How do you know?

i don't have any regrets. i see him progressing normally, he smiles readily, and is outwardly shining. i have no reason to think i'm not doing a good job.
besides, he calls me The Best Mom In The World..and that's all that matters!

He is happy and healthy. He is doing well in school. He tells me that he loves me and says I am the bestest mom ever.

I see them growing happy and well adjusted, doing well in school.
I'm not saying I haven't made mistakes, I have, but we deal with that in the best possible way we can, we ask for help from professionals when we feel we need it.
But, for the most part, my boys are very sweet and friendly, they're happy, developing normally, they have friends and are healthy. I couldn't have screwed up that badly then, lol

Sharon

You won't really know until they have started a career

I worry at times like most parent I would imagine. I see it as looking at the big picture. I realize I don't get to decide if I did a good job. This is a matter of perspective and only my child will be the one to look back and decide if the parents who raised him did well in caring for all his important needs. It may be I think my job is done well but despite every effort this child can still feel slighted or not cared for in some way. I try to keep in mind to enjoy life now and enjoy this time. The rest will sort itself out.

The most important goal I had as a mother, was for my kids to know that I loved them. I learned that from my dad. He always said that he tried to make all of his decisions out of love, especially discipline. If he was disciplining out of frustration or anger he'd walk away until he was calm.

But primarily, just make the best decisions that you can. My kids are pretty much grown. They're pretty great boys despite the mistakes I've made. All I can do is hope that they know that I did my best, and that I made the choices that I made out of love.

Depending on age. Did they survive? You are at least adequate. Did you feed them, clothe them, and provide at least minimal health and dental care. Did you give them an education and encourage them? Did you give them something to believe in. Good.

Skip survival if child had a debilitating condition or illness or an accident.. No offense is meant.

Skip also if child is very young. Gowth is a great determiner as to whether you are adequate.

I can tell you how to tell if you are awesome.
You never made a mistake. OOps strike that you would be dead which would make you a bad parent for leaving them or a saint.

LOL
This is tongue in cheek

You can only know if you are doing the best you can or not. This is all you can and what matters most.

How do I know? Hmm, well I have compassionate, empathic children who treat others and themselves with respect. I must be doing something right.

When my oldest was 5 he was running in a "fun run" for school. Despite the name there were many parents and children who took the "first 10 in win a big fancy ribbon" part to heart. DS was running his little tail off and holding his own quite well. A few paces ahead of him another child fell. A good half-dozen boys dodged around him as he struggled to get up off the ground without getting stepped on. My son stopped, helped the boy up, and didn't start running again until he was sure the other kid was ok and ready to continue the race.

One example of many that tell me I'm doing something right.

"You won't really know until they have started a career"

I just had to laugh. I guess my mom did an awful, terrible job since she raised two SAHMs and three boys who married women who stay at home also.
I know I'm doing a great job because my kids are healthy, happy and well behaved.