Discovering Dad - 10 Most Common Parenting Strategies of Dads

Over the past 13 years, I've discovered some common themes in my parenting strategies, many of which have been confirmed by fellow fathers.

Here's a list of the Top 10 Most Common Parenting Strategies of Dads:

1. The Art of Distraction - slight of hand, bait and switch, move to another room...you get the picture. Distraction is a staple for every Dad.

2. The Science of Confusion - give bizarre answers to stupid questions, or ask a question every time that you are asked. The quickest way out of the "why" game is to ask similar questions that confuse the child as much as they are confusing you.

3. The Blind Leading the Blind - I don't know how this is going to work, but we're going to try it anyway. Dads always have learn things from experience, and kids are easy accomplices.

4. Go Fast - Run, Run, Run - When all else fails, kids love to be chased around the house. The faster you run, the better. And, it helps them sleep longer if you can just run them to exhaustion.

5. Road Trip - The best way to kill time is to get out of the house. Time ticks by too slowly at home, and the drive also tends to put them to sleep.

6. The Look - Dads are masters of "the look." When properly administered, the look can stop a kid in his tracks, or bring her to tears for disappointing her.

7. Speak Loudly and Carry a Big Stick - Kids don't respond to soft requests. Dads are firm and quick to discipline, and kids know when they've acted out of line when Dad's voice booms.

8. No Negotiations - Dads do not run a democracy, and what they say goes. No talking back and no negotiations.

9. Pick Your Battles - Rarely does Dad allow things to get to a point of explosion. Dads think most things kids do to get into trouble are funny, but when they feel the need to test the boundaries, Dads are not afraid to pick their battles.

10. Go Ask Your Mother - All of the really stupid or majorly serious questions get deferred between parents. Whomever gets the question first, tells the kid to go ask the other parent.

These are some of the most popular parenting strategies of Dads. Other tactics, like tickling and wrestling, are also commonly practiced. Parenting is exciting, but it's also hard to know what to do in every situation. Dads learn most of their skills through trial and error, as well as improvisation.

Please comment with some of your most commonly used parenting tactics as a Dad, or ones that you've seen used by your father or other Dads.