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98 Parent Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best parent topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 most interesting parent topics to write about, 📌 simple & easy parent essay titles, 👍 good essay topics on parent.

Single-Parent Families The chief materials that are to be used in the proposed experiment are the measurement scale to evaluate changes in adolescents’ attitudes towards single-parent families and the source of information about single-parent households.
How Do Teenagers Deal With Problems and Consequence Without Parent’s Support? This is because the parents are not in a position to be of good guidance during the period of the problems and they are not reliable and therefore teenagers tend to rely on themselves. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
What Is a Parent? In the cases wherein the egg and sperm do not come from the couple, and a surrogate is used to carry the child, who is the real parent of the child?
Good Parent-Children Relationship Characteristics of the children compared to those of the parents can also influence the relationships between the parents and the children.
Parent-Child Relationships in “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker The more distant and fractious relationship is between the narrator and Dee. The narrator is referred to as “Mama,” and a mama she is.
Single Parent and Child Language Development The first-born child in a family is more likely to have a higher chance of better language development than the remaining children that follow him.
Disability Equality of a Disabled Lone Parent Although the officials were initially reluctant owing to her physical condition and the nature of work she was to perform, they allowed her to try.
Parent Interview: Through the Generations I was wondering about her understanding of the roles of mothers and fathers in a family and society, as well as the changes modern parenting undergoes. The development of family relationships is a choice a […]
Parent–Child and Sibling Relationships In the literature on quality of sibling relationships, the focus has been made on studying psychological implications of sibling relationships, variations in sibling relationships in societies, and the implications of their successful and unsuccessful development.
Parent-Teacher Conferences and Their Forms The picture is a great example of a successful parent-teacher conference as all factors presented in it can greatly contribute to the mutual understanding and further cooperation of parents and a teacher.
Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education One of the current trends in special education is the emphasis on the collaboration between the parents or caregivers of children with special needs and the providers of special education interventions.
The CAEP’s 7 Elements of Effective Parent-Teacher Partnerships Furthermore, engaging families in their child’s learning can also improve communication between families and educators, leading to a better understanding of student needs and more effective teaching and learning.
Old-Young and Parent-Child Relationships in Early Chinese Society It is possible to apply the same principle to the relationships of the parent and the child, where the child should always respect the parent and follow their orders and advice.
Child-Parent Relationships in Contemporary International Cinema Understanding the quality of the relationships between parents and children plays an important role in modern society, and various methods are used to deliver the message and share opinions.
Parenthub as Resource for Parent-Child Relationships Building Unfortunately, not all parents understand effective methods of upbringing, do not realize the value of a favorable environment for the child’s independence, and neglect the appearance of the youth’s emotional anticipation.
Children and Parent’s Adjustment Process The adjustment process of new children and their parents can be challenging for them and the teacher. Inviting the parents to the classroom can help with the separation anxiety in both children and their parents.
The Sandwich Generation: Impact on the Parent Caring for Children and Parents The person who has the role of taking care of both the small children and the elderly parents meets multiple challenges while managing all the responsibilities simultaneously.
The Relationship Between Single-Parent Households and Poverty The given literature review will primarily focus on the theoretical and empirical aspects of the relationship between single-parent households and poverty, as well as the implications of the latter on mental health issues, such as […]
Empathy in Parent-Child Relationships It is the responsibility of parents to explain to their children what is right and what is wrong so that they can form their own opinion and develop a sense of self-worth.
Parent-Child Relationships in Later Life My mother, in turn, seeks to demonstrate that she is not a child anymore, and the patronage of that kind insults her.
What Every New Parent Should Know Undoubtedly, the issue of preparing for the baby is essential, and it touches almost every young couple, so the majority of people are familiar with it. For instance, the conflict between the parents and their […]
New Parent Guide Assignment Their sense of smell is manifested at birth; they start distinguishing and preferring their mother’s scent. A baby’s attachment system can be actuated when their feelings of security and safety are threatened.
What Is a Concept Good Parent? Overall, a good parent is a parent who can offer one’s child love and affection which is important for his or her normal development as a dignified and contented person, and is also successful in […]
Parent’s Right to Travel Out of the Country This paper seeks to analyze the parent’s right to travel out of the country and outlines why traveling has been an issue for the courts In the US, the Supreme Court acknowledges that every citizen […]
Parent Involvement and Student Achievement The purpose of the study is to investigate whether parental involvement plays a role in elementary school student achievement.
