Parenting Styles

Mommy's going on vacation without the wee ones leaving daddy in charge. While many fathers are beyond capable of manning the house on their own, they often times need to be prepped like they're going into war. An instruction manual with schedules spelled out, babysitter information and playdate contacts are filed away for safe keeping should mother not answer the urgent call. But little does mom know...when she's away, the kids will play... at least differently from their usual routine.

Many pops are less than skilled in their cooking abilities, which means trips to McDonald's are common. A happy meal and a ball pit all in one — what could sound better? While the babysitter may only visit the house on a typical Saturday night, she may be invited to keep the crew company all day so that dad can get some sane alone time to check a few things off his to-do list. And if he's feeling in a social mood, he may just rent a jumpy house for the heck of it and invite his momless buddies and their kiddos over for some brews and lemonade. And on any given day, solo dads and their offspring can be found wondering around amusement parks as they provide endless hours of entertainment and food. Some fellows take the kiddos to the ballpark or the museum for a lesson in sports or ancient artifacts.

What does your man do with your kids while you're catching up on some Mom-Me time?

Pack your bags working moms, we're going on a guilt trip. As if there's not enough blame to push on the working mother, a new report came out giving those of us in the work force another reason to feel self-conscience for bringing home some bacon. A British study found that children of working mums spent more time watching television and had poorer eating habits than their peers with stay-at-home moms. While that may be the case, there are ways to skirt that issue. For instance, when I found out my nanny was taking my daughter to the bakery every day for a cookie, I thanked her for the kind gesture and then kindly asked her to refrain from the tasty pastry stop unless it was for a special occasion. Where there's a will, there's a way, which means parents may have to put forth the extra effort to set up guidelines for the caretaker but it is by no means a given that a working mommy's child should be less fit and healthy than its counterparts.

Do you have certain restrictions outlined for your nanny?

Those who rule with an authoritative hand may be laughing all the way to the White House one day. According to a new study, stricter parents who challenge their children to stay between the lines may be raising future leaders of the world. Professors Maria Rotundo and Bruce Avolio found that moms and dads who set boundaries often give their children the opportunity to test their limits while figuring out ways to get what they want without getting into much trouble. Proponents of harsher methods of discipline may be patting themselves on the back right now while others shake their heads in disbelief.

Does a study like this have you reconsidering your approach to setting boundaries in your home?

Spanking is so passé... or at least that's what the experts will have you believe. Contrary to mom's lil saying, it turns out that a little paddling may hurt the kid more than it hurts the mom. A Duke study claims hitting a child will do more harm than good and applauds new philosophies of parenting where the focus is on positive reinforcement and offering options. While that all sounds warm and fuzzy, I was adamant that I would use spanking as a method of punishment in our home... before I became a mother.

The hand was no stranger to my bum though it was only used on rare occasions. When it came time for me to teach my daughter right from wrong, I popped her tush a couple of times and found it completely ineffective. She actually enjoyed the quick tap and giggled her way to more mischief. Eager to try a new plan, I gave her a time out in a not so fun part of the house — the dark guest room. In 60 seconds, I discovered that the new system was more compelling than making physical contact. At this point, I'll admit I am a reformed punisher but one should never say never. What works for my lass may not work for my son and I may be back to square one in the spanking debate.

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What child hasn't heard the story of their parents hiking five miles to school, uphill (in both directions) during a blizzard? Such tall tales may seem even more foreign to kids as fewer moms are allowing their lil ones to walk to school on their own. According to the National Household Travel Survey, child abductions, unsafe traffic conditions, and neighborhood conditions can be blamed for the decline in the number of walkers from 41 percent in 1969 to 13 percent in 2001.

Following the discovery of Jaycee Duggard, the New York Times looked into the dwindling number of school kids who walked to school and found there is a heated debate over the matter. While helicopter parents may escort their wee ones the one or two blocks to class, free-range parents feel the need to cut the cord. Mamas who allow their offspring to walk alone often face the wrath of neighbors and school administrators who scold them for their decisions and require them to sign permission slips that explain their decision to allow solo journeys.

How does your child get to school each day?

How dressed-up do you get for the school drop-off line? Mamas taking their kids to a London school are involved in a heated debate about their attire. At opposite ends of the issue are the "yummies" who arrive dressed to impress with coiffed hair and made-up faces and the "slummies," ladies who stick to more casual clothes and natural appearances. Moms at the London school have pointed to Claudia Schiffer, Elle Macpherson and Stella McCartney as examples of how a woman can dress-up without overdoing it and have even created a list of items that warrant a parent being put on the "slummy" list, including maternity clothes, leopard print, sweatsuits, mismatched socks and dirty clothes.

"Daddy! Stop hurting Mommy!" We've all heard the horror stories of baby walking in on mommy and daddy's intimate moments. At a recent playgroup, one youngster said to my daughter, "My mommy and daddy were playing doctor last night." When I looked up at the mother, she was beet red and she apologized for her child's honest confession. We laughed it off and moved on to more appropriate playground conversation. But it got me thinking, how do parents keep from getting busted between the sheets? Some lock the door during the bedtime romp while others just risk the interruption. What do you do to keep your sex life private?