Respect for our children...

What we parents have to understand is that our children are certainly reflections of us, but they are NOT us, and sometimes, they are much BETTER people than we will ever be. If we remember and respect that, we can actually spend quality valuable time helping to mentor, provide guidance, and set good examples (the best within our means) for them, instead of "expecting them to do all the wrong things that we did and pretending to have profound insight into knowing who they are" when we don't even know ourselves... Should they be held forever in contempt for mistakes, bad decisions, and actions of our own during youth??? I will always be a parent/mom, but I do respect and love my children (all of them) for who they each have become and continue to become... and I will always be positively supportive and unconditionally protective... forever. But I also want to be the best listener, counselor, and non judgmental shoulder to cry on.