Success: How to Parent? Therefore, it is crucial to choose a competent approach to raising a child to not injure them in this way. This will help in choosing a profession and the entire path of life.
Parent-School Communication The current paper includes an interview with the school’s principal regarding the opportunities for parent-school partnership.
Parent Purchase Bottled Water With all the sweat and tears, I can feel that you must be really tired with all the work that you do. This total number of bottled water consumed excludes the water that you take […]
Teens Talking With Their Partners About Sex: The Role of Parent Communication The MSS covers areas relevant to the study that are the communication of students with parents, sexual behavior, and communication with sexual partners.
Parent-Teacher-Youth Mediation Program Analysis Firstly, the parent-child communication quality will be evaluated within the framework of the characteristics of their relationships and the ability to manage the conflicting situation.
The Parent-Involvement Research The REB attempts to balance between the benefits accrued to students from the research and the degree of interference in classroom activities. Therefore, Deslandes and Bertrand should have submitted the overall value of the research […]
Incarceration of a Parent or a Guardian of Recidivist It is important to note that the survey will generalize the experiences of these people, and it will be possible to develop certain recommendations concerning reintegration programs.
Parent or Guardian Who Is Against Group Work Issue The discussion is held in groups, the students are free to express their ideas about the topic and to give persuasive arguments.
Parent-Child Relations in Poetry Robert Hayden is probably one of the best known for his verses that discover and articulate the African-American practice, from the epoch of slavery, and the times of Civil War, up to the time he […]
Parent Involvement in the Elementary School Setting The problem that should be discussed regarding parent involvement is the low level of their participation and the lack of understanding of how to assist children in their studying.
Parent-School Online Communication Platforms The above section has supported the use of different platforms to improve the way teachers share ideas and information with different parents in an attempt to improve learners’ outcomes.
Verizon Wireless: Joint Venture and Parent Company In the end, Verizon was able to adopt a more sustainable orientation, securing its position and capitalizing on the growing wireless communication market.
Parent Education and Discipline-Training Programs Child welfare Child welfare is a system designed to guarantee child safety and to improve the capability of parents or guidance to care for their children.
Abbreviated Plans: Parent or Guardian Incarceration The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the program aimed at the reintegration of former inmates into society.
Parent Volunteering in the Early Education Centers The essence of this practice is to make children aware of the colour palette and some of its peculiarities in the process of drawing and make sure all children learn to perform the task accurately […]
Parent-Child Perceptions: Sexual Discussions The issue of unsafe sex affects all the teenagers despite their race thus the failure by Latino parents to mention the issue of unsafe sex openly with their children has a long-term negative impact on […]
Poverty in American Single-Parent Families It is necessary to note that the article provides an in-depth analysis of the correlation between social capital and single mothers’ wellbeing.
Infant-Parent Attachment: Secure or Insecure? Overall, it will be argued that a child with secure attachment, also referred to as strong attachment in the paper, is more aware, and easily interacts, with other people and his or her environment as […]
Children’s Right to Be Parented by the Best Parent If we attempt to answer what the parent really is, we are likely to touch upon the assumptions about the grounds, on which the right to parent a child is based.
Parent-Child Relationship in Early Modern England Moreover, the influence that parents had was significant, and it would not be an easy task for the government to monitor and review all the cases of unfair treatment. The author suggests that parents loved […]
Emotions in Parent of a Child With Special Needs It is due to this that parents who have children that have special needs are often relegated to the role of a caregiver resulting in them having to bathe, feed and even change the clothes […]
Parent-Teen Relations in the United States and Denmark In this regard, the main aim of the given study is to compare and contrast the main behavioral patterns peculiar to these states and make certain conclusions. These are the level of authority, independence, and […]
Parent-Teacher Interaction Strategies Despite this fundamental importance, the reality on the ground is that these interactions are often feared by parents and educators alike due to a variety of issues that need to be understood in order to […]
Parent Interview and Infant Observation Describe your diet regimen during pregnancy The mother ensured a steady and consistent intake of a balanced diet during pregnancy. According to her, the intake of a balanced diet helped in reducing the effects and […]
“Dating and the Single Parent” by Deal Deal postulates some of the factors to consider during dating like its purpose, how to groom oneself and children, and the challenges that can be faced in the process. Pastors would provide the illustrations used […]
Designing Educational Spaces: A Birth-To-Eighteen-Year-Old Training for a Rich Parent As for the scope of the research, it will be necessary to embrace the specifics of the development of the students of specified age.
