What is your parenting style?

Parenting seems to often fit into one of four categories:
Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive and Uninvolved.

Each of these styles has its pitfalls, and each can be moderated to help your child to have the healthiest home life possible.

Authoritarian, or extremely strict parents are highly controlling. They dictate how their children should behave. They stress obedience to authority and discourage discussion. They are demanding and directive. They expect their orders to be obeyed and do not encourage give-and-take. They have low levels of sensitivity and do not expect their children to disagree with their decisions.

Authoritative, or moderate parents set limits and rely on natural consequences for children to learn from making their own mistakes. Authoritative parents explain why rules are important and why they must be followed. They reason with their children and consider the children's point of view even though they might not agree.

Authoritative parents are firm, with kindness, warmth and love. They set high standards and encourage children to be independent.

Permissive, or indulgent parents are accepting and warm but exert little control. They do not set limits, and allow children to set their own rules and schedules and activities. They do not demand the high levels of behavior as authoritarian or authoritative parents.

Uninvolved parents demand little and respond minimally. In extreme cases, this parenting style might entail neglect and rejection.

What is your Child’s Temperament?

• Easy children are calm, happy, adaptable, regular in sleeping and eating habits, positive in mood and interested in new experiences.

• Difficult children are often fussy, irregular in feeding and sleeping habits, low in adaptability, fearful of new people and situations, easily upset, high strung, and intense in their reactions.

• Slow-to-warm-up children are relatively inactive, reflective, tend to withdraw or to react negatively to novelty, but their reactions gradually become more positive with experience.

It's the mix or the "goodness of fit" between parent and child that matters most. The match or mismatch between a child and parent determines the harmony between them.

Parent-Child Communication

Communication. It’s big for all of us, and perhaps most challenging when it comes to our children. Developing good communication where both parent and child are listening and talking is one of the most important pursuits of parenthood, but certainly not an easy one. It requires ongoing attention and time.

But you can do it! Even in small ways, taking time to talk with and listen to your child every day will help create a stronger bond between you and your child—and make the job of parenting a bit easier.

We believe all parents need and deserve the support, skills and information needed to be the best parent they can be. Relax, breathe, take things one step at a time and call us when you need some assistance.

We’re looking forward to discussing your family issues to help you find good solutions. If you’d like to know more about our services, we’d be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to call us at (408) 266-5800.