Parenting Styles and Their Impact on Children

The way a parent behaves towards a child has a significant impact on that child’s well-being, not only during childhood but also in the future. Still, it’s hard to know exactly how to parent. Children don’t come with instructions, and parents have to “learn on the job”, sometimes while overcoming the way they were parented when they were small. How do you know the best way to parent? It helps to know about different parenting styles, to determine where you fall and where you want to land.

Child Development and Parenting: The 4 Types of Parenting Styles

There are essentially four parenting styles, and they impact children in different ways.

• Authoritarian parents are strict and stern. These parents are rigid disciplinarians, and they use discipline to control their children, without thinking about the feelings or deeper needs of the child. The communication between the parent and the child is primarily one-way, with the parent issuing orders without feeling the need to explain why. The authoritarian parent’s concern is obedience, with little thought for the child’s feelings or social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Typically, an authoritarian parent is not interested in any input or feedback from the child. Discipline in an authoritarian household is largely punishment. “Because I said so” is a common response to push back from the child, and negotiation is not allowed.
• Permissive parents are more like friends. They are highly responsive to their children, but don’t require much of them. Conflict-avoidant, they give in when their children are distressed, and this means the children essentially do whatever they want to do. Communication is open in a family with permissive parents, but there aren’t many rules or expectations, and while the parents are warm and nurturing, they don’t set limits that children need. For example, if the child of a permissive parent gets upset in a store over wanting a toy, the parent is likely to buy the toy to quiet the child. The problem with this is that it doesn’t help a child learn how to manage his or her emotions or understand limits. While the parent is prioritizing the child’s happiness, important lessons are not being taught.
• Uninvolved parents, also called neglectful, seem indifferent to the needs of their children. These parents don’t demand much from their children, but they don’t offer much, either. Indifference is the overarching theme of uninvolved parenting, and this leaves the children taking care of themselves. There are not many rules, but there’s not much guidance, either. Uninvolved parents may seem cold and uncaring, but in reality they are usually struggling with their own issues and don’t know how to manage. Communication is limited, and the parent-child relationship is lacking in responsiveness and warmth.
• Authoritative parents strive to act as guides for their children. Authoritative may sound similar to authoritarian, but the parenting styles are worlds apart. While authoritative parents do set clear rules and expectations, they do so with their children’s emotional and developmental needs in mind. Discipline is positive, and natural consequences are allowed to occur so that the children can have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Nurturing and supportive, authoritative parents help their children work through difficulties, so that they develop coping skills while learning how to think for themselves. This parenting style is considered preferable to the other styles, because it results in children who have higher self-esteem and emotional regulation, as well as better school performance.

Impact of Parenting Styles: How Parenting Styles Affect Behaviors and a Child’s Long-Term Development

Something helpful to remember is that, as parents, we’re not really raising children we’re raising adults. Along every step of their development, it’s important to work towards helping them be responsible people who can walk through the world confidently. The parent-child relationship has a significant impact on a child’s brain, affecting their confidence, self-esteem, and the way they interact with the world. As parents, we’re in charge of making sure the relationships we have with our children are successful and help them grow into the people they’re meant to be. Research indicates that children of authoritative parents are likely to be independent and socially confident. They’re also likely to have good relationships with their parents, based on mutual respect and support. By contrast, the strict nature of authoritarianism breeds resentment, while also making it hard for children to learn to confidently make their own decisions, and permissive parents don’t give children the security that comes from knowing where the boundaries lie.

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Techniques to Try: Positive Parenting Approaches for Kids and Families

It’s important to acknowledge that parenting isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” endeavor. Successful parents know how to be flexible, depending on the situation. In some cases, as when a child is sick, being permissive may be the right option. When safety is on the line, even the most lackadaisical parents might become strict, to protect their children. So, how do you know how to parent your children successfully? Try these tactics:

• Provide warmth and support, giving your children the assurance that they are safe and loved.
• Use positive reinforcement rather than punishment.
• Keep the lines of communication open.
• Set clear boundaries, providing your child with the security that comes with knowing the rules.
• Adjust your parenting to fit your child’s personality and your own strengths.

How Just Children Supports Families in Their Parenting Style Journey

Parenting is more of a journey than a destination, and most parents find that their parenting style evolves as they learn and grow. Having a strong support system in place is invaluable, and that’s what we provide for the families in our community. We work to support the children in our care, and to build strong relationships with not only the children but also their families.

Building Stronger Futures Through Informed Parenting

The more you know about parenting, the more you can adjust your parenting style to benefit your child. Take the time to research different parenting approaches, taking pieces of different techniques and incorporating them into your parenting. When you get it wrong, as all parents do, don’t get upset. Remember that mistakes are part of life, and learning from them makes you a better parent. Handling life that way will also set a good example for your children.

Trust Just Children to Partner with Your Family and Support Healthy Child Development

When you are looking for a support system, with people who will care for your children and help guide their healthy development, trust Just Children to care for your little ones. Founded in 1983, our family-owned, fully-licensed centers provide a unique learning environment where we help children build the skills they need to succeed in life. Our year-round programs in Bucks County, Philadelphia, and New Jersey are convenient for working parents, and we design every program with age-appropriate activities that allow kids to learn, grow, and explore. We’re dedicated to creating a worry-free experience for parents while enriching the lives of children and providing a safe, nurturing environment with the highest standards of care, creativity, and learning. Visit our website to find a location convenient to you, or contact us to ask questions or schedule a tour.