How to Identify Your Parenting Style

Parenting styles are influenced by different factors, but all parenting styles aim to accomplish one goal: child rearing. They vary from one parent to another. Nevertheless, each parenting style has its own special features and characteristics that define the parenting skills used by that type. It is, therefore, easy to identify your specific parenting style.

What Type of Parent Are You?

According to a study by parenting experts, this is how you can identify your parenting style as an individual:

The Authoritarian Parenting Style

• Are you a strict parent who shows little or no warmth toward your child?
• Do you use punishment often as a means of shaping behavior?
• Do you make your child do what you want without reasoning with him or her?
• Do you often use the phrase “Because I said so” when dealing with your child?
• Do you give your child few options to choose from?

If all of these apply to you, then you are an authoritarian parent. Authoritarian parents are often strict and strive on negative reinforcement.

The Indulgent or Permissive Parenting Style

• Do you always strive to make your child happy regardless of the consequences?
• Do you compromise your parenting skills to accommodate your child’s wishes?
• Have you set minimal expectations for your child’s behavior?
• Do you often feel that when your child is not happy you have failed as a parent?
• Are you the type of parent who tries to avoid conflicts with your child?

If all of these apply to you, then you are an indulgent parent. Indulgent parents set no behavioral expectations and have no sense of discipline. Indulgent parenting thrives on always making the child happy, often at the expense of nurturing him or her. It sets no limits or goals for the child, and the child has unlimited access to everything he or she wants. So, children of indulgent parents tend to be spoiled.

The Neglectful Parenting Style

• Are you never available for your child either physically or emotionally?
• Do you feel that you have no idea what your child likes to do or what his or her hobbies are?
• Do you find yourself wondering who your child’s friends and teachers are?
• Do you find yourself constantly spending time away from your child?
• Do you often find yourself making excuses to not be with your child?

If all of these apply to you, then you are a neglectful parent. Neglectful parents have no interest in their child’s well-being. Neglectful parenting leaves the child lonely and vulnerable to stress and peer pressure.

The Authoritative Parenting Style

• Are you motivated by positive reinforcement and mutual agreement whenever dealing with your child?
• Do you find it easy to listen to your child in order to find out his or her needs and build on them?
• Do you have set consequences for your child’s behavior?
• Do you involve your child in discussions without making your child afraid to express his or her opinion?
• Do you help your child understand the reasons for his or her punishment, if any?

If all of these apply to you, then you are an authoritative parent. Authoritative parents raise their children with love but also set clear limits for their children. Authoritative parenting is by far the best style to help a child reach his or her full potential.

Research has shown that several factors influence the different types of parenting styles and that parenting styles are habits that can be successfully instilled in a person. Psychologists advise parents to adopt good parenting skills and preferable parenting styles to help their children realize their full potential both morally and intellectually.

References

• Mgbemere, Bianca, and Rachel Telles. “Types of Parenting Styles and How to Identify Yours.” Developmental Psychology at Vanderbilt. December 10, 2013. https://my.vanderbilt.edu
• Carter, Don, and David Welch. “Parenting Styles and Children’s Behavior.” Family Relations 30, no. 2 (1981): 191–195 Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable