Parenting comes with multiple hats discipline being a major. One can never love and not instill discipline. It’s however a mastery that parents need to learn to avoid over or under doing it.  In reality parenting never comes with a guidebook. Its instinct we blindly follow believing for the best for our children.

 It is the joy of all parents /guardians to raise intelligent, confident and thriving children. However, to achieve the norms authoritative parenting shapes the journey giving incredible outcome. Authoritative parenting is a skill that is very essential when raising your kids. Parents/guardians need to raise well-rounded children who feel loved and have good behaviors.

 Parents are supposed to manage and strike a perfect balance between disciplinarian, parenting and pushover. Authoritative parents are warm and kind to their children but set adequate limits, too. They do respect their children's individuality and boundaries.

Children raised by authoritative parents are more likely to be independent, academically successful, self-reliant, socially accepted, and well-behaved. Kids are less likely to get depression or anxiety and less likely to be drug addicts.

What is authoritative parenting?

Authoritative parenting is a popular philosophy initiated from 1960s by the renowned Diana Baumrind. It is an approach to child-rearing that combines warmth, sensitivity and setting limits. Parents /guardians use positive support and reasoning to guide them and avoid options, threats, or punishments.

Why is authoritative parenting the best?

Authoritative parenting is the best way of raising your children as it offers a balanced mix of emotional support and parental control. Parents/guardians try to practice good discipline while emotionally nurturing their kids, leading to better cognitive and psychological development.

Signs of Authoritative Parenting

The guide below shows signs of authoritative parenting. They consist of;

• Setting reasonable rules

The authoritative parents set rules in the house that are very reasonable and explain the benefits to their children. The rules may be like;

• Bathing time
• Meals time
• Playtime
• Screen time
• Homework time
• Bedtime

• Give room for self-independence

Authoritative parents understand that kids must improve their independence to be happy and confident.

• Explain to kids the reason for carrying out the consequences

The authoritative parents explain to the kids why the rules are there to follow and why kids' evil actions have consequences. The costs are not to punishing but rather refreshing, and the parent will discuss why the rule should be kept intact.

• High expectations and unconditional positive respect

Authoritative parents tend to have very high expectations of their kids and teach them that failure is part of learning. It does not mean you expect the kid to be the best at everything, but you wish them to try their best. Showing unconditional positive regard helps them to feel cared for and safe.

Effects of authoritative parenting on children

• Being independent and self-reliant

Kids raised by authoritative parents are often found to be independent and self-reliant because they are encouraged to explore and exercise freedom of choice from a young age. They also grow up with fair and manageable expectations of what they can do by themselves. They are encouraged to be capable of great things if they try their best.

• Better learning

Siblings brought up in authoritative parenting homestead do well in their learning studies. Parents pay attention to their kids' studies and involve themselves by attending school meetings, counselling during hard times, and assisting them in their demands.

• Secure attachment

Kids raised with authoritative setting develop secure attachments from their parents. The parents are nurturers and listeners to their kids, creating a space where their kids will feel safe and secure.

• Strong emotional control

Children have solid emotional control because they have supportive role models and an emotionally stable environment. This will help the child to be an upstanding citizen and less likely to face legal problems.

• Have healthy lifestyle

Authoritative parents’ sets healthy boundaries that help kids develop positive eating habits. Children are likely to get healthy lifestyles like good nutrition, better sleep, exercise, and screen time management. The kids have a low occurrence of obesity due to good food and tooth decay as they often brush their teeth.

• Have better social skills.

Children who grow up in a supportive environment with fair rules know they must work within the rules to achieve their desires. They also keep in mind that their behaviors affect others; therefore, they have respect for others.

• Fewer chances of addiction

Kids raised in this style of parenting are less prone to drug addiction because their parents monitor them constantly. Parents try to know them better and sense the changes in their behaviors when something goes wrong.

• Harmony at home

There is always harmony at home where children are raised by authoritative parents as rules and regulations with expectations are well known. Kids don't respond rudely, and their parents are not so harsh. The family has open and healthy communication, leading to a peaceful environment.

Conclusion

It’s not about harsh parenting and living in fear but the act of responsible parenting. It’s about love, care and ensuring our kids grow in upright ways. Parents needs to take up their duty and provide the best parenting and discipline.