What Are Parenting Styles?

Definition:

Parenting styles = how parents (1) respond and (2) demand to their children. (Wikipedia)

Parenting Types Include:

Parenting Style Winner?

Based on science - it's authoritative/supportive parenting.

Why is Authoritative/Supportive Parenting The Winner?

Children whose parents use authoritative/supportive parenting styles enjoy the following characteristics later in life:

• high salaries
• academic success
• less stress
• have high social skills
• high levels of happiness

 Key Authoritative/Supportive Parenting Characteristics:

1. High Interest shown in your child
2. High Trust in your child
3. Clear Consistent Limits/Rules, allow freedom to explore/create within these boundaries
4. High Independence given to your child
5. Lots of time spent with your child 
6. Consistent/measured punishments (NEVER violent) OR allow the consequences to happen/discuss them with your child

• Quality vs. Quantity of time spent.  Being present and supportive/authoritarian in your time spent together is more valuable than more time but not being present/supportive/interested.

Parenting Types That Do NOT Product The Happiest Children? 

Strict/Authoritarian:

Low levels of independence, medium-to-high levels of trust, strict or fairly strict, medium-to-high levels of interest shown in child, many rules

Indulgent:

High or average levels of trust, not strict at all, time spent together is average or longer than average

Easygoing:

Low levels of interest shown in child, not strict at all, small amount of time spent together, few rules

Harsh:

Low levels of interest shown in child, low levels of independence, low levels of trust, strict

 Sources: Kobe University's Study and Wikipedia