Is the Authoritative Parenting Style For You?

Is the Authoritative Parenting Style For You?

Is it true that many parenting and child experts agree that the best style of parenting would be the authoritative parenting style? Let us look at some aspect in this style.

The authoritative parenting style can be characterized as a style in which the parents clearly set defined limitations and boundaries on the behaviors of their children. The resulting outcome is children knowing what they should expect from the parent, and what the parent is expecting from them. This seems to be the strongest quality of the authoritative parenting style. Without looking it up, I can only remember this one positive quality.

If you want to have more parenting success and improve the relationship that you have with your children, other parenting styles incorporate the positive aspects of the authoritative parenting style.

When considering your style of parenting as you raise your kids, seriously reflect on these tips.

• 1. Come up with a set of clear limits and boundaries for your children's behaviors. (They will most likely refer to these as 'rules.') Have these 'rules' be reasonable and age appropriate.
• 2. Have consequences and rewards set for every 'rule.'
• 3. Have a lesson included with all the consequences and rewards.
• 4. Explain these 'rules' and all consequences and rewards associated with them.
• 5. Listen to all questions and reactions. You may have missed a valid point.
• 6. Be Patient, when you set and explain the 'rules.'
• 7. Be prepared to repeat the 'rules,' consequences and rewards as many times as necessary.
• 8. Whenever your child forgets or disregards the 'rules,' avoid shouting, or punishing your children. When you lose your patience and start yelling, you are just worsening the situation. You will also create stress for you and your children. Children do not always understand shouting. They do not understand why you are shouting at them, and they only see it in as frightening and stop thinking.
• 9.Behave as you would have your children behave. Your children will see you as a role model rather than a disciplinarian.

In addition, please consider these thoughts. When looking up the word 'authoritarian,' what I found was words that sent a shiver down my spine. Such words are, rigid, strict, severe, demanding, and controlling. I also looked up the word authority. Here I found more positive words including, ability, influence, and talent. These words sound like a better direction to follow. You will want your children to think of you as an authority. 

As someone, they can trust and follow always. You will want to influence their behavior decisions, even when they are away from home. Sometimes, your children will even be able to understand the need for limits and boundaries, sometimes.

Having your children grow to be well-rounded individuals requires more than just 'rules.' You will want them to happy, content, successful, independent, confident, articulate, generous, and kind adults. Using a strictly authoritative parenting style may cause more difficulties down the road than you may want to face.