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Whom do you admire?  

post #1 of 14
4/25/05 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
If you had to choose one great parent, whom would it be? I have been thinking about Atticus from To Kill A Mockingbrid. I think Harper Lee created the most GD parent ever! (I believe she used her own father as the model... lucky her.) I think instead of picking up another parenting book, I will reread that. Think about it... he was completely nonjudgemental, loving while allowing space, never spanked, explained everything, allowed his kids to learn from natural consequences... the list could go on and on.
post #2 of 14
4/25/05 at 12:57pm
Um, I do remember Atticus as being a pretty great parent, but I distinctly remember a spanking in that book. Scout had said something hurtful to someone, I think?
post #3 of 14
4/25/05 at 1:40pm
If we're doing great literary character parents, then my vote is for Cordelia Naismith, of the Vorkosigan series of books by Lois McMaster Bujold.

Cordelia is a professional scientist and leader who marries Aral, a man of a very different culture. Their firstborn, Miles, is significantly physically disabled, very gifted, and hyperactive. ;->

Her parenting style is great, and the books follow the family from before Cordelia nad Aral meet, until Miles' own children are born, so the development of the parent child relationships through the books is also fascinating.
post #4 of 14
4/25/05 at 1:59pm
Dan and Roseanne Conner. Hands down.
post #5 of 14
4/25/05 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silliest
If we're doing great literary character parents, then my vote is for Cordelia Naismith, of the Vorkosigan series of books by Lois McMaster Bujold.
Oooh, I second - that series is one of my favorites!
post #6 of 14
4/25/05 at 2:58pm
Wow! I'm amazed anyone else has heard of her ;->

I mean, on the SF sites, yeah, but I've met few people in non-SF-oriented forums who read the stuff :-)

I left my Bujold's behind when we moved from New Zealand to Texas... I *almost* regret it, but maybe I can pick up some nicer copes <LOL!> Some of mine had been read to death ;-p
post #7 of 14
4/25/05 at 8:27pm
Thread Starter 
No, I didn't mean literary or TV characters specifically. I just don't know any GD parents IRL . I was just thinking sometimes you learn more from other people instead of nonfiction, self help kind of books even though they are helpful. I was just interested in hearing about some admirable people and why they are admired.

TortelliniMama, I don't think Atticus ever spanked, but I do remember Jem fearing that. I'm not sure Atticus gave him a reason to though. It may have just been the times.
post #8 of 14
4/25/05 at 8:34pm
MamaDuck right here at MDC!
post #9 of 14
4/25/05 at 9:30pm
<heh>

I don't know any IRL, either :-/


Hey! I used to think Mr Rogers was my real dad, does that count? <LOL!>

I know a couple of moms who think they're GD because they don't smack or raise their voices, but some of the things they say to their kids... I dunno... maybe it's me.

But bribery and threats just don't seem very gentle no matter how soft the voice.

I tend to yell, and god knows I'm not perfect, but I'm *trying* to stick to non-coercive parenting even as I holler "WE *CAN'T* GO TO THE PARK, YOU'RE NAKED!" (and where we live, I'm not taking a naked kid outdoors. Child molesters are a "natural consequence", too :-/)

The thing that gets me most about GD is the lack of understanding and support from others. I do wish there were more, and more prominent role models out there.

I know the theory behind non-coercive parenting, and child-led learning, but I just don't know what I'm *doing* half the time <LOL!>
post #10 of 14
4/25/05 at 9:58pm
Thread Starter 
That's what I mean. In theory we can go on and on learning, but it would be really helpful to see GD in action. I learn so much just from the real life examples here! That's what make me think of that character. I was reading the "good job" thread and thought about how Atticus really explained everything to Scout and modeled tolerance. My DS is still quite young, so I am trying to get into good habits with him now.
post #11 of 14
4/25/05 at 10:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silliest
Mr Rogers
It just doesn't get any better than Fred Rogers, IMO. Mrs. March from Little Women was pretty great, too....

I remember a spank in TKAM too, but I think it was delivered by Calpurnia (the housekeeper/nanny, who mothered the children).
post #12 of 14
4/25/05 at 10:04pm
Oh, and I Atticus Finch! (and Calpurnia....despite the spank)
post #13 of 14
4/25/05 at 10:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SugarAndSun
TortelliniMama, I don't think Atticus ever spanked, but I do remember Jem fearing that. I'm not sure Atticus gave him a reason to though. It may have just been the times.
You're right. I was at the library tonight (picking up Unconditional Parenting ), and they had To Kill A Mockingbird out on the display shelf at the front. It's the book for "One Book New Jersey" or whatever that program's called. Anyway, I flipped through and found the scene I was thinking of. It was her uncle who spanked her, not Atticus. But, since I'm not sure I've read it since high school, I guess memory lapses are to be expected. If I didn't already have a bunch of books at home (plus, now, Uncond Parenting!), I would have picked it up to re-read it.
post #14 of 14
4/26/05 at 3:00am
Quote:
Dan and Roseanne Conner. Hands down
:LOL :LOL

Seriously though...I would have to say Crystal Lutton. I don't know her irl, but I do online, and she is so wise and full of understanding, with a great sense of humor and a heart for children...I wish she was my mama!! :LOL She has a website at www.aolff.org
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