There is so much need for consistency in parenting. However, that consistency needs to be for things that are working for you individual children. It may not be the same for each child. Try different techniques in working with your child. Give it a bit of time. For some techniques it took months for us, but we saw gradual changes. If it’s not working, switch the game plan. You can’t be be too rigid. Actually, a rigid flexibility works well. The rigidity comes in that there needs to be structure, consistency in responding and discipline. You need to be able to respond immediately to behavior that needs to be addressed. I have talked about wanting to achieve first time obedience. Now, how you get their depends on your child. Some children respond amazingly well to just a look. I haven’t been blessed with one of those children, but I know others that are. Some kids will respond to a reward system. I have a friend who has been battling a certain behavior for a while. Once she switched up her technique and offered a reward for 18 consistent days of stopping the behavior, she has had 10 days in a row of quitting what had become a habit in this child’s life. Sometimes you will need to have certain disciplines enforced. I have written about there not being a recipe in parenting. However, don’t keep beating your head trying the same tactics that just aren’t working. Switch things up. Try something else. It is not being inconsistent to address behaviors in a different way because you are still addressing the behaviors.
