Parenting is known to stimulate and provide the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood. Some children get all the above-mentioned support, others don’t, and it depends on the way they’re raised. Your parenting style may affect kids either positively or negatively. A few steps can assist you in knowing the parenting style you use and how to adjust accordingly. Authoritarian or disciplinarian parenting Authoritarian parenting is a parenting style considered by high demands and low receptiveness. Parents in the authoritarian style expect a lot from their children yet don’t even provide feedback. In case the kids are at fault, they’re punished or addressed harshly. Parents are more commanding and controlling, instead of guiding children to have self-control, or encouraging them to manage their behaviour. It is always done, “the parent’s way” with no chance for the little ones to make choices. With this parenting style, children are likely to lose their self-esteem because when they make a mistake, instead of being corrected considerately, they are yelled at. Uninvolved or neglectful parenting Here, parents are uninvolved in their child’s life. They don’t meet their children’s needs, basic or emotional. They have no time to even discipline, nurture and guide their children, if they do, it is very rare. Such parents are like visitors in the children’s lives. They don’t show concern for their child’s schoolwork, activities, or performance. Children are left to do what they want since there is no interaction or communication. Even when they do well, they are not praised. Children need more than financial support, they want to feel loved, cherished, and cared for. Research shows that neglected children are 2.6 times more likely to become neglectful to their own children, and twice as likely to be physically abusive. Permissive or indulgent parenting Such parents are more loving and caring, yet have limited rules. They initiate a friendship with their children. They don’t control kids, they let them be kids. However, children raised by permissive parents tend to struggle with self-regulation and self-control. In this parenting style, children are given permission to express their opinions, they have freedom, and parents may just deprive children of their toys or favourite snacks as a way of punishment. However, since children are left to make decisions, they may make poor ones. Because of enough freedom, children raised this way may not have limits, if it’s watching TV, eating, or playing, they will do it in excess. Influential parenting These parents set stable limits for their children, yet they remain nurturing, friendly, and helpful. They try to regulate children’s behaviour by informing them of the rules, discussing with them, and reasoning together. They listen to a child’s perspective even when they do not agree with it. Studies have shown that this type of positive discipline produces resilient, confident, respectful, and happy children. Children who are raised this way understand that they are ultimately accountable for the choices they make, which permits them to make good decisions. These children have the kind of confidence and knowledge needed for leadership roles.
