It is worth noting that most partners have experienced different ways of being parented and raised throughout their own childhoods. We often assume that the way we were parented was the only or correct way, or we find ourselves repeating strategies that our parents used. Some of these may not necessarily be appropriate or consistent with those of our partner. Therefore, spending some time proactively discussing issues such as parenting styles and discipline techniques is a very important element of parenting. Attending parent workshops, reading books together, talking with other parents, asking teachers for ideas, are all ways in which a family can develop a proactive range of strategies that hopefully are as consistent as possible. It is very confusing for a child if two parents differ significantly or if one parent seems less consistent than the other. Consistent styles of interactions and expectations are most helpful for the child. Sometimes parents may have to compromise along the way in order to provide as much of this consistency as possible.