What method of parenting makes your home run the best?

i.e., do you run a very strict household, lenient, chaotic, military, religious, etc........i want to hear what works and doesnt work for other people.What method of parenting makes your home run the best?
I think I run a loving home. One that is full of rules - but also rewards for following the rules. And all though my husband would say that I am to lienent - I believe that kids are kids and should be allowed to be kids. Make mistakes - learn from them - not necessarily be punished for a week for something that didn't even hurt anyone. My kids do get spanked from time to time but not often at all (once ever 3-4 months maybe less) and usually only have to do this in order to snap them back into a routine of listening. I tell my kids - so that they know- that even though mommy is mad at them - I love them very much and that will never change no matter what they do. They are both good kids. They don't hurt anyone - they can talk a lot - or fuss with eachother - but they are kids.What method of parenting makes your home run the best?
I run my sister's household and I use a combination of things--we have a fairly strict schedule. With that in place, it helps keep everything else in line--including behavior. When kids know what's going to happen next, they are less likely to lash out and show bad behavior. We use time outs and the time outs don't start until you're quiet and sitting appropriately. One minute for each year of age.





At the same time, I'm not afraid to take the kids out past certain times on occasion for something special. For example, my niece was at soccer practice, so I took the little guy to the library. However, on the way, we passed a friend's house and saw them playing outside so we stopped to say hi and ended up all going out for dinner together. So, dinner wasn't from 5:30-6, it was from 6-7, but that was ok because it doesn't happen every day.





I tend to give the kids an element of choice in their activities or foods whenever possible, and I always ask them to help if they want. We usually put on music and dance around while making dinner.





So, I'd say a combination of being strict with the rules in place, but also lenient when it comes to spontaneity and trying different things.
Well, if you go by the parenting books, all those styles boils down to three major styles; Autocratic (do as I tell you to, and don't talk back to me/ discipline first, kudos a distant second/ usually children know respect through fear). Permissive (indulgent parenting, first desire is to please the child, discipline a far second/ not usually very consistent households when it comes to rules/ chaotic.) And then there is Democratic (Everything is based on consistency:love first, discipline close second. Child has ability to respectfully voice opinions and express themselves without fear. They are usually understood and heard as equal members of the family, although they understand that there is a heirachy in the home, and parent shall have the ultimae last word. If there is a need to for a punishment, it is most important to have them understand WHY what they did was unacceptable behavior. Usually makes for a well rounded child). I was raised in an autocratic home and thought it a home where we were fearfully lead into respecting our parents. When my sister and I statrted having children, we both went opposite ways. I run a Democratic Household whereas my sister runs a Permissive household. Our homes and children couldn't be more different. I read a lot about child rearing and wnated to make sure that I was in cintrol of my home, but also that my children did not fear me, as I wanted them to always feel like they could come to me. My sister simply didn't want to be thought of as strict. So all in all, Democratic parenting works for me, because I get the best of both worlds; well mannered, well spoken children who respect adults without the slightest fear, and I RARELY have my final word challenged. Blessings.....
Um well, my parenting is a lot different then most.


I have 5 kids and they are 3, 5, 6. My 6 year olds are twins and my 3 year olds are twins.


Once they get to be about 10 or 11 i will set some rules such as you have to be home by the time it gets dark and they have to have their cell phones with them. I am good friends with everyone in the neighborhood and i trust all of them. My house is huge so they dont go out side very often and they enjoy being able to do what ever they want.


My kids and I and my boyfriend have a strong relationship and it is because i dont hold them in and i let them be free and develope there own personallity. One thing that I would say is to not baby your kids after they are 3 or 4. I have different rules for each kid and i have family rules that apply to every one such as making the bed or something as simple as brushing your teeth and your hair. They are allowed to have up to 3 friends over every day and i feel that they have learned to socialize faster and they arent afraid to meet new people. But thats just me and i hope that all of you enjoy being a parent because it is an amazing thing and it is a blessing. And if i could, i would change the way i am with my kids because i dont think i am a very good mom. I would say that you should be their mom or dad before their friend and thats something that i have not done.
well, for an outside observer my home would look chaotic.... and i don't really have a word for it... my home is run by a schedule.....sort of





I have this big chalk board in my kitchen, when the kids are getting ready for school I write on it... what must be done that day, whats for dinner, everybody's daily chores.





%26amp; besides that i have a schedule that i live by.... I wash dishes after breakfast and before bed.... i do laundry every monday and every friday....i schedule all appointments %26amp; go to the grocery on thursdays.....





but other than that, every thing gets done when it gets done... and lucky for me, it all works out.
Our house runs well on a foundation of mutual respect. We assume that everyone has a desire to be the best person they can be in the home %26amp; in the world and work together to help each other reach that potential. We are a somewhat socialist democracy, where everyone understands that mom %26amp; dad are, in the end, responsible for the well-being of all of the people in the house and, therefore, show us respect in that role.
Strict and religious. It works well for us and the children are very well-behaved. I'd not be pregnant with #4 if the first 3 children weren't respectful and behaved. I never want a passing person to throw me a dirty look for having a housefull of brats that are tearing something up.
we have rules and the kids have chores





they clean their bathroom, bedrooms, bring down the laundry, they put the groceries away and laundry away.





they get points and prizes for good behavior and doing chores but it;s something thats expected in our house





we teach manners and expect the kids to be respectful such as dont talk back to adults and using kind words.





I also find that talking to them and explaining things and asking them to do things and pitch in has made our family run better and made my life much easier and enjoyful.





my kids are 6 and 7 and the order helped when they were younger and now that they are getting bigger the consistancy helps us flow.





I'm pregnant with # 3 but wouldnt even think about havingthis baby if the first 2 werent so good.
well my mom and dad are all about trust. Nothing happens to me unless I have proven to be untrust worthy. My parents expect good grades from us, and I got a C on my report card..for pen-manship, and I was grounded for a week but since some things have come up I have been ungrounded. By I hate nothing more than to be not trust worthy to my parents. I guess that was just the way I was raised. I don't need grounding, all I need them to say is ';You disappointed me.'; Or ';You Have Lost My Trust.'; I hate that nothing crushes me more than to hear those words...and they never second guess anything we do..Unless we have lost their trust..(Which I have really only done once) they they will probably tell me no..until I prove myself.
I look at how and what they need and with that I will decide what action I should then take but I have it very strict because I have two small boys and like for them to show me and my husband respect, so I bend the little tree while it is still small
We use Parenting with Love and Logic. It encourages responsibility and we never have to be the ';bad guys.';
Love and Logic methods work best for mine. Failing that, I lean much more towards strict than lenient. I'm not a fan of the popular lenient parenting trends.
Not having any kids.