What kind of parent are you? What kind of parents did you have? We’ll all have had different experiences and we’ll all have opinions on those. There are all sorts of schools of parenting and people will tell you one way or the other is better. The truth is that most have their pros and cons but the desired result is generally the same. People want to be friends with their kids when they grow up, they don’t want estrangement or indifference but rather healthy relationships which can be sustained for the rest of their lives. How do you get there though and what’s the right method for you?
Dictatorship. Oh, we’ve all seen this kind of parent and those of the generations before mine may have experienced them first hand. The Parents word is law and any argument or infraction on this can lead to severe punishments. This is great for instilling discipline in kids but when they grow into teenagers all you’re really doing is giving them something to rebel against and something which, in the years to come, they’ll probably resent you for. Discipline is important but there are limits to everything.
Authoritative. Kids will have strict rules and boundaries and be expected to follow them but parents will explain and persuade instead of demanding and shouting. Punishments too will be explained and highlighted beforehand, this way kids know beforehand what acting out will get them. The hope with this method is that kids will grow up to be responsible for their own actions and willing to cooperate when approached reasonably.
Permissive. These parents spoil their kids rotten and expect very little back. They want to be friends with their kids but in doing so they let them walk all over them and allow some really terrible habits to form. In some cases these children grow up fine but generally they can have issues interacting with their peers as they expect to get everything their own way all the time.
Indifference. Possibly the very worst way to be towards your children. Kids grow up fully away that their parents aren’t engaged in their lives and that it doesn’t matter whether they’re bringing home straight A’s or setting fire, their parents aren’t going to react.
