my own family and I can make decisions for myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2087948 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:56:40 +0000 Circusbee 2087948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents always had very high expectations of me but also trusted me to do what I needed and make most decisions myself. Some would call them overbearing I think, but for me it worked. I also felt a ton of support from them and like they would always back me up if I truly felt I was doing the right thing. I also see my parents as a great source now, I go to my mom constantly for emotional support and I go to my dad for more practical things like financial advice. There's a mutual respect there now that I think started with then having so much trust in me as a kid. I'm not sure this would have worked with every kid, but it was perfect for me apparently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2087946 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:20:04 +0000 wonderstruck 2087946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: Me too! I worry a bit that having sons will make it a bit harder; my brother was never as comfortable coming to my parents with the hard stuff, but I'm going to try my best! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2087943 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:10:50 +0000 littlejoy 2087943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wonderstruck: Your first two points are perfection: admitting to mistakes and having no off limit topics. I hope I can be like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2087939 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:00:50 +0000 wonderstruck 2087939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A big thing I admired my mom for, particularly as I got older, was that if she did screw up she would apologize and talk to me about it. There were no discussion topics that were off limits and she didn't fly off the handle if I made a mistake (and I knew she made them too), so it was easier to come to her when I needed to talk about awkward but important things.</p> <p>I have a decent relationship with my dad, but it's a bit more of a surface relationship. And I think that is mainly because of those things I listed - he doesn't like to talk about things that aren't pleasant, gets very defensive about his mistakes, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2087922 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:11:44 +0000 littlejoy 2087922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was younger my parents weren't helicopter parents. Honestly, I don't remember much of them lol. They encouraged my creativity and never really got mad at me for doing anything kids do (like breaking stuff, etc.). </p> <p>Now they are both super encouraging and love asking me about my life. They love seeing me as a mom. </p> <p>Interestingly, my parents have never helped me financially (as an adult). I used to resent them, as we could have used help, but I wonder if all was a part of their big plan? Who knows. I have no resentment towards them now, and I hope our daughter says the same for us eventually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2087861 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:46:51 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2087861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom was, and still is, very humble. She wasn't too proud to admit that as a parent she didn't know the right answer and didn't always make the right choice. She simply explained that as any parent (and I definitely understand now!), she always did what she felt in her heart was best - and how can I fault her for that. </p> <p>She has also worked hard to keep an open mind/open heart. She was/is a SAHM and thought she didn't understand my desire to return to school and have a career, she has put it behind her and helps out consistently with LO and has been so supportive. Her love and support is a huge reason we have a strong relationship. I feel open to telling her anything because she is kind, but honest.</p> <p>My dad is the same way - very supportive and always willing to help me out. </p> <p>It's a hard balance between between "laid back" and involved enough. My parents set very strict boundaries, but they also let us grow (like letting me take a trip to NZ alone for a month at 16!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-good-relationship-with-your-parents#post-2087849 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:38:28 +0000 hummusgirl 2087849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>...what did they do to make it good, both today and while you were growing up? </p> <p>My relationship with my parents is ok - no major drama and I know they love me, but our household growing up definitely had tension fairly often - mom vs. dad and parents vs. kids. They were also a bit overbearing and judgmental. </p> <p>I hope to make my relationship with my child(ren) better but I don't know all that many people IRL who are close with their parents. The ones who are seem to have laid-back parents who are supportive and never act like they're disappointed in their kids. That's a starting point for me but I'm curious what you think your parents did right. </p>