Parenting˳ It can be the hardest job in the world, and yet it can also be the most rewarding˳ Do you wish there were a set of rules to follow, guidelines at least? We want to do the best for our children, we want them to have and be everything that they can˳ Making choices when it comes to parenting and discipline can be very difficult˳ How do we want to discipline our kids, and which way is the best?
How we parent often is a direct result of how we were parented˳ When I was young and head strong, I swore I would never raise my kids like that! And yet, as I grow older, I so often will find myself saying or doing something the exact same way that my parents said or did to me˳ I catch myself doing it, and it brings a smile to my face˳ Do you catch yourself doing this too?
When it comes to parenting and discipline, there are a few different approaches/techniques that we can look at˳
Authoritarian Parenting – This is when we rule with an iron fist˳ It is about controlling our kids˳ Some of the more harsh (violent) techniques that are used in this approach are spanking, hitting, yelling, laying blame, using guilt, humiliating, criticizing and so on˳ The children learns to listen out of utter fear of what will happen when they don’t˳
Punishments and Rewards – Although this is a less violent method, it is still based in fear, to achieve the desired outcome˳ Children are either punished by removing privileges, time-outs, withdraw of love and guilt; or by rewards that can include money, extra privileges, new toys and the like˳
Studies have shown these two methods to be quite damaging to children because it hurts them emotionally, ruins their self-esteem and confidence, while removing any sense of power or control over their own life and actions˳
Permissive Parenting – This is way on the other end of the scale˳ Parents do not feel in control, and will parent through trying to coax the child, bribing, pleading, and negotiating with the child˳ In this approach to parenting, it is the parents who feel at wits-end, and have lost their own sense of personal power˳
This method can also be damaging to the child˳ Often in this situation, the needs of the child are not being met˳ Believe it or not, all children do need rules and routines to function at their best˳
Democratic Parenting – As the name suggests, this is more of a win, win for parent and child˳ This approach to parenting is where there is a level of trust and respect toward each other˳ The children are included in the process˳ This method comes from a place of love˳ Rules and routines are still in place, but children are not being controlled with fear tactics˳ Discipline is used as it should be, to train the child˳ It allows the child to grow and gain self-esteem, confidence and power while at the same time respecting what is asked of them by the parent˳
This method lessens conflict, and stress for both parent and child because it based on a connection˳
If the democratic parenting approach is not how you were raised, you may have a difficult time wrapping your head around the idea at first, but after some time implementing this method you will see how much less stress is involved and you will notice a great improvement in the whole process˳ You will enjoy parenting your child, and you will both be happier for it˳
To learn more about parenting and discipline, please stop by my website and sign up for my mini-course entitled “Parenting Happy Children”˳
Source by https://ezinearticles˳com/?Parenting-and-Discipline:-Which-Approach-Is-Best?&id=5724954
