Why Your Parenting Style Matters
Everyone has their own parenting style when it comes down to their children. Whether you are easy going, believe in free ranging children, or have strict rules, how we parent is part of who we are. Chances are that your parenting style falls under one of four different types, and what type you are will shape what sort of adult your child will be.
The authoritarian
Children will do as they are told. No questions. No hesitation. Authoritarians tend to have high expectations of their children. They want their kids to be the best they can be, and are driven to help their kids succeed in any way possible.
When children make a mistake, this usually leads to harsh punishments. There is very little room for misbehavior, and any deviation is quickly corrected.
This typically leads to children who are very obedient, but not very confident. They tend to have self esteem issues, and may struggle in decision making later in life since they've never been allowed to practice in childhood.
Authoritative Parenting
No, this isn't the same thing as the last parenting style. Authoritative parenting has clear boundaries and rules, with clear consequences to breaking those rules. Authoritative parents differ from authoritarians however, in that they explain the reason behind rules and take their children's feelings into consideration.
Rather than waiting for a behavioral problem to develop and then cracking down on it, authoritative parents work hard to eliminate problems before they begin.
Authorative parenting typically results in balanced, independent children who can make decisions on their own.
Permissive parenting
Kids will be kids. Sure, you have rules like don't leave the neighborhood, but when those rules are broken (and they often are) nothing really happens. Permissive parenting, sometimes referred to as “free range parenting” is a parenting style that involves very little input.
You might ask your child about their day, and listen to problems that they had in school, but very little is done to help kids navigate life. This creates a child that is very independent—but not always likeable.
Kids who grow up with this style of parenting often struggle to do well in school. They have no motivation to achieve higher grades, so they simply do what they want to do. They also tend to struggle with health and dental issues later in life because they were not restricted from junk, taught healthy eating habits, or had toothbrushing enforced.
Uninvolved parenting
Perhaps you're too busy at work, or struggle with your own problems. Regardless of what the reason may be, you are not a part of parenting. You don't ask your kids how school went. You don't spend time with your kids. You may not even know what your kid is doing on any given day.
Kids with uninvolved parents tend to struggle emotionally, physically, and academically. With no rules, guidelines, or parents doing anything more than providing food and shelter, life can be tough for these kids.
These four major types of parenting shape kids for the rest of their lives. If you recognize yourself in these parenting types, you may want to make decisions to add other aspects of parenting into your parenting style. There's no need to be too restrictive—or too loose with your parenting style. Kids need balance, and providing that makes for a happy and healthy childhood.
Read more by clicking on the link below: