In your experience, who knows best?

I believe that it depends on the parent. There are things that my ex has taught my children the I couldn’t. He also taught them traits that I wish they could forget. In my life it was my mother but that was because my father was an alcoholic. My life experience would have to say ‘It depends on the person.’

About baking, sewing, cooking, balancing the checkbook and when we were due at school: Mom. About cyclotrons, government regulations, catching German soldiers, how to give a speech and electronics: Dad. All of this is so individual. I don’t think it is possible to build a working stereotype out of the memories of a few dozen posters.

My genetic father was killed when I was 2 mos old and my mother was only 17. I had a step-father from age 2 who raised me as his only child. For as long as I can remember I thought he was one of the smartest men I’ve ever known. When it comes down to it mom really was the smart one…she married him.

I voted for me mum because I think she had the greatest influence on me, but I really listened to my dad too. He was self educated and went very far with it. Artistic and smart and taught me how to garden. He was always planting a tree somewhere or letting me open the beehives with him. He was a weekend gentleman rancher - rode a tractor not a horse, but grew alfalfa for the horses. Killed a rattler when it needed it with the end of a shovel. He used to buy king snakes from some snake guy in Santa Ana or somewhere and have his secretary June pick them up for him. She always told that story to us and how freaked out she was. The snakes were to ‘plant’ near the house at the ranch in order to keep the rattlers away. It worked for a long time.

I always got great business advice from him and how to deal with the men in the business world. He was irreplaceable and I sure do miss him.

As an only child I thought both my parents equally knew best. When I was a teenager, I thought neither of them knew as much as I did. As a single parent I realized that I’d better darn well know best, and now, as a grandmother, I think my mother and father knew much more than I ever gave them credit for.

My father has never been anything but unfailingly supportive. While I love my mother, and cherish her friendship, she has a critical edge that I’ve had to learn to overlook. They’re both wonderful, and I could not ask for better parents, but when it comes down to it, I’m a daddy’s girl.

Both gave me their best.
The rest I had to learn for myself along the way.

My mom refused to help us with homework. She thought my dad was smarter than she was, so anything he said became law.

It depends on the topic. Mom was great with school work, advice on personal relationships, entertaining, home decorating, shopping, travel. My dad was great with business, world events, finance. My mom freely gave advice. My dad rarely did. only when specifically asked. I needed them both and miss them both. I love Maurine’s answer. So very true.

So, where does a kid go for advise who has an absent Father and a mean abusive Mother? You learn VERY young to be independent, cook your meals, wash your clothes, and listen to your own heart and mind for what is best for you. some people should never have children.