Parenting Styles - who knew?

I enjoy being a Mummy.

I enjoy spending time with my Princess and enjoy seeing an amazing human being developing and growing.

My parenting style has changes dramatically over the past two years, obviously as she grows and new challenges present themselves, new tactics and skills are required from me! The other big change has been that I am now so much more relaxed. I started off as a manic mother and I hope I have eased off A LOT.

Maybe I am lucky or maybe I have done a good job parenting but the Princess is so good and a joy to be around.

Just lately I have noticed that my way of parenting has been quite zero tolerance compared to others but this seems to have paid off and we now have a princess who rarely needs telling off and if she does - it's all over in five minutes. Of course it is still early days and it could all go horribly wrong but right now - she's great.

Some parents don't share my opinion and believe that their little angels couldn't possibly be told off, they believe that a bit of push and shove is all part of learning to socialise and develop independence and confidence (Rubbish! It's just that fact that your child is a bully and you don't want to take any action about it incase little 'trevor' doesn't like you)and some think its character building (oooh, he knows what he wants! - Don't we all but we don't smash others in the face to get it!!!!)

I am also learning that in comparison to many middle class parents, I am a stern downright hard mum but this side of me rarely has to come to the front as the Princess is an angel (99% of the time).

My point with all of this waffle is really me wondering if it is the brilliance of my parenting that has created such an intelligent, well behaved, kind, generous child or has it been luck? Maybe I will get a huge shock with the next bambino and all of my 'skills' will be proved inadequate, shoddy and downright ineffective - baby two could be a beast who screams all day long and smashes other children out of the way.

All I say is, I am new at this and am making it up as I go along but with a lot of love and tons of attention I think children thrive and so that is the way I will continue - am I right? OF COURSE I ALWAYS AM!!!!