Everyone follows different parenting styles. Before we even become parents, we’ve already decided how we want to raise our kids. What I didn’t know is that different styles actually have labels.
I recently read an article about the six styles of parenting and it really got me thinking about my own parenting and what is really best for our children.
"The 6 Styles of Parenting"
The article focused on the pros and cons of six parenting styles:
- Helicopter
- Free Range
- Authoritarian
- Permissive
- Authoritative
- Uninvolved
Helicopter Parenting
A common term used with parents who are overly involved in their children’s lives. Children raised with this style have higher chances of going to college however sometimes the parent can be too extreme and accidentally sabotage job positions or personal relationships, as shown in many Hollywood comedies.
Free Range Parenting
The complete opposite of Helicopter Parenting, where parents do not worry about managing their children and let them learn from their mistakes and be fully independent, even at a young age. Kids “engage in free play, explore their surroundings, and gain a sense of self-confidence and self-reliance.”
Authoritarian Parenting
Parents are very strict with the intolerance of misbehavior and show less affection.
Permissive Parenting
The opposite of Authoritarian, where parents “indulge their children’s whims and avoid all confrontation and punishment.”
Authoritative Parenting
This kind of parenting “enforces structure and discipline without neglecting healthy communication.”
Uninvolved "Parenting"
The style refers to parents who are physically in their children’s lives but not in an emotional capacity. Children raised this way tend to grow up without self-control or self-esteem.
My Blended Parenting Styles
Personally, I believe that our parenting styles adapt to different stages of our lives and could be dependant on where we live.
So when it comes to deciding what kind of parent I am, I don’t find myself constrained to one defined “style” of parenting because I’m primarily a mix of Helicopter, Free Range, and Authoritative.
The benefits from Free-Range parenting are super appealing to me. But the truth is, my kids are very young and I need to be around to help structure them and to keep them safe from outside elements.
And because of my momxiety, yes it’s a thing, I tend to Helicopter them to some degree. I do my best to avoid any major accidents or opportunities for kidnapping. People can be very judgemental about helicopter parents but in this case, I don’t care what people think or say of me.
I find myself being very Authoritative as opposed to Permissive with my kids because I want them to have structure and understand who is in charge. My being “tough” with them doesn’t sacrifice any amount of love I have for them and they understand that. We make time to cuddle and play around on a regular basis. I’ve taught my kids to have good habits, like sleeping, eating, and being polite, most of the time because I’ve pushed for it.
Adapting our Parenting Styles
I know what kind of parent I am now and how I want to be. But the moment I think I have it figured it out everything changes again.
I’m proud of how I am as a parent even though I feel I’m never doing enough. And I’m proud of how my kids are even though I feel they could be better sometimes too.
As they grow into the teen years and adulthood, my parenting styles will have to adapt. They will go through different milestones, good and bad, just like they are now as toddlers and I’ll have to figure out how to parent them in those stages.
My Helicopter Parenting will reduce to Free-Range as they gain independence. And if we hit a few bumps along the road I may have to up the Helicopter Parenting again. Like keeping track of their homework completion.
All kids are different. So I may even have to follow different styles with each of my children.
I just want them to have manners and to be independent and responsible without me having to monitor them but I’ll have to guide them that way. Either way, I’ll likely still be a blend of the parenting “styles” that I am now, but it will feel so different!
Do you follow any specific styles or blend of styles?
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My name is Paula and I’m a mom of two scrumptious cuties. Thanks Mommy Blog became a project for me to help guide other new moms and current moms through any of my own personal experiences and struggles. My hobbies include singing, doing jigsaw puzzles, baking, designing and trying to stay creative.
Well I’m a bit of helicopter and mix of free range. As I have toddlers in the house, I think these 2 methods works for me best. You can’t really use just one approach since kids have different personalities. It really depends on your child I guess and you are… Read more »
I think everything in life is a balance, including how we raise our children. I have read how our “unconscious” could play a very important part on our raising methods. The way our parents did itm what we liked from it and what we didn’t will help us to define… Read more »
I think (hope) I’m a healthy mix of authoritarian and free range… if that’s possible. I require structure and routine for specific things like morning routine (I’m a working mom) scheduled mealtimes and nap times and of course.. Bedtime is the most structured routine of the day (because if he… Read more »
I’m somewhere between an authoritative parent and a helicopter parent; I wish I could be free range, but it’s not realistic with my level of anxiety
My husband and I we are strict in a way but also let the kids have fun. Decipline then and taught both of our kids how to respectful and behave. Thank you for sharing this post.