10 Parenting Styles Explained

If you randomly picked 5 adults, there is one fact that you will quickly note in them; their character. Character is influenced by the type of environment that that particular person was brought up in.

When joining parenthood, we often fear that we might not be the best parents to our kids. We fear that our kid/kids might not grow to be independent or responsible adults. This fear comes from seeing how different adults carry themselves in relation to how their parents brought them up.

However, it would help if you understood that your chosen parenting style will determine your kids’ future. So, which are these parenting styles you can choose from?

10 PARENTING STYLES EXPLAINED.

1. POSITIVE PARENTING.

Based on the principle of positive psychology by Martin Seligman, an American psychologist, this parenting method is determined to bring up a child with a lot of positivity. As a parent, you tend to do whatever it takes to make the kid happy. Moreover, you set goals for the kid to achieve for the betterment of their future. These set goals act as the guide through which the child grows.

As a parent, you also help your child to overcome pain and trauma. You train them to take all past challenges positively and use the knowledge gained towards creating a better future for themselves. Generally, you have to be constantly in touch with your child.

2. PERMISSIVE PARENTING.

Permissive parenting is yet another parenting type that sees the child share a similar platform with the parent. In this parenting style, you tend to treat your kid as an equal. You give your child full control over their life. More often, you find yourself responding to all your kid’s needs. In short, you try avoiding any conflict with your child.

This type of parenting may sound exciting but not the best for your kids. You have to set boundaries with your kids. Allow room for conflict for them to distinguish between good and bad.

3. AUTHORITARIAN PARENTING.

In authoritarian parenting, you as the parent act as a dictator. In the home, only your opinion matters. In most families where this parenting method is used, disciplining the kid becomes a norm. Discipline may be disseminated physically. The parent sets ground rules which the kids have no option but to follow.

This parenting method is aimed at bringing up obedient children and well-behaved kids.

4. AUTHORITATIVE PARENTING

Many will confuse authoritative parenting with authoritarian parenting. However, authoritative parenting is much softer compared to authoritarian parenting.

In this parenting method, the kid tends to adhere to a set of rules set by the parent to be treated well. Relatively, if you break any of the rules, you are punished accordingly. The chances are that you were also brought up using this parenting style.

Authoritative parenting uses the give and take approach. This encourages the kid to be of good behavior to enjoy the best from you as a parent.

5. UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING.

Unconditional parenting is based on the insights from the book written by Alfie Kohn. This type of parenting sees you as a parent supporting your kid’s behavior unconditionally. You turn a blind eye to their mistakes just to make them feel unconditionally loved and wanted.

You let your kids find themselves with no manipulation on their character. In short, you want your children to grow naturally, without having to conform to any character that will make them more acceptable or appreciated.

6. NEGLECTFUL PARENTING.

As the name suggests, neglectful parenting is where you as a parent neglect your primary duties. You are not physically present for the kid. The kid has to do a lot for himself. Such a kid will show uncontrolled behavior since they do not have guidance from an adult on what is right or wrong.

This sort of parenting is mainly portrayed by adults who are undergoing a life crisis. According to research, single parents may unknowingly find themselves applying this parenting method.

7. HELICOPTER PARENTING.

Helicopter parenting is whereby a parent simply wants to take full control of their kid’s life. As a parent, you do not want to expose your child to the world, which you perceive to be very harmful to them. You, therefore, don’t train them to be independent. The kid grows knowing that you always have their back. They believe that you alone can protect them from the world.

Such a parent will be found to be in constant communication with the kid’s teachers or friends. It becomes even worst when the kid is now an adult, and you as a parent have to protect them from workplace crisis.

8. ATTACHMENT PARENTING.

Dr. Sears, a pediatrics professor, developed attachment parenting. This kind of parenting sees the parent create a strong bond with the kid from the early life stages. The mom breastfeeds the kid for a long time just to make the kid feel fulfilled and secure.

Any needs by your kid are met quickly, since you do not want to disappoint them. This mode of parenting creates an open relationship between the child and the parent. This means that the child can openly share any issues or concerns with the parents. Even as an adult, such a kid will often seek advice from the parents on various issues.

9. TOXIC PARENTING

Toxic parenting is a kind of parenting that you as a parent may adopt without even knowing. This means that you might be doing it for the child’s good but end up worsening it. Your relationship or actions around the child might therefore affect them physically, emotionally, or even sexually.

A good example is not controlling what your kid does on the internet. If the kids are exposed to pornographic content, it will definitely affect their character.

10. SPIRITUAL PARENTING.

Spiritual parenting is often exercised by parents who are strong believers. This parenting method is characterized by parents who are entirely devoted to their religion. Therefore, in spiritual/holistic parenting, a child is viewed as a gift from God. The parents see themselves as the custodians of a gift from God.

Due to this belief, the parent only creates the environment for the kid to know God and leave the rest to the Divine being. The kid is, therefore, free to develop their own beliefs.

CONCLUSION.

With the above well-researched parenting styles, you can now make a wise decision on what kind of parent you want to be. Remember, the parenting style you choose might be similar to what your parents used, so be keen to adjust your parenting style, to avoid passing some negative traits to your kid.