Four Different Parenting Styles

From the expect point of view they have identify four different types of parenting styles. These styles are known as “authoritarian”, “authoritative”, “permissive” and “neglectful.” There are important differences between each of these styles, and there is one style considered ideal above all the others. We’ll review each one individually now so you will be able to understand which type of parenting styles is best for you and your child.

Authoritarian Style of Parenting

The authoritarian style of parenting is the ‘old, stereotypical style best described in phrases like “children should be seen and not heard” and “spare the rod, spoil the child.” Authoritarian parents expect a high degree of conformity and compliance from their children, and are more likely to use corporal punishment as discipline.
The problem with authoritarian parenting is that the ‘rules’ often change at the parent’s whim, so the child never truly know what is expected. One could describe the situation as ‘unfair’ and threatening. Many children raised by authoritarian parents live in a constant state of fear. They tend to display less self-confidence and are socially withdrawn.

Permissive Style of Parenting

Permissive parenting is typically characterized by a warm, loving relationship between parent and child, but is flawed by low expectations of behavior. In other words, the permissive parent is usually afraid to make demands on the child much less hold him to any standard.
Children raised by overly permissive parents tend to suffer from a lack of focus, immaturity and problems with emotional regulation.

Neglectful Style of Parenting

Neglectful parenting is best described as a step beyond “permissive” parenting. The neglectful parent may provide food and shelter, but is generally emotionally uninvolved in the child’s life. A good example of this would be parents who never ask their child questions about their day, their friends, homework, etc.. A neglected child may have serious issues going on outside the home, but the neglectful parent is never aware of them until something potentially tragic occurs.

Authoritative style of Parenting

This type of parent holds high expectations of the child’s behavior while allowing an open dialogue with the child about those expectations. Rules imposed on the child are fair and expressed clearly. The authoritative parent teaches the child about cause and effect, decision-making and self-sufficiency. Children raised in an authoritative environment have more self-confidence and initiative, are liked and respected by their peers and will be generally well-rounded adults. Out of the four different types of parenting styles, the authoritative style is considered ideal.

First-time parenthood can be scary. Every new parent, especially new mothers, wonder whether they are doing the best job possible at raising their child – and no wonder!  In between feeding, bathing, playing and doctor’s visits, you must also teach your child about the world around him.

First Step in Learning Good Parenting Skills

You must provide discipline along with plenty of love and support. There are many questions faced by parents every day. How can I build my child’s sense of self-esteem and self-sufficiency?  How do I ‘punish’ my child for bad behavior without causing real harm?

Therefore, the first step in learning good parenting skills is to learn what’s going to work for your child.  It is easy, for example, to adopt a rule about spanking. Most child-rearing advice today advises against any kind of corporal punishment.  So, what do you do instead? Likewise, what do you do when your child suffers from low self-esteem, and it seems that your efforts at praise are falling on deaf ears?

What’s best way to raise a child?

The steps you’ll take to be a good parent in any of these situations needs to be based on an overall plan or philosophy in regards to the best way to raise your child. Good parenting skills aren’t just lists of “do’s and don’ts”. Your skill at handling any situation will come from your self-confidence in your role as loving protector.
In other words, good parenting is really about patience and consistency (in your words and actions). One of the healthiest approaches you can take with your child is to teach him the laws of cause and effect.

If you believe in teaching your child about cause and effect, and the consequences of his or her actions, there will be no question about how best to provide discipline or positive feedback. Let’s look at an example. Imagine for a moment that your child is in an aggressive phase, and often hits or bites his playmates. If you believe in teaching cause and effect in a healthy way, then you do not hit or bite your child as punishment. Instead, you would take him aside and explain to him that his friend Is not going to want to play with him any more if that behavior continues. If he repeats the behavior, you would end the play session early as punishment, to show him that he won’t be allowed to play at all so long as he behaves aggressively.

Remain Consistent in Discipline

In order to remain consistent, you would also apply this technique to positive situations. For instance, when your child does something nice for someone else, you would then praise him and point out the cause and effect between the desired behavior and the positive outcome.

It’s never too early to start applying good parenting skills. Toddlers are at a prime age to being learning about cause and effect, but babies begin to notice relationships between actions and outcomes as early as four to six months. Be gentle, patient and consistent in your approach, and remember to tailor these lessons to your child’s unique personality.