You want your children to be like you?

I don't want my children to be like me but I try my best to be a good role model for them. I mean children are exposed to other people outside their family and they watch tv and movies all the time so they learn things by themselves with whatever they see around them. I have 2 young daughters and as their mother I try my best to give them good examples about what right and wrong I've done in my life? They can decide for themselves and be who they are. They have to have their own identities. No matter how much we try to protect our children we have no total control of what they're going to do with their lives. It's about how parents bring them up and how other people will influence their lives. They have their own minds to decide for themselves just like most of us do.

I want my daughter to do what she wants in life as long as it makes her happy. I am not going to force her to do anything as far as careers or activities. If she wants to do something, we'll let her if we feel it's okay for her. Obviously, we aren't going to let a 5 year old go base jumping or something, but if she wants to play t-ball or hockey, we'll gladly let her. I'm not going to force her to go to college. I went and have my degree and have a job I like. My husband didn't finish and also has a job he likes even without a college degree. We're going to let her decide for herself what path she takes in life.

I want my children to be the way THEY want to be. Though, if they had turned out to be thugs and wasters I would have been disappointed & felt responsible. Unless my parents had actively encouraged them in anti-social or illegal behaviour, I would not see my children's shortcomings as any fault of theirs.