What kind of parenting style do you live by?

[Littleraysofsunshine]

Attachment/gentle? Strict with routine.....etc?

I'm still trying to figure out mine. All I know is I want to not shout a lot, keep calm and have fun with my babies.... Sometimes it can be very tough emotionally. It I just want to not snap so quickly at dd1. :( feel terrible

My kids are age 2, 4 and 6 and my parenting style is somewhere between the two extremes. I wouldn't describe myself as an attachment parent and I definitely didn't / don't have a strict routine.

I don't make them finish their plates or use the naughty step, but I do try to teach them to be kind to others. I try not to shout at them, but also accept that I am human and it will happen sometimes. I try to embrace them for who they are and not waste energy on wishing they were more like the perfect baby who sleeps through, never hits another child etc etc.

I tell them I love them. I read to them and play with them but also remember that I am a person too, with my own needs and interests, and I don't want to lose sight of that!

Sorry - that turned into a bit of an essay!

That was a lovely essay

I feel the same really. I get upset with myself if I result to raising my voice as its not what I want to be doing. I also feel that i don't want to lose sight of my own individuality and have recognised that recently. (treating myself to a few clothes and not just going to the children's section!) I still feel very guilty about the thought of leaving them (as in to go to the cinema when do is home) just because I've been with them 24/7 for the past 10months.....

I don't want to use smacking, I always try to teach my dd to be kind. Use kind words etc. I want to be a parent that my children feel they can talk to, feel safe with and above all feel like I'm unconditionally living and embracing them. Tantrums and all!

I don't have a style but I do love a nice bit of routine, inasmuch as mealtimes, bathtime and bedtime are at similar times day to day. All I know is I don't want to shout, was dragged up by a shouter and she terrified me, I won't smack... Er, think that's it!

I don't really have a clue what I'm doing, but I love him so much I could eat him and if I look at him too long I tear up a bit. Even when he is disgusting and smells funny and is covered in yoghurt, or when he's having some manner of melt-down tantrum and being vile. And sometimes he sits on me and strokes my hair and kisses my nose. So I figure that with all this hippy lovey-dovey stuff floating about we'll sort of develop something between us that works!

Just out of interest How do you deal with your toddlers tantrums ladies?

I ignore it. No idea if that's the right thing to do. Obviously if he's sad then I'll comfort him, but if it's random stroppy rage I just don't react. Seems to be working at the moment, I just go and do something else and nine times out of ten he's too nosy to carry on and will get up to see what I'm doing. But he's only 18mo and I fear they'll get worse and I'll probably be on here asking for new techniques... What do you do?

My parenting style is to slave over cook organic butternut squash risotto, then let my DC smother it with ketchup.

My initial intentions are good, even if the end result isn't brilliant.

We have a firm but fair (I hope) style. We have a set bedtime, we all sit down to dinner together and if DS3 misbehaves he gets a reminder and then if necessary a time out. Time outs are rare - maybe 1 or 2 a month at most, most of the time. We have rules and generally the kids stick to them albeit with a bit of reminding. We try very hard not to give in with a 'just this once' as that sets a precedent and I don't want the battles when it goes back to no next time. We expect respect and good manners but we give the same to the children. I work on the principle that I am a parent and not their friend - I have a close relationship with all my children but they know that I (and DH) am in charge and they respect that. My eldest is 18 and he and his GF choose to spend time with us and we all get along well so we must be doing something right :D

When DS3 was at the tantrum stage I would mostly ignore him - if he kicked off because I said no to having a biscuit right before dinner or example I would say something along the lines of "I know you're cross because I won't let you have a biscuit but very soon it will be dinner time and then we can all eat together" and then do my very best to ignore him.