DID you know that there are four main types of parenting styles? Most people fall into one of the following categories; they are Authoritarian, Permissive, Authoritative and Uninvolved, which one are you?

What type of relationship do you have with your children? Do they fear you? Or do they take their eyes and pass you? If you reprimand your child with a slap, would your child slap you back? Or would he/she run off crying and hide his/her face in the corner. Does your child talk to you openly or hold back because he/she knows, without doubt, what your reaction will be?

Everyone has their idea on how to raise children, a large percentage of people use their upbringing as a blueprint for what and what not to do, without checking out whether the results are favourable or flawed. On 4 minutes 4 change, this week, we would like to share some tips on how to be a better parent.

Children are born with an intrinsic need to be loved and protected and as they grow their needs change, so parents need to be adaptable and provide encouragement, guidance, praise and nurturing as part of their positive enforcement. Exposing children to positive qualities will support their sense of well-being and bring out the best in them. So how do you parent? Are you an AUTHORITARIAN parent? In this particular parenting style, parents are strict. They put high demands on their children and expect satisfactory results.
In return, there is very little praise or nurturing. Parents do not appear to be as big on hugs and kisses as they are on obedience, good behaviour and punishment.

If this is your mode of parenting, consider these tips: Children need parents to be responsive; they need to feel warmth and affection from their parents, naturally. When parents offer consistent guidance and nurturing, and spend quality time interacting with their children regularly, children grow more confident and feel protected – attributes for a successful childhood.

Are you a PERMISSIVE parent? Permissive parents do not set high demands on their children. They tend to be very loving but fail to lay down any clear rules or boundaries. Permissive parents seem more like a friend than a parent to their children. Although this may sound fine on the surface, because children are at least experiencing lots of love; on the contrary, they are technically at risk. Children from permissive households are more likely to develop behavioural problems and less likely to do well at school. This will not be because they are academically inept, but because they do not value structure or working methodically towards achievements.

Consider these tips: Children need boundaries and regulations at home so they can understand and respect the same in society. No one is above the law. Morals and values should be instilled at an early age. Children will always need someone they love and trust to lead by example and to explain to them where they are wrong and encourage them when they are right. Parenting skills evolve and change as children grow older but parameters must be maintained. Have fun, be open, love and enjoy your children; teach them qualities to enhance their lives.

AUTHORITATIVE parenting is when parents set high demands for their children and they are present to give their support in every way. They are consistent in maintaining boundaries and consider their child’s emotional welfare and sense of well-being in every circumstance. Children experience the warmth and a sense of security from parents in an authoritative setting.

Parents avoid talking down to their children or calling them derogatory names. In this manner of parenting beating, threatening or punishing them for misdeeds is non-existent. Instead, children are treated with sensitivity and guided by reasoning. They benefit more from this type of parenting than the others and children are more likely to be independent, self-reliant and well-behaved. Tips to consider: Regardless of how well you believe you are doing it is always useful to do a self-analysis of your actions. How well are you managing your role? Are there areas in which you can improve? What are your strengths and weaknesses?

The fourth type of parenting is called UNINVOLVED parenting and as the word implies ‘uninvolved parenting’ means parents are bordering on being neglectful. Their demands on their offspring are low, and their involvement is usually minimal. They very rarely set boundaries or demand good behaviour from their children.

Uninvolved parents fail to meet the needs of their children beyond food, clothes and shelter. They always seem to be pre-occupied or overwhelmed by their problems, offering little guidance or protection to their children. Tips to consider: As children grow they will need to be guided by the adults in their lives so they can strive and develop into well-rounded, law-abiding citizens.

When children grow in a neglected environment, they lack self-esteem and feel unloved and unworthy. Later on in life, they may struggle to maintain a meaningful relationship and suffer from emotional anxieties and problems. Parents can influence their children’s outcome by adapting positive parenting skills.
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION