Newsletter: The Great Parenting Style Showdown

Welcome to the Tuesday Toots! 

There’s one job in the world that has no rulebook. I mean there’s some kind of rulebook but it keeps changing the rules like a boggart (you’ll know what I mean if you’re a Potter-head!). And it’s called PARENTING!!

According to Diana Baumrind, a developmental psychologist, there are four types of parenting styles – permissive, authoritative, authoritarian and neglectful (or uninvolved parenting). 

1. Permissive Parenting: These parents are like friendly neighbours. They’re super lenient, often allowing their kids to make their own decisions. While it can encourage independence, sometimes it leads to a lack of boundaries.

2. Authoritative Parenting: These parents set clear rules and expectations while valuing their child’s opinions. They’re like guidebooks, offering guidance and flexibility, promoting independence while keeping a loving and communicative environment.

3. Authoritarian Parenting: Think rulebook. These parents value discipline and structure, with less emphasis on flexibility. Expectations are high, and obedience is crucial. While their kids might be well-behaved, it’s a bit more of a strict regime.

4. Uninvolved Parenting: Imagine a solo player. Uninvolved parents provide basic needs but might not be emotionally present. It’s like a hands-off approach where children may feel neglected and lack guidance.

Each parenting style has its quirks. To be an effective parent, you’ve to find your parenting groove and make your own unique masterpiece! 

“There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one. “

Sue Atkins

But you know better! It’s not possible to stick to just one method or way. Each child is different and so the parent has to change tacks every now and then.

I’ve formed my own unique classification of types of parenting roles. Figure out how many avatars have you changed!

1. The Cool Breeze Parent: They’re all about laid-back vibes, letting their “mini-me”s explore and learn on their own. Relaxed and not too worried as the child tackles life. Yeah, that’s the cool breeze parent.

2. The Captain Organized: Ahoy, matey! This parent’s ship runs on schedules and routines. From mealtime to playtime, everything’s charted out. But hey, their kids know exactly what’s coming next.

3. The BFF Parent: These parents are like the ultimate friends. They’re up for movie nights, junk food feasts, and gossip sessions – even with their 5-year-old. It’s all about being the go-to friend and guiding their kids through life.

4. The Professor Parent: These parents love turning every moment into a learning opportunity. From math during grocery shopping to history lessons at bedtime, they’ve got it covered.

5. The Zen Master Parent: These folks are the gurus of chill. No tantrum can ruffle their feathers. They’ve got a zen-like aura that can calm even the wildest toddler storm.

6. The DIY Parent: They’re all about hands-on creativity, turning everything into a crafting adventure. Messy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely!

7. The Time-Traveler Parent: Ever met someone who swears it’s still the ’90s? Yep, that’s this parent. They’re all about raising their kids the way they were raised – the same template as theirs.

How many of these roles have you played? I feel I keep shuttling between most of them, totally leaving out the DIY Parent – that’s just not for me! What about you? 

Interesting articles I read

Does belief have the power to heal?​ – Found this a really interesting article. This constant debate about whether it is faith in religion that helps cure the believers or is it the miracle of science has found a new twist. And reading this article has furthered my thinking on this. ​

What really caused the collapse of the Mayan civilisation?​ – I can’t get enough of history. And Mayan civilisation is one that is wrapped in layers of undiscovered secrets. Every article about this amazing civilisation just keeps adding to its intriguing character rather than providing a clear insight. 

Books by my bedside

Trying to wade through both ​The 80/20 Principle: Achieve More with Less​ by Richard Koch and ​American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer​ by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin right now. Both books need my complete focus or will lose out on some interesting bits of enlightenment.