Mom Vs. Dad Parenting Styles.

The difference between mom and dad with the kids is: mom will watch the kids like a hawk to prevent things from happening and do everything she can to keep the kids safe. For example ...don't ride your bike on the cement driveway you will get hurt...don't run in the house...blah..blah..Dad on the other hand will let them (if he is in charge of watching them) rip and roar through the house and tune them out. You come home and see the mess and ask him..."Where are the kids and how do you know they're ok if you're in here and they're downstairs?" the Dad's reply will usually be something like, "Well, I know they're alive because I can hear them screaming." lol The best of luck on your essay.

I just heard a talk the other day by John Rosemond. He said the difference between men and women in parenting is that women read all the books by the so-called experts. Therefore, the women are freaked out about everything. Dads not so much. He said that parents used to let children be children. They didn't have the world circulate around them. Today, parents, and often moms in particular, worry about every aspect of their lives: playdates (we never had those when we were kids-we just went outside and found our own playdate), countless sporting activities (kickball in the street anyone?), the right preschool, the right elementary school, etc. We are obsessed. Dads don't tend to be so effected by the experts, and let kids be kids more.

Not so much my story, but a funny one that illustrates the point. My daughter has a good friend whose dad is often the one to do the playdates. One day we were going to the beach (his idea). Before we leave the house, I get out the sunscreen and bathing suit to get her dressed. His daughter is wearing capri-length pants and a shirt (all t-shirt material). After prompting he starts slathering only the exposed areas. When I ask him "what about when you put on her bathing suit?" he says "Oh, I didn't bring one. I just figure I'll let her swim in her clothes." We go to the beach, they get pretty wet, and when it is time to leave I ask him about a change of clothes. He says "oh yeah, let me check what I have." He then reaches into the bag and, among other things, pulls out the bathing suit his wife packed for the trip.

I'm the working parent and my husband stays at home.....can you just tell me why in the H@#$ my kids can't have clean hands and face when I get home (yep, they are usually eating dinner with nasty paws!) Honestly, I DO mean this to be light-hearted and funny (I USUALLY laugh) but really!?!? How about a bon-fire on my dining room table (ya know, just trying to roast some smores, mom!) No harm done, but a great story when someone asks about the black spot on our lovely dining room table! You probably think we live in danger, but I like to say it's just a normal day...as my kids get older (6 and 5) things are much better, but I think it's my kids that are learning...Honestly, my husband and kids are awesome; I truly think sometimes, though, that a higher power keeps them (me) sane --oops, I mean SAFE! LOL (doesn't that mean "laugh out loud?" OR does it mean I'm a "little old lady?!")
Good luck on your writing assignment!!!!!
K

My husband and I are F. parents, so that sometimes leads to even more differences, but this is too funny not to share. I was "sleeping" in because I didn't have to be anywhere for a while and my husband was up with our three F. kids the Saturday after Christmas. For Christmas the older two kids had gotten bath robes, the youngest (who had just turned 3) didn't get one becuase I couldn't find one we could afford small enough. The younger two however, had gotten "animal" towels for Christmas. When I got up, between the older F. kids and my husband, they had dressed the youngest in her "robe" -- a "monster" towel that they belted at the waist with the moster hood over her head. It was too funny! We took pictures of it to laugh about later too.

It really depends on the person. My husband is a great disciplinarian and a very skillful manager. When he is with the kids expect every one to be productively busy, responsible and happy. He is unable to run a household though, I have always done that. With the kids,I am just a mom, I guess, I love the kids and let them get away with a lot of stuff. We balance each other well.