Parents often wonder: How can I not make the mistakes my parents made? Really, by simply asking that question, you are on your way to answering it. Once you identify what you think the mistakes are that they made, then you intentionally don't make them. There's a funny temptation to repeat some of the mistakes your parents made, but if you use insight, you usually can stop yourself from doing that. And cut your parents some slack. Being a parent is pretty tough. Your parents were probably better than you give them credit for being, and you, sort of, hope your kids will cut you some slack in the years to come