How parenting styles can impact a child's confidence
Much has been discussed about various parenting styles, and I'd like to share my personal experiences as a mother.
Parenting is promoting and supporting a child's physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive development from infancy to adulthood. Below, I will delve into a few parenting styles from my own perspective:
Authoritarian Parenting: Authoritarian parents set high expectations and are often inflexible. Children raised under such parents tend to be well-behaved, but they may lack self-esteem and the ability to make independent decisions. This parenting style can stifle a child's voice and hinder their ability to speak up. For instance, I am allergic to grass, so if instructed to cut it, I'd suffer from itching and boils. If I were with an authoritative figure, I might find it challenging to express my concerns. (This is just one example.)
Friendly Parenting: In this style, parents are nurturing but have minimal expectations and rules. Children are encouraged to figure things out for themselves, which can sometimes lead to indulgence in unhealthy behaviors, like overeating, resulting in obesity or emotional instability.
Overcorrection and Focus on Achievement: Constantly correcting children and excessively emphasizing achievement and excellence can unintentionally put excessive pressure on them.
In my personal experience, I noticed that one of my children seemed to lean heavily on me as she was growing up. I believed I was teaching her self-reliance by pushing her to stand on her own. However, I was mistaken, and this approach prevented her from confiding in me about her concerns. I gradually lost her trust without realizing it.
As a parent, it's possible to believe you're doing the right thing without recognizing the negative impact your actions may have on your child. My daughter, for instance, felt I didn't like her, but I'm thankful that today she's a grown woman and my closest confidant, as well as a supportive sibling to her brothers and sisters.
In conclusion, I'd like to suggest that parenting styles should be adaptable depending on the specific situation. Collective parenting, which combines different styles based on the needs of the child, may often be the most effective approach.
