I wouldn't. . .

Karen, 22
Marshalltown/Ames, IA  USA

No such thing.

Firelady, 23
Dallas, TX   USA

Not too strict, not too loose, reasonable, logical, there.

Alias Irrelevante

The ideal mother and father would not be afraid to show affection - both to me and to each other.

Reba, 50+
Silver Spring, MD  USA

I don't know if there is an ideal mother or father. Everyone has their faults. I for one would just like a father that's arround.

Keri-Jade, 21
Brampton, Ontario  CANADA

Money fountain! *grin*

Talia, 24
Wilton, CT   USA

My Mom and Dad...

Christina
MI   USA

A Christian
Morals, Values
Loving
Respectful
Hard-working
Responsible
Patient
Caring
Reliable

Melodi, 19
Gahanna, OH   USA

Harold and Patricia Sullivan

Kevin, 33
Sugar Hill, GA  USA

I think mine came pretty close. The loved enough to let me find my own path, but cared enough to butt in.

Felicia, 35
Lowell, MA   USA

there is no such thing. If someone was to define it, I am sure that the "ideal" mother would not be "a 22 year old tattoed and pierced vegetarian wiccan ruby-red haired single mama living in her parents basement while working her way through tech school" would not be the way that they would define it. Am I an ideal mother? Not even close. But I do love my son and do my best to make sure that he wants for nothing and knows he is a special  and loved part of this family.

Maggie, 22
Sandwich, IL   USA

A successful parent sees a child as a person, not as an extension of self. "Ideal"? Parents are people and all people fall short of "ideal".

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg, PA  USA

One who keeps you safe and secure while giving you marvelous little (and sometimes huge) tips on how to survive on your own. One who provides precious memories to carry throughout your lifetime.

Fisch, 46
Preston, CT   USA

Well, the ideal mother, for me, would be someone who is just there. As for a father, mine was great!

Nicci, 27
Las Vegas, NV   USA

Caring, straightforward, loving, supportive of all decisions (whether or not they agree with the decision), encouraging, and trusting.

Angela, 18
Bella Vista, AR  USA

A person who provides unconditional love and sensible discipline and is attuned to the needs of the child.

Jane, 62
West Linn, OR   USA

kind, loving, caring and having a touch of understading will.

Nathan

Someone who loves you for what you are and gives you roots to grow and wings to soar.

Janet, 44
N. Brunswick, NJ  USA

My parents. Loving. Supportive. Goofy. Human. They made plenty of mistakes but I would not have wanted them any other way.

Laura, 37
Lowell, MA   USA

Not sure that there is an ideal parent. If there were I would say that being supportive, communicative and loving would be good qualities to have.

Celeste, 30
Colorado Springs, CO  USA

Yesterday / Tomorrow