Single Parent Families = BAD kids?

And what does he say about families with two parents where the children don't turn out so well? :-) It's the parenting...

If we believe that kids now a days are so smart then we should not blame the fact that they grew up with just one parent. It's true, it's a greatfactor that a single mom/dad should know how to discipline their kids he/she must do her /his role double time. What I mean is don't give your kids a chance to blame you of what they've become because they only got you as their parent. On the other hand like what i've said kids now are so intelligent that they can easily adopt to the kind of situation they have. It's a matter of building a correct attitude or implanting good values to your kids while they're young.

No, not all single parent families are like that, it has a lot to do with parenting and discipline. However, remember this, blood is thicker than water. You are saying something against his mother, and rather it right or wrong, he'll defend her. You don't say how old his siblings are, but sounds like she needed to dole out a little more discipline than being their friend, someone has to be the parent.

Well, I can answer this question from experience. I am a single mother of 4 children. My children are not "bad." I agree with you on this. It is all a matter of how the children are raised and if they have good parenting or not. Not all kids from single parent families turn out bad. If you discipline children and teach them right from wrong instead of trying to be their best friend and let them get away with everything they will turn out to be good kids. I do not see it as my job as a mother to be my childrens friend. I am there to ensure that they are raised properly and prepared for adulthood and that they are responsible, respectful citizens. I do not agree with your husband at all.

No, the number of parents isn't a factor, just the quality of parenting. I know kids who came from single-parent households who are lovely and others that came from "traditional" families who are very screwed up.

Everyone is affected by their upbringing, but when we reach a certain age we are responsible for ourselves, like how your husband (I am assuming) turned out better than his siblings. I know that there are many great single parents out there, so I agree with you, it either the way your mother in law parents or it was no ones fault - it is not because they were raised by one instead of two parents.

Not all single parent families are this way. My daughter's best friend was raised by her mom. Her father was rarely ever in her life. She has a brother as well and he's a good kid. She graduated high school and is now taking college courses at CCBC and her brother gets good grades in middle school. Thier mother has done a wonderful job of raising them without the help of a man. There was a time this woman worked two jobs to provide a decent life for these kids. When my daughter befriended her I didn't think much of her but she is a decent influence on my daughter and she influences her friend right back. Not all single parent families are bad at least not as bad as some two parent households can be and I've seen them too.

not necessarily children of single parents will behave poorly. all depends how the parents had taught her. I feel you are right. Your husband's parents lack of discipline to their children as early as possible.

Yeah it's bad parenting but it's not the parent singleness factor. I know single parents who are good with kids, and their kids grew up to be generally good. I'm single too, and I'm not the only one out there. It really depends on the parent's values, attitudes, upbringing, so on and so forth.

I don't think that single parents immediately equal to bad kids. There are millions of bad kids with two parents. It depends more on the kind of parent or parents you have. If he, she or they are not good at parenting, that kid will turn into a bad kid, and a bad adult in the future.

For me, to discipline the children from an early age plays an important role in nurturing them. It is good to feel like being friends with the children because the more that the kids will open up especially in times of problems. Because, they develop a certain relationship which is not just a bond between a parent and a son or daughter relationship. Bottom line is to maintain a right guidance for the children. It will help them think as they grow older for what is right or wrong. It would also depend the child if he/she wants to be in a bad influence. With constant guidance they will be in a right path. I know several persons having a single parent who become successful in their lives and they say that it is more of a guidance from the person they love.

I think you are right, it is definitely not the single parenting thing. You have to be both a friend to your kids and an authority. They need to know where the line is. One cannot dominate the other. I stand by this, and in this situation I stand by you.

hi, i'm a single mother of a 10-year old child. i think i have raised my child well because she's excelling at school. she's respectful too..i know some single parents too that have raised their child/children well..bad kids results also from complete parents. i think it's a matter of discipline and teaching moral/good lessons by parents and parents setting good examples that we could create good/righteous children..environment plays a role too.