4 parenting approaches to pick from (best before becoming parents!)

Helen Hunt & Paul Reiser, in the referenced scene of the sitcom Mad About You

Most parents won’t choose their parenting style before becoming parents.

I started teaching prenatal pediatric sessions after our second daughter was born. Since there was nothing prepared in advance, my guiding prompt was this — what would I like to have known before I became a father?

When I ask parents-to-be about the parenting style they will have, most don’t know what to answer.

I use a short video to illustrate how new parents cope with their daughter’s sleeping training. I tend to conclude that a crisis is not the best time to elucidate the principles guiding our parenting. but often the issue hasn’t been addressed beforehand.

Picking this video from a sitcom helps to discuss different parenting styles with no drama.

4 parenting approaches

1️⃣ Authoritarian: High expectations and strict rules are the hallmark of this style. Parents tend to be controlling and frequently will punish their children to enforce/impose the rules. Negotiation and discusrrion aren’t usually on the table.

2️⃣ Permissive: Non-demanding parents who tend to laissez faire. There are few rules, and even those might not be applied consistently. Children enjoy great — rather excessive —…