Understanding the Four Parenting Styles

Parenting is a complex and multifaceted journey, with each parent navigating the experience in their own unique way. While there’s no single “right” way to raise children, understanding different parenting styles can offer valuable insight into our own approaches and help us reflect on what works best for our families. Psychologist Diana Baumrind’s framework, categorizing parenting styles into four main types, provides a helpful lens through which to examine these differences.

Authoritative Parenting: The Goldilocks Approach

Often considered the “gold standard,” authoritative parenting strikes a balance between demandingness and responsiveness. Authoritative parents set clear expectations