Inside: 5 Types of Parenting Styles. Collaborative post.

There is no manual for parenting. This is something you should know before getting into ‘the business’. You can not find one right way to parent your child. However, it is vital to have a parenting style because it can change everything – varying from how much your child weighs to the way the child feels about themselves. The parenting method depends on factors like how you were brought up, how you perceive other people’s parenting and, to some degree, even your background. 

We can not stress this enough, there is no correct or incorrect way to parent. Everyone’s style is unique and most likely drawn from several different types. So, in the beginning, all you need to do is keep your baby safe and healthy, then you can figure out your parenting style. 

Types of Parenting 

You will face some tough days when you will question every little thing you know and when that happens, you need to remind yourself that parenting is a hard job to do. 

The widely recognised parenting styles are as follows:

• Authoritative
• Authoritarian
• Attachment 
• Permissive 
• Uninvolved or Neglectful

If you just had a child, or there is one on the way, and you want to learn everything about parenting styles to figure out the perfect one for you – or if you have an older kid and are unsure of your parenting style – keep reading to find out more about these parenting styles.

1. Authoritative Parenting

According to child specialists and therapists, this is one of the most appropriate and effective parenting methods. You are an authoritative parent if you do the following:  

• Establish direct and logical rules and boundaries.
• Make it clear that you have moderate expectations for your children.
• Hear out their feelings and take input in the form of constructive criticism from your children.
• Give positive results after feedback 

PROS 

• Parent and child do not struggle with mental health issues compared to other parenting styles. 
• Produces the healthiest outcome of all. 
• Allows children to learn what a healthy relationship requires.
• You create a nourishing and loving environment. 
• Children will have higher self-esteem. 
• Lack of violent tendencies or abusive tendencies.
• Unlikely to form unhealthy sexual habits.

 CONS

• The process requires a lot of patience, effort and communication 
• There can not be a compromise in some situations that can upset the parent and the child. 

2. Authoritarian Parenting

What’s right is not always popular and what is popular is not always suitable can be applied here. When you are an authoritarian parent, you do the following:

• Set stringent rules and expect complete obedience.
• Punish when rules are broken. 
• Set high expectations and expect your children to meet them every time.
• Discourage open communications and disallow them to express their feelings.

PROS

• Child sets high expectations for themself and learns to meet them 

CONS

• Lack of love and respect towards parents (resentment).
• The child is more likely to take part in delinquent behaviours.
• High risk of mental health problems.
• The child is unlikely to excel in school. 
• Less than an ideal parent-child relationship. 

3.  Attachment Parenting

Have you ever seen ‘The Act’ or ‘Mommy Dearest’? Well, attachment parenting is the complete opposite. This is a child-centric form of parenting. You create a safe, engaging environment for your child. Here is what you do:

• A lot of constant physical contact  (you hold, carry and sometimes sleep with your child)
• Continuous reassurance and support to make your child feel loved and safe 

PROS

• Child becomes independent. 
• They know they can turn towards their parent for anything. 
• Empathy.
• Ability to healthily control emotions.

CONS

• All-consuming: you don’t get enough time for yourself or anything concerning you.
• Lack of privacy.

4. Permissive Parenting

Permissive parenting deviates from traditional parenting techniques. This is when the children call the shots and not the adults in question. Here is what permissive parents do: 

• Do not set stern limits or boundaries.
• Do not control the children.
• Allowing your children to make the necessary decisions by themselves.

PROS

• Children become mature earlier.
• Independent.

CONS

• More stress and less mentally healthy.
• Weight problems as well as cavities.
• Preyed upon by bullies.

5. Uninvolved or Neglectful Parenting

Many believe that they could never be neglectful parents however, what has been labelled as uninvolved parenting is a style that is usually outside the parent’s control. For instance, if you are a single parent who is working two jobs to make ends meet. Necessity may deliver a brutal fact  – you are ultimately neglecting your child. 

Such parents are unaware of the ongoing events in their children’s lives. They likely have no idea what their child’s favourite colour, food, or even best friend is. 

• Apathetic tone towards the child. 
• Neglect child’s physical and emotional needs beyond the bare necessities.
• Dismissive of child’s feelings.
• Emotionally or physically absent from child’s life.
• Physically or emotionally abusive.

PROS

• There are no pros to such a parenting style. 

CONS 

• Have trouble expressing or controlling their emotions. 
• Likely to be depressed and suicidal.
• Academically challenged.
• Difficulty forming connections and bonds with others.
• Anti-social and anxious.
• Abandonment issues.

Bottom Line 

Some parents do not fit in a single category, and that is normal. So do not worry if you are authoritative in some areas and permissive in others. This has the healthiest outcomes since you are nurturing but not smothering them. Remember, your priority should always be their safety and health. At the end of the day, you are trying your hardest for your little one, and that is all that matters.