What's your parenting style?

Autocratic "the dictator"

Democratic: "The Active Parent"

Permissive: "The doormat"


Autocratic
High order/low freedom
Style: authority figure, prestige centered
Goal: power, control, pressure
Method: punishment. reward
Training: domination, imposition, order by demand
Rules: many rules, compliance
Message: Children are to be seen and not heard; You do it because I said so.

Democratic
Order with freedom
Style: knowledgeable leadership, situation centered
Goal: influence, reasonable limits
Method: natural and logical consequences, encouragement
Training: guidance, self determination, respect for order and routine, teaching
Rules: reasonable rules with consistent follow up
Message: listen to and respect the child, we do it because it is necessary.

Permissive
High freedom/little order
Style: authority ad leadership not overtly defined, parenting by ‘mood’
Goal: laissez faire, little structure, free from demands
Method: no or few consequences, consequences delivered in anger
Training: spontaneity, little order or routine
Rules: few rules, little follow-up
Message: Anything the child does or says is acceptable, No on does it because it does not matter.

Questions for thought:

How would you describe the parenting style in your family of origin?

How would you describe your own parenting style?

What would you like to change in your style of parenting?