Parenting experts and real-life parents agree that authoritative parenting is the most positive and productive parenting style.
Parents who use the authoritative parenting style follow a few fundamental rules to raise independent, respectful, and self-aware children. These include:
- Creating and maintaining a positive relationship with children
- Establishing and following household rules with consequences
- Setting limits and boundaries
- Taking children’s feelings into consideration
Authoritative parenting involves a few critical steps to establish the parents as the rule-makers and the authority figures in the home. This doesn’t mean children are unable to express themselves, their feelings, or their frustrations.
On the contrary, families who follow this parenting style encourage their children to explore and discuss their emotions and feelings. The parent’s role is to nurture and support the child’s growth and experience while simultaneously setting limits on what is acceptable in the home.
For example, a child may share with their mom or dad that a particular rule is unfair and why they think it should be adjusted. The parents would listen to the child’s argument, validate their feelings, and try to help them understand exactly what this rule’s purpose is.
Children raised with the authoritative parenting style tend to be more energetic, self-reliant, cooperative, and successful.
