From Dobson, to Pearl, to Ezzo, to Godly Tomatoes, to Attachment Parenting, to Grace-based discipline, and on and on and on.  I’ve read many of them, talked to different people who represented both ends of the spectrum.  And I’ve learned that they are all simply theories or anecdotes of what worked best for a particular child or family.  Is there a best approach?  I don’t think so. 

The only approach that seems to work best in our house is a flexible approach.  A parent who is ready and willing to admit that they’ve made mistakes and one who can make changes and be creative until an effective solution is reached.  Every child is so different.  Every parent is so different.  How can one style fit you, your spouse, and all your children equally? 

No, you have to be constantly on your toes, constantly evolving.  Every day is different.  What worked one day might not work the next.  What seemed perfect on paper may be a disaster in real-life.  What you thought would be effective was actually a mistake. 

I can’t put myself comfortably in the box with any of the popular theories and practices.  My approach is the surprise attack.  I have to continually surprise myself by coming up with effective, loving, creative, and constant approaches.  Why the surprise attack?  Because, I feel like I’m always under a surprise attack.  My kids are forever inventing new ways to disobey, talk back, and throw fits.  Their creativity never ceases to surprise me.  Therefore, I must be ready to have a response.

Sure, it helps to read all of the above books and have a bag of tricks ready for whatever situation may arise.  Many of the authors have raised children and some even grandchildren.  They have some great ideas and some good thoughts.  But I don’t know how you could possibly categorize yourself.  I simply use the Godly approach.  I pray, I obey, and then work with my children to do the same.  Amazing how that approach works every time…….