Topic : 08/01 Perfectionist Moms

Dr. Phil,

It made me feel so-o-o-o good to see this show.  I am a single mother and have been for 10 years, my daughter turned 18 last week - whew!! It has been a wonderful experience to raise her with good values and a sense of independence and watch her use it, and most of the time it turns out good, but sometimes she learns a valueable lesson from her mistakes.  She is a good girl (not perfect - thank God!), she makes good grades and is going to college in September. (college of her choice in her chosen profession!!)

The day before this show aired, my daughter and 2 of her friends came home from school and stated that their teacher said that I was to easy and not strict enough on my child, because I let them make a day trip to 6 flags in texas - 3.5 hours from home.  They left eary that morning, called me when they got there, called on the way home.  It was her and 7 of the other seniors from her school.  It really made me angry that and adult person of authority would talk about a childs parent like that to begin with. 

I agreed with everything you said on that show, I have raised my child evidently in similar fashion to you and Robin.  I never said "My child would never do that.", I always said " I HOPE my child will not do that".

Thankls for a great show, I sure hope her teacher was watching!!

Sincerely

Karen

If the money spent on the beauty pageants, shows, etc., had been set aside in a college fund, then it might not be necessary to push for a full academic scholarship.

Its great for parents to want more for their children and to hope that they do better than they did, but not to demand perfection.

Parents of all the kids should be pleased with their children.

Mom that wants daughter to lose weight- she never will if you push it continually.

This was right on.  I am 48 and my mother still thinks it is all about her.  I recenlty lost my job after almost 19 years and she was yelling at me and telling me what to do.  I had to stop taking her calls.  Then she called my friends (at work!) and relatives to tell them to call me and tell me what to do!!  She thinks she is still supposed to mother me like a child, rather than learning to move the relationship to a NEW phase. 

She actually called me (left message since I wasn't answering) to let me know that she was going to watch this show.  So far her phone calls have tapered off to a few times a week, rather than several++ per day. I'm not sure how long it will last, but at least this week, I have some peace.

Thanks for the show Dr. Phil!!