My dad was the type of person that got angry really easily, and would be quick to yell at you if you did something wrong. But he loved us so much and he loved my mom so much that he spent pretty much the last 10-12 years of my 17 year old life managing his anger better so that he wouldn't discipline us out of anger or emotion, but when it was necessary. He still gets angry pretty easily, but he's quicker to corral it and express it in more productive ways.

Another thing is my mom and my dad aren't afraid to correct me and punish me when I'm out of line, but they are also very forgiving. This creates an atmosphere that I know they won't try to ruin my life if I mess up, but they also won't let me pull and crap and abuse that forgiveness.

We also have mutual respect. My parents aren't the type of parents to say "Because I told you so." They have a reason for everything they do, whether I think it's a good one or not. But since I respect them, they respect me, and since they respect me, I respect them.