Session 3
Parent Lesson 8:
Parenting Styles
Objectives
Participants will:
• Explore four common parenting styles
• Identify your parenting style
• Gain skills in using a democratic style of
parenting that is firm but fair
Icebreaker
Dominating
• Threatens, intimidates,
commands
• Rigid and controlling
• Offers very little affection,
warmth, encouragement
or praise
• Enforces a clear set of
expectations and
monitors children’s
activities carefully
Possible Child Outcomes
• Rebellious or submissive
• Manipulative and sneaky
• Power struggles with parents
• Only follow rules when parent is present
• Become power-oriented with peers (the bully)
• Have difficulty making decisions
• Act distrustful
Permissive
• Tries to be child’s friend
• Too busy or distracted
• Substitutes “things” for
time or commitment
• Rescues
• Offers few guidelines
• Inconsistent
• Does too much for the
child
Possible Child Outcomes
• Insecure
• Searching for boundaries
• Little respect for authority
• Poor self-control
• Self-indulging
• Doesn’t understand cause and effect
• Doesn’t follow rules
• Irresponsible
Unengaged
• Inconsistent
• Little nurturing
• No expectations
• Selfish
• Not emotionally or
mentally engaged
• Little respect for children
and others
Possible Child Outcomes
• Little respect for others
• No responsibility or may be too
responsible for their age if expected
to raise themselves and siblings
• High anxiety
Positive Parenting Style
• Firm but loving
• Sets clear boundaries
• Follows through with
appropriate consequences
• Reasonable expectations
Positive Parenting Style
• Allow for learning from
mistakes
• Model expected behaviors
• Are confident, flexible,
respectful
• Model teamwork, give and
take, and share the power
Possible Child Outcomes
• Confident
• Secure
• Respects self and others
• Responsible
• Self-disciplined
• Inner motivation
• Closer family relationships
What’s your style?
What will you work on?
• Be firm but loving
• Set clear boundaries
• Follow through with appropriate consequences
• Set reasonable expectations
• Allow for learning from mistakes
• Model expected behaviors
• Be confident, flexible, respectful
• Model teamwork, give and take, share the power
When Parents Disagree
Out of Balance
Balance
“Out of balance” happens
when one parent becomes
more strict or lenient in
response to the other
parent’s style.
Balance happens when
parents agree on the
issues and consequences,
consider the outcomes
and support one another.
Gearing Up for Middle School
• Discoveries?
• Questions?
• Stories?
Thank you for
participating!
See you next session.
Rock dominating,
rigid with rules
to follow
The moon –
has influence but
seldom is seen and
is very distance
and uninvolved
Tennis ball –
firm and flexible
with clear
boundaries
Marshmallow manipulated
easily,
no substance