I wish.....

We do what we do....our children are bound to have perceived it differently, no matter what we did.

I’ve often felt that my children missed out on a happier childhood because of their father’s unreasonable behaviour, but when I’ve questioned them, they assure me they only remember the happy times. Hopefully this is so, I’m glad my grandchildren have a much more relaxed upbringing.

Yes, it’s so very different with grandchildren isnt it. Carefree love knowing that you can give them back at the end of the day.!

Oh I can relate to that! Back in the day we were working so hard to keep our heads above water ......DH was paid in cash and Thursday was our finance day, jars labelled for various bills, did the kids need shoes etc and if there was £1 left over we could go out for lunch that week! Only a £1! But we had walks, picnics, I think we did okay. But yes I do wonder could we have done it better?

When I think about how I have played with my grandchildren (pre covid) it makes me wish that I'd had that type of fun with my own children. Time spent with the grandchildren has been without worry re time, money, mess etc ?

I wish that too poppyred but my children say they wish they could also go back to their happy childhood so that must mean I did a good enough job. The same probably applies to your family. Sometimes we’re so busy getting by and doing our best we don’t realise that by providing care and stability we are giving ourselves and our families the vital ingredient for happiness. Not sure that makes sense but hopefully you get the gist.

I think it's pretty normal to look back and see things that you'd have done differently if you had your time again. It's just important to remember that hindsight is everything and you did your best and made the decisions that seemed right at the time. None of us are perfect parents. There's no such thing. It doesn't mean that overall you weren't a great parent though.

Do your regrets of the past hamper your joy of the present with your children? Have you run any of these thoughts past them? Think you may find their concept is different to yours. Hope so.