Healthy Parenting Styles

Parenting is an instinctive process, but is often coloredcan either make the children manipulative or, if they
by the types of parenting styles that the father andrecognize that their parents actually want the best for
mother have been exposed to themselves. Thethem, make them stronger. They can respond to these
emotional baggage they bring into their marriagetwo contrary types of parenting styles constructively.
usually has a role to play in all their relationships.Instead of growing up manipulating the mother and
Despite this, most parents are keen on doing their bestresenting the father, the children can face up to the
for their children, something every child instinctivelyfather's criticism and improve themselves or confront
recognizes. Hence whichever types of parentinghis remarks positively. They can indulge in their
styles, according to the book, that the child receives,mother's over-protectiveness, or learn to take it lightly,
the inherent bond of love is the strongest governingand gently chide her for it.
factor.However, not all children respond in this healthy
One of the most common types of parenting styles ismanner, even within the same family. Some grow up
smothering by the mother and criticism by the father.as bullies and sullen people who cannot face a real
The mother tries to spoon feed her children at everychallenge in life. These are options that children face
occasion, and is overly concerned about theirwhile growing up, and their emotional growth really
increasing need for independence as they grow older.depends on their response to the types of parenting
On the other hand, the children can do no right in thestyles they have experienced. Differing circumstances
eyes of the father, who constantly criticizes theirmay result in differing types of parenting styles, but
appearance, behavior and performance. This is often afinally it is the various influences during the formative
throwback back on the insecurities and problemsthat make a child into the adult he or she becomes.
faced by the parents while they were growing up. AnThere are always other influences during the growing
overly critical parent may be reacting to stress atyears, such as teachers, peers and often neighbors,
work, or other inter-personal relationships, including withgrandparents, and other relatives. The children who
the spouse.recognize their parents' underlying sincerity, however
Children, who are raised by a smothering mother andmisguided and misrepresented it may have been, can
over critical father, may react in different ways. Thisgrow up strong and tolerant.