What is parenting?
Parenting is simply the process of bringing up kids with protection and care to ensure growth and development. The debate on what is the best method of parenting is one that every parent battles in their daily life. As a parent, you are determined to give your child the best you can offer, but there is always that doubt of whether you are right or not.
In this article, we are going to help you understand the four main methods of parenting, effect on kids and why your role as a parent is crucial to your child.
4 Types of Parenting and How they Affect Children
Your parenting style affects your child in all aspects, beginning from how she weighs to how she feels about herself. It is, therefore, crucial to see that your parenting style positively affects your child.
Mother-daughter time
Researchers have observed that there are four main parenting methods, namely;
- Authoritarian
- Authoritative
- Permissive
- Uninvolved
Each of the four methods has a different approach and can be identified by its varying characteristics.
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Authoritarian Parenting
Do you fit in any of the following statements?
- You believe children should not be heard
- You do not consider how your toddler feel
- When it comes to decisions, you believe it has to be your way
The authoritarian believes that children have to follow their instructions to the latter without explanation.
Authoritarian parents are famous for comments like “because I said so” whenever kids question them on any of their decisions. They do not give room for negotiation as their focus in on obedience.
Children are also not given a chance to solve problems or any obstacles; they are given guidelines, failure to which they face punishment.
Authoritarian parents may use punishment instead of discipline. This means that instead of having a sit-down with a kid and teaching them how to make intelligent decisions, they invest in making kids feel sorry for themselves when they make mistakes. During kindergarten enrollement, the authoritarian parent does not consider the schools that nurture the interests today.
Sadly, children who are brought up with this method may develop self-esteem issues as they grow up believing their opinion is not valued.
The children may become aggressive and spend most of their time focusing on the anger they feel towards their parents instead of their growth.
This method could result in your child becoming a liar as they try to evade punishment.
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Authoritative Parenting
Some of the traits of an authoritative parent are;
- They spend a lot of time creating a good relationship with their kids and maintaining it
- They explain their reasons for enforcing certain rules
- They implement rules and the consequences of breaking them while at the same time considering their kid’s feelings.
Authoritative parents make it very clear that adults are in charge; however, they also validate their kid’s feelings.
Authoritative parents spend time in preventing the development of certain characters instead of solving them when they are already happening. They also set positive measures to encourage good behavior such as; rewards system and praise.
Authoritative parents understand the importance of preschool enrollement to reputable schools that nurture a kid’s growth.
Children of authoritative parents grow up to be happy and successful; they are also likely to make great decisions on their own.
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Permissive Parenting
Here are hints that you may be a permissive parent;
- You rarely punish kids for breaking rules
- You set rules but never enforce them
- You feel your child will learn best without your interference
Permissive parents are very lenient and only step in when there is serious trouble.
These parents have the “kids will be kids,” attitude and they tend to be very forgiving. Sometimes they may take privileges away from their kids but eventually, give them back if they promise to behave.
These parents are more of friends to their children than parents. Although they may have a close relationship with their children as they encourage them to talk to them when they are facing challenges – They do not correct their wrong behavior.
Mother dealing with a toddler’s tantrums
Not all parenting time is fun time; be prepared for your toddlers tantrums, there are timeless!
Kids brought up using this style are likely to struggle with their academics. They may have behavioral problems as they do not appreciate rules or authority. They end up sad with very low self-esteem.
They are also likely to have health problems such as obesity because their parents are not strict with their consumption of junk food. They may also have dental issues as their parents are not strict with issues like brushing their teeth. It may also cause anxiety and depression among kids.
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Uninvolved Parenting
Do any of these statements reflect your character?
- You never ask whether your child has homework or not
- You never spare time to spend with your child
- You never know who your child is with or their whereabouts
Uninvolved parents don’t know what is going on in the lives of their children at any particular time – they expect them to raise themselves.
They don’t offer guidance or spend any energy taking care of the emotional or physical needs of their children. As a result, the children may face behavior changes, sadness, poor class performance, and low self-esteem. This is because they lack the access to kindergarten programmes that are up to standards.
Uninvolved parents do not it on purpose; some of them may be having mental issues, or struggling with drug abuse. Others may be overwhelmed by issues such as managing households, paying bills, and work. These children behavior may affect them for a substantial part of their life.
Important
The authoritative parenting is the most voted parenting style. So you identify with being a permissive or uninvolved parent at some point? Is there any reason for worrying? No. Raising kids is a dilemma for all parents – you are not alone in this.
Through practice, commitment, and dedication, you can become an authoritative parent, and your child can eventually reap the benefits.
Conclusion
Parenting is both fun and challenging. It can be exhausting at times, especially when you are a mum for the first time or when your kids don’t seem to be moving to the direction you intended them to follow.
However, by understanding what kind of parent you are, and why you parent the way you do; you can finally catch up. Some of these practices may take a while as human beings stick to what they are accustomed to doing. However, with persistence, you eventually get there.
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