The parenting advice that didn't work

When people ask me about my blog, I tell them it is a collection of parenting research and tips. If they dig in further, I usually point out that not all tips are created equal - some may work for your family, but won't work for mine.

I am amazed when that statement shocks people. The more we learn about human nature, the more we see that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work. When is the last time you discovered that you needed the exact amount of sleep as someone else? Or that you lost weight in the exact same way? Or that your holiday traditions are a mirror image of another family's?

Parenting is that way, too. Sometimes the research makes sense for your family; sometimes it doesn't.

What most people don't realize is that when parenting research is done, it is really difficult to include accurate representations of every socioeconomic background. The result is that most studies include participants from white, middle-class families - most of whom live in the U.S.

What happens if you don't fit that mold? Well, we are all parents...we are used to trying things out and seeing what sticks.

What great piece of parenting advice could you never get to work for your family? Tell me in the comments.