Discover Your Parenting Style
Tips to Find the Right Style for Your Family
This week, we're diving into the fascinating world of parenting styles. Understanding your parenting style can help you create a nurturing and effective environment for your child's growth. Let's explore the four primary types of parenting: Permissive, Authoritative (or Gentle), Authoritarian, and Uninvolved.
Evaluating Parenting Styles
When evaluating parenting styles, we consider two key dimensions:
Responsiveness: How actively you are parenting your child. This includes setting expectations, providing instructions, and responding to your child's behavior, questions, or feelings.
Demand: The degree or amount of expectations you have for your child's behavior
Authoritative or Gentle Parenting
Responsiveness: High
Demand: High
Key Characteristics:
Parents solve problems collaboratively with the child
Clear rules are set and consistently enforced with open communication
Natural & logical consequences are used to make moments teachable rather than instilling fear
Significant consideration for the child's emotional & behavioral needs
The terms “Gentle” and “Authoritative” might sound contradictory, but in parenting, they go hand in hand. As one of our Experts likes to say, “firm limits, delivered kindly.” This approach helps children understand why rules are important, making them easier to follow.
At Village, we believe this is the most effective approach. This style provides the right balance of structure and support, helping children feel secure while understanding the reasons behind rules and expectations.
Permissive Parenting
Responsiveness: High
Demand: Low
Key Characteristics:
Child-driven household; parents indulge the child to avoid conflict
Rules & guidance are rarely given or enforced
Little to no consequences for behavior
Significant consideration for the child's emotional & behavioral needs
Authoritarian Parenting
Responsiveness: Low
Demand: High
Key Characteristics:
Parent-driven household with strict rules enforced through punishment
Consequences are more about instilling fear rather than teaching
Little consideration for the child's emotional or behavioral needs
Uninvolved Parenting
Responsiveness: Low
Demand: Low
Key Characteristics:
Parents are often absent or disengaged
Rules & guidance are rarely given or enforced
Little to no consequences for behavior
Indifference to the child's emotional and behavioral needs
Gentle vs. Permissive
Many parents today, especially those raised in Authoritarian households, strive for a more emotionally healthy approach and might accidentally slip into Permissive parenting, fearing that setting rules will be harmful. However, Permissive parenting attempts to respond to emotional needs, but does not provide structure; Authoritative parenting balances both.
Children crave boundaries and structure as it helps them process the world, know how to behave, and understand what to expect. When there are no rules or expectations, children can become confused and misbehave, often out of frustration from not knowing how to behave.
Striking the Right Balance
Balancing these dimensions can be challenging, but effective communication is key. Always talk to your child, ensure they understand your expectations, and make sure you understand their needs. You are responsible for guiding your child, but involving them in the process helps keep everyone happy.
Let’s Talk!
For more personalized advice on finding the right balance in your parenting style, reach out to our Experts through the Village app. Our resources and one-on-one guidance are designed to support you every step of the way.
