PARENTING
Parents take on a lot!
A parent is a caregiver – whether a biological parent, stepparent, legal guardian, grandparent, or a combination of one of these forms. Across the many diverse forms of parenting, key fundamental competencies exist related to raising children in our ever-changing society. Some of these include being protective, balancing nurturance and control, understanding a child’s developmental needs, and the ability to effectively co-parent.
For many, the responsibilities associated with parenthood can be distressing. This can be true for new parents, as well as parents who have more experience.
Some of the common challenges that parents face include:
- Work-life harmony
- Lack of support
- Self-doubt
- Struggles related to bonding
- Communication
- Discipline
- Attending to developmental needs
- Providing consistent care
- Maintaining adult relationships
- Financial difficulties
- Difficulties related to daily routines
- Lack of sleep or chronic fatigue
- Marital problems
- Grief and loss
- Behavioral problems
- Transitions (such as moving or job loss)
- Medical or mental health issues
- Poor community or environmental conditions
What’s your parenting style?
Parenting styles are patterns of behaviors, practices, and values that influence outcomes for children. There are four main types of parenting styles. Each of these styles is defined by different characteristics related to parental responsiveness (or nurturance) and demandingness (or behavioral limit-setting).
- Authoritarian (low responsiveness and high demandingness) – involves a focus on making rigid rules and using strict discipline or punishment to obtain compliance. Parents with this style generally set high expectations with limited flexibility, and are less nurturing and sensitive to their child’s needs and opinions.
- Authoritative (high responsiveness and high demandingness) – involves a focus on making firm rules and using positive discipline strategies. Parents with this style tend to be nurturing and reasonable, providing a balance between child responsibility and freedom.
- Permissive (high responsiveness and low demandingness) – involves few explicit rules accompanied by lenient (or the absence of) expectations and consequences. Parents with this style tend to be nurturing and warm, keeping communication open but letting children self-direct without input or set expectations.
- Uninvolved (low responsiveness and low demandingness) – involves few rules and a lack of parental attention and involvement. Parents with this neglectful style tend to be offer little nurturance and do not meet the basic or emotional needs of their child.
Among these four most common types, authoritative parenting is linked with more positive adaption outcomes for both children and adolescents. For example, authoritative parenting is associated with children being more self-reliant, cooperative with others, self-controlled, and achievement-oriented.
Parental impact is significant and enduring.
Counseling and therapy at Wellness Grove…
Our in-person (outpatient) counseling services are offered in Canton OH (near Akron, North Canton, and Massillon). We also offer telemental health sessions to all Ohio residents.
Wellness Grove
