What is Your Default Parenting Style?
As parents and educators, we often have a caregiving style which we default into, especially at times when we are triggered by our child’s behaviour or are navigating particular life stressors. And our default it is often a style that we learned from our own parents or caregivers that has been engrained in us from an early age. While it is absolutely possible to change your style of parenting, it can be helpful starting point to understand the different parenting styles and identify which one may be your go-to.
1. Conscious Parenting: Conscious parents starts with the parent’s willingness to dive inward and become aware of the parenting choices they make and the impact these have on their child’s experience. Conscious parenting is not about being a perfect parent, but strives towards intentional and considered caregiving practices. It holds a view of the child as a free and equal human being and sees the role of the adult as one of a gaurdian until such time as the child is ready to become independent and fly. A conscious parent finds balance between clarity and groundedness and warmth and support. They set clear boundaries and expectations but are also responsive to their children’s emotional and developmental needs. This approach supports a child to be secure while empowering them to feel heard, valued and autonomous. Conscious parenting is considered highly effective and is my focus in parenting classes and courses.
2. Authoritarian Parenting: In contrast to the authoritative style, authoritarian parenting is a more traditional style of parenting which is strict and less responsive to a child’s emotional needs. Within this, parents impose rules and expect obedience without dialogue or the opportunity for the child to have a voice or express themselves as a free and equal sovereign being.
3. Permissive Parenting: Permissive parenting has few demands or controls placed on the child. These parents are highly responsive to their child’s needs and desires, giving them a lot of autonomy without any consistent rules or boundaries to guide behaviour.
4. Uninvolved Parenting Uninvolved parenting is characterized by a lack of responsiveness to a child’s needs and minimal communication. This style may arise from a lack of knowledge or confidence.
Understanding your default parenting style is the first step towards deepening into a conscious parent and fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for your child. If you need more personalised guidance, or are interested in learning more about specific parenting styles and how to become the parent you want to be, don’t hesitate to reach out for expert help and advice. Remember, it’s not about being the perfect parent, it’s about the journey of growth and evolution towards conscious parenting. And it’s a journey you don’t have to walk alone.
