Parenting Styles

The way parents raise their child after birth is called parenting. There are various parenting styles that parents follow. It is often said that one parent needs to be gentle and the other firm; if both behave harshly with the child, it is painful for the child. That, too, is a style.

A few parenting styles:

1. Authoritarian parenting: "My child will do exactly what I say." I said no play now, sit with your books — so that is what must happen. In short, they must go by my word.

2. Authoritative parenting: I told my child to stop playing; they said "just 5 more minutes." I said, "Alright, sit down to study after 5 minutes." That is, I set a rule while also paying attention to my child's emotions.

3. Over-protective parenting: My child is in class ten but still can't eat by themselves — I feed them; can't fold their own clothes — I do it; can't sleep alone at night. "I only have one child, so I pamper them a bit more." This means you are not letting them do the tasks appropriate for their age — in the name of affection, you are not letting them become self-reliant.

4. Uninvolved parenting: "I've left the child to themselves; they'll learn everything in time." Here you are not attending to their emotional needs or finding out what they require.

Each style has a different effect on the child's mental state. Now consider which one you follow for your child, and whether their mental health is alright.