This topic came up recently both in the forums when I was lurking a few weeks back and also recently in a conversation with some friends.

Personally, I think a good parent is someone who can teach their child important life lessons, yet can trust them enough to make the right decisions (and make mistakes, because how else can you learn?). I've seen the terrible effect of coddling your child (y'know, like never letting them out, even letting them talk to friends/people of the opposite six) and this person is now borderline-sociopathic, and it really hurts to see how such over protective parenting ruined her social skills (she is so awful in public situations, she'll pick a small skrawny guy and physically cling to him like an overly-attached girlfriend, which obviously gives off the wrong message because she's not interested in that).

I've also read some posts from parents here that I've agreed and disagreed with, so there's clearly a plethora of different 'techniques' to raising freshly-made humans, so let's here from this wretched hive of scum and villainy what you think makes a good parent, and how it is best to raise a child.

I should also add that my parents have so far given me a fantastic upbringing. They've been firm yet relaxed enough to let me know what independence feels like, and I feel I've molded my life into a pretty decent one because of this trust and freedom.

Hard but fair is a good motto for parenting.

Like Jagar said, hard but fair. No need to wrap them up in cotton and all, since that could affect them socially/have them remain dependant.

Keeping his wife and children happy. Simple as that. No more to say.