What Are the Different Types of Parenting Styles?

Anybody who’s had children will tell you that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising kids. That’s because different parents have various ways of disciplining and guiding their young ones. In fact, you might have noticed that your own parenting style could vary based on the day, the situation, or even your child’s mood.

School-age children can adjust to different parenting styles, but it’s important to understand the most common types of parenting styles to figure out what works best for your family.

Keep reading as we discuss the main parenting styles. This will help you reflect on your own parenting journey.

Authoritative Parenting

Most people consider authoritative parenting as the “ideal” parenting style. If you’re an authoritative parent, most of these statements might sound familiar to you:

You work hard to build and maintain a positive relationship with your child.
You explain the reasons behind your rules.
You set boundaries and enforce rules, but also consider your child’s feelings.
You use positive discipline techniques, like praise and rewards.

As an authoritative parent, you set clear rules and boundaries, but you also give your child the freedom to communicate freely with you. You also put time and effort into preventing behavior problems before they even start. And when your child makes a mistake, you view it as a learning opportunity rather than just a consequence.

School-age children tend to thrive with this style because they feel secure and understood. They learn self-discipline and respect for others, and they’re more likely to develop strong problem-solving skills.

Example of Authoritative Parenting

A great example of authoritative parenting can be seen at mealtimes. Instead of coming up with strict rules about what or when to eat, you engage with your child. You might invite them to help prepare the meal or even let them pick a dish for the family to enjoy once a week. This helps create a positive environment around eating simply because your child feels included and learns healthy habits.

Authoritarian Parenting

If you’re an authoritarian parent, you tend to set strict rules for your little ones. You’re more focused on disciplining them and don’t give them a chance to communicate with you or voice their opinions. Most authoritarian parents use the following statements:

“Kids should be seen and not heard.”
“It’s my way or the highway.”
“I don’t take my child’s feelings into consideration.”
“Because I said so.”

While this style can make your children to be well-behaved, it can also make them more resentful or rebellious when they grow up. If your children are of school age, they may be able to follow the rules, but they may struggle with self-esteem or have difficulty with decision-making since they’re used to following instructions without asking “why.”

Example of Authoritarian Parenting

Let’s say during mealtime, your child says they don’t want to eat what’s on their plate. As an authoritarian parent, you might insist that they eat the same meal as everyone else or that they finish everything on their plate—no questions asked. You don’t explain why they should eat their food, and you don’t let them explain why they don’t want to eat the food. It’s more about following the rules than engaging in a conversation.

Neglectful Parenting Style

Neglectful parents often leave kids to raise themselves. They basically don’t care about anything happening in their child’s life. They may provide for their basic needs, but they don’t really spend time interacting or guiding them. Here are some of the most common traits of a neglectful parent:

They don’t really ask your child about school or their homework.
They’re not always sure where they are or who they’re with.
They don’t spend much time with them.
They don’t have many rules or expectations for them.

Sometimes, this isn’t intentional. If you’re dealing with your own challenges like mental health issues or substance abuse, you may struggle to meet your child’s physical or emotional needs.

Example of Neglectful Parenting

Your child comes home from school, but you don’t ask how their day went. You don’t offer them anything to eat, so they might just grab a snack from the kitchen. You also don’t check if they’ve done their homework or know who they hang out with after school.

Which Parenting Style is the Best for You?

Parenting isn’t easy, and there is no perfect way of doing it. That’s because each child is unique, and what works for one family might not work for another. By understanding different parenting styles, you can choose one that works best for your family.