This study examined whether maternal personality mediated associations between marital satisfaction and parenting quality. Thirty mothers and their 2-year old children participated in an structured play task in a laboratory setting during which parenting behavior was observed. Mothers completed questionnaires assessing parenting practices, marital satisfaction, and personality. Contrary to expectation, few significant associations between marital satisfaction and parenting quality were obtained. However, associations were found between parenting and maternal personality traits, as well as between marital satisfaction and maternal personality traits.