What is Authoritative Parenting?
Authoritative parenting is a parenting style that balances high expectations with warmth, empathy, and nurturing. Parents who use this style establish clear and reasonable rules and boundaries for their children while fostering a supportive and loving environment.
This style is often characterized by a high level of communication between parent and child, with the parent taking the time to explain rules and consequences clearly and concisely. This helps children to understand the reasoning behind these rules and encourages them to take responsibility for their actions.
Traits of Authoritative Parents
- Set clear and consistent rules: Authoritative parents set clear and consistent rules for their children. They also explain the reasoning behind the rules, which helps children to understand why the rules are in place.
- Encourage independence: Authoritative parents encourage their children to make age-appropriate decisions and take responsibility for their actions. They also provide support and guidance when needed.
- Communicate effectively: Authoritative parents communicate effectively with their children. They listen to their children’s concerns, provide guidance and support, and explain their expectations clearly and calmly.
- Show warmth and support: Authoritative parents show warmth and support to their children. They offer praise and encouragement when their children do well and provide comfort and reassurance when they are upset.
- Provide structure and routine: Authoritative parents provide structure and routine for their children. This helps children to feel secure and know what is expected of them.
- Use positive reinforcement: Authoritative parents use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. They offer praise and rewards when their children do well, rather than just punishing bad behavior
Why Experts Agree Authoritative Parenting is an Effective Parenting Style
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ― Benjamin Franklin
This quote depicts what authoritative parenting involves. They will learn because they are involved.
Research has proved that authoritative parents are more likely to raise confident kids who have good social skills, are capable of problem-solving, and achieve academic success. Unlike permissive parenting, authoritative parents allow their children to learn from their mistakes.
Experts attribute authoritative parenting to creating an environment where the child feels supported and encouraged to reach to their full potential. These children tend to have higher self-esteem and a lower risk of developing negative behavior such as aggression.
Additionally, experts says that an authoritative parenting style builds a strong bond between the parent and child. Authoritative parents establish clear, reasonable rules and boundaries and foster a supportive and loving environment. This helps the children feel secure and cared for, which is essential for healthy development.
A high level of communication between the child and the parent characterizes authoritative parenting. Parents take their time to explain rules, consequences, and expectations clearly. This encourages children to be responsible and build trust in their parents.
Also, authoritative parenting encourages independence. Authoritative parents allow their children to make age-appropriate decisions and to take responsibility for their actions. This helps foster a sense of independence and self-esteem, which is essential for success.
Experts also agree that authoritative parenting is the most effective since its is adaptable to different personalities and situations. Authoritative parents can adjust their parenting style to meet their child’s needs, whether that means being more nurturing or firmer. This flexibility helps ensure that children get the support and guidance they need to succeed.
An authoritative Parenting Style does not Guarantee Successful Parenting.
It is important to note that an authoritative parenting style does not guarantee successful parenting. Parenting is not an exact science. As a child psychologist and a mother, my advice is to be keen on your parenting practices. These practices are different from parenting styles. Be a loving and understanding parent who has created structure and boundaries. Don’t focus much on punishment but on discipline when necessary. Listen to your child and allow them to make guided decisions.
Common Things that Authoritative Parents Do
- Giving age-appropriate household chores.
- Encourage kids to have their opinion and share it with others
- Prioritize connection over micromanaging child’s behavior
- Follow through with fair discipline when rules are broken
- Comfortable with saying no to the child
- Support their child’s ambition and interest by encouraging them and availing needed tools.
- Keep track of where the kids are playing, where they go after school, and activities they engage in while at home.
- Observe kid’s activities on the internet.
- Check what they watch and limit too much screen time
- They are aware of kid’s academic performance
- Have dinner together with their children
- Spend more quality time with kids and learn about their interests and thoughts.
- Explain to kids things as they are, and do not criticize them for not knowing something.
- Allow kids to make decisions and feel the consequences of their choice
- Allow kids to choose what to wear and ask why they choose particular clothes. This helps you learn your child’s way of thinking.
The authoritative parenting style has been associated with positive effects on kids compared to other parenting styles.
Pros
- Kids develop secure attachments.
- Reduce anger and resentment in kids toward parents
- Reduce parenting stress and burnout
- Teach emotional control
- Children grow into a happier, more responsible, and more successful adult
- Boost self-esteem, self-reliance, and confidence.
One huge limitation of authoritative parenting is that it does not come naturally for every parent. Some find it difficult to maintain, especially with other stress associated with life. It takes consistency and patience to be an authoritative parent. Sometimes the kids are hard-headed and not gentle with us as parents.
Consider being gentle with yourself and learn every day. Parenting is an evolving journey; you can get it right with full support. An authoritative parenting style helps your kid develop loving, healthy, and respectful relationships if adopted.