As a parent, how many decisions do you allow your child to make? I allow my daughter to choose what clothes she’s going to wear, how she would like her hair style, and even sometimes what she would like to have for dinner. I allow her to feel she has a valued opinion and voice that needs to be heard. I believe it is a critical part of a child’s blooming independence into what we know as life. Given that I allow her to express herself in those ways, there are boundaries that are crossed from time to time. Where do the boundaries of self expression and independence meet the balance of parental guidance and decision making?

I have run across many parents that allow their children or child to call the shots being very permissive. A permissive parent is one whom allows their child to be in control of everything. One way you can tell if you are a permissive parent is if you give in every time your child has a temper tantrum. Another parenting style, that is common, is the authoritarian which does not give the child any independence. You know if you are that parent, if you are very rigid and you never ask your child for their opinion. The last parenting style, that I am completely not a fan of is, the uninvolved parent whom is neglectful and distant. As a parent, you know if you are THAT person, do not be THAT person.

Me, personally, they are not my parenting style. I am an authoritative parent. I allow my daughter to express how she feels and then I make my final stamp on the decision that is made. I believe that it is the best possible way to create balance between her feeling heard and myself giving my parental guidance. An example of my parenting style is, my daughter expresses she wants to go to the park, but just made a mess with her toys. I would tell her she has to clean up her toys, if she wants to go to the park. The authoritative parent sets guidelines and is flexible with their child. I have to stay aware of what type of parent I am being because it is crucial for my daughter. We must all be aware of how we parent our children because it affects them when they grow into adults.