What makes someone a good parent?

Parenting is the hardest job I've done in my life; it is challenging, exhausting, demanding and a few other adjectives that I can't think of (probably because I'm too exhausted)... It is also rewarding, pleasant, motivational, and the best experience of all.. I wouldn't change it for the world...
With that said, I often ask myself, what makes someone a good parent?  What makes ME a good mother? what makes others better mothers than me?
I was recently faced with a hostile environment/experience, where I was clearly being judged for my parenting choices, which I obviously consider the best, otherwise I wouldn't make them...
I let my kids run around on their own when we're in playgrounds, I'm not on top of them all day long, I let them stay up past 8 pm, I let them pick their own foods and I don't force them to nap if they aren't sleepy!  My kids often whine, throw tantrums and aren't in their best behaviors; some other times they are the sweetest kids in the world...Am I a bad mother for that?  I guess I am in the eyes of some...
I believe I am raising confident children, who have choices in life and I am providing them with the tools to make the best of what they have and be the best they can be. I shouldn't have to explain myself to others, because I LOVE my children and that is the bottom line.....
I'm sure most parents (including myself), have found themselves making mistakes in their parenting days, because no one is perfect and we all struggle with this responsibility....
So, to all parents who judge others, you should look at yourself in the mirror first and worry about raising your own children instead of criticizing others... it's just sad that someone gets to say I'm horrible because I decided to get my daughter's ears pierced or because I let her chew gum on occasion..how dumb is this world??