Parenting Styles and Positive Parenting Parenting Styles are

Parenting Styles and Positive Parenting

Parenting Styles are. . . § Broad patterns of parenting practices. § Evaluated two dimensions: Ø degree of responsiveness (responsive vs. unresponsive) Ø degree of demandingness (demanding vs. undemanding)

Parenting Style Dimension: Responsiveness: Degree to which the parent is responsive and supportive of the child's needs and demands. Degree of: § § § Warmth and nurturing in child-rearing Affectionate interaction Interest in the child's daily activities Fostering of individuality and self-regulation Consideration for the child's personal feelings Respect for the child's point of view

Parenting Style Dimension: Demandingness: Degree of parental control and expectations of more mature and responsible behavior from a child. Degree of: § The discipline and punishment approach used § Amount of monitoring of the child's behavior and activities § Communication techniques applied

Parenting Styles

Authoritarian Parenting Style § Extremely strict form of parenting § Extreme value is placed on obedience and respect for authority § Children are expected to follow rules without question § Failure to follow rules = punishment § Open communication is not an option § Authoritarian parents are not very emotional or affectionate § Responsiveness = LOW § Demandingness = HIGH

Parenting Styles

Authoritative Parenting Style § Communicates in a warm, accepting, nurturing manner § Parents maintain firm expectations and restrictions on their children's behavior § Children's views and opinions are strongly considered and respected § Discipline measures are exercised in a consistent manner aimed at teaching § Parents are willing to listen to questions § Responsiveness = HIGH § Demandingness = HIGH

Parenting Styles

Permissive Parenting Style § Extremely relaxed and indulgent approach § Generally warm, nurturing and affectionate, but overly accepting of children's behavior, good or bad. § Few demands, rules, or restrictions are placed on children § Parents tend to avoid arguments § Use bribery to control their children § Responsiveness = HIGH § Demandingness = LOW

Parenting Styles

Uninvolved Parenting Style § Parent is disengaged and emotionally uninvolved in their child's life § Often only provide basic needs § Child is expected to fend for self § Little expression of love and affection § Parents too busy or self-involved to support their child in school functions, teach life skills, or encourage socially acceptable behavior § Responsiveness = LOW § Demandingness = LOW

Parenting Styles

Impact on Children § Children who are obedient, but rank lower in happiness, social competence, and self-esteem § Children rarely learn to think on their own; they feel pressured to conform § May be very angry, but find it hard dealing with anger § May be resentful, frustrated, withdrawn § May develop a tendency to act out § May develop a fear of failure (due to pressure) § Develop a resentment of authority

Impact on Children § § § Tend to be very social Good at developing positive relationships Do very well in school and academic testing Tend to be emotionally stable Alcohol and illicit drug use is lower than with other parenting styles

Impact on Children § Rank low in self-regulation and self -discipline § Tend to experience problems with authority § Tend to be aggressive and act out § Underage drinking or illicit drug use likely due to lack of rules

Impact on Children § Lowest in all developmental domains § Lack self-control, have low self-esteem, and less competent than peers § Believe they are unimportant to the parent § Become emotionally withdrawn § Have a sense of loneliness § Tend to use drugs and alcohol § May be defiant towards authority

Exercise: Parenting Styles

Parenting Styles Exercise Parenting Situations 1. It is bedtime and your toddler does not want to go to bed. 2. Your child broke a favorite toy. 3. Your preschooler's room is a mess. 4. It is time for your child to eat dinner, but he/she is in the middle of building a tower and wants to finish building it first. 5. Your preschooler had a friend over to play and they had a number of conflicts, fighting over toys and how to play their games. 6. Your toddler insists on putting on her own shirt and shoes but it takes her a long time and is making you late for work. How would parents with different parenting styles handle the situations?

Positive Parenting Approach “Begin with the End in Mind”

Positive Parenting Approach Basic Ideas § Each parent must realize the degree of influence their parenting style has on their children.

Positive Parenting Involves. . . § Having core values that guide parenting decisions § Raising children in a warm, loving, caring, supportive, positive environment §Providing children with tools to build self-confidence to handle stress §Encouraging children to believe in themselves and control their own destiny §Modeling “good character” §Practicing “positive discipline” strategies

Positive Discipline = Promoting learning via understanding and communication § Try to understand the meaning/reason behind the misbehavior § Encourage and reward positive behavior § Be specific with praise § Use consequences consistently and calmly when misbehavior occurs § Transform conflict into cooperation

Positive Discipline, continued § Focus attention on a child's positive behavior and celebrate successes and real efforts § Listen actively to understand a child’s needs & feelings § Build trust and foster mutual respect § Model responsible decision making § Anticipate difficulties and problems § Give gentle reminders early § Overlook small annoyances

Practicing Positive Discipline Parenting Situations 1. It is bedtime and your toddler does not want to go to bed. 2. Your child broke a favorite toy. 3. Your preschooler's room is a mess. 4. It is time for your child to eat dinner, but he/she is in the middle of building a tower and wants to finish building it first. 5. Your preschooler had a friend over to play and they had a number of conflicts, fighting over toys and how to play their games. 6. Your toddler insists on putting on her own shirt and shoes but it takes her a long time and is making you late for work. Using a positive parenting approach, how might you as a caregiver work with a parent to address these situations?