The Mothers Who Are Not Single: Striving to Avoid Poverty in Single-Parent Families In the present-day world, single-parent families are under a considerable threat due to the lack of support and the feeling of uncertainty that arises once one of the spouses leaves, whether it is due to […]
How Does the Gender of Parent Matters? In response to the controversial debate about the role of gender in parenting, this article contains a review of 81 studies that explore the role of gender in parenting.
A Dysfunctional Behavior Involving a Drunkard Parent The most immediate response to the behavior will be a positive reinforcement of classical conditioning which refers to a method of learning where the conditioned response is supposed to initiate the occurrence of an unconditioned […]
Parent Involvement Interview The teacher notes, “the Children’s daily report is effective means of communication between the class teacher and the parent because both parties must comment on a daily basis about the learner”.
Parent Involvement and Educational Outcomes The family is a moving system meaning that it copes with changes that come along, but in the process relevantly maintain a stable positive effect on the children’s academic performance.
Use of Texting in Parent and Child Relationships
Traditional Beliefs About Motherhood Were a Parent Household
What Leads a Parent to Mistreat Their Children for Attention
What Are the Problems of Growing Up in A Single-Parent Family
The Theme of Parent and Child Relationship in Wordsworth’s the Affliction of Margaret
The Role of Parent Child Bonding in Music Preference
What Are the Special Joys and Benefits of Being a Parent
Understanding Contributors to Input Informativeness for Tense Marking: Overlap among English Typology, Parent-Toddler Interaction Style, and Register
What Qualities Are Most Necessary for a Good Parent
The Role of the Parent and Government in Providing Educational Concept to Children According to the Bible
Well-Being Parent-Children Relationships
The Three Key Concepts of Sociology Applied to the Analysis of Single-Parent Families
Use of Text Messaging in Parent and Child Relationships
Value of Education From Perspectives of Parent, Teacher, Students, and History
Voting With Their Feet: Family Friendliness and Parent Employment in Australian Industries, 1981-2001
What Does a Parent Go About Choosing a Style of Discipline
What Difference Does It Make If Parent Uses Power Assertive
Vaccines, Cognitive Bias, and the Parent Pediatrician
What Makes a Perfect Parent
Why Children Object Their Divorcee or Widowed Parent to Have Sex
Triadic Co-Parenting and Dyadic Marital and Parent-Child
The Spread of Single-Parent Families in the United States Since 1960
The Strength of a Single Parent Shown in The Scarlet Letter
What Parent Characteristics Are Related to the Physical Abuse of the Children
Unconditional Love Between a Parent and Child
The Undercover Parent: Coben’s Spyware Logic
The Social Impact of Living in a Single-Parent Household on Children
The Single Parent Home: Evolution and Factors Affecting Function
The Well Being of Children Impacted by a Parent With Cancer
The Setting and Theme of The Parent Trap, a Romantic Comedy-Drama Film by Nancy Meyers
Welfare Transfers in Two-Parent Families: Labor Supply and Welfare Participation Under AFDC-UP
Transition to Parent-Child Coresidence: Parental Needs and the Strategic Bequest Motive
The Struggles of Single-Parent Households
Why Do Selection Factors for Parent Company Nationals
The Struggles of Raising Children as a Single Parent
What Are the Characteristics of a Good Parent
Vaccinations Should Be a Choice of the Parent
The Science Workshop, South Hall Middle School Parent Nights
Two-Parent Families With Children: How Effective Tax Rates Affect Work Decisions
When a Parent Refuses Medical Care for Their Children
What Is the Effect of Single Parent Households on Unhealthy Relationship Formation
What Kind of Person Is an Overambitious Parent
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IvyPanda . "98 Parent Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/parent-essay-topics/.

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128 Parent Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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As a parent, it can be challenging to come up with essay topics for your child to write about. Whether it's for a school assignment or just for fun, finding the right topic can make all the difference in sparking your child's creativity and imagination. To help you out, here are 128 parent essay topic ideas and examples that you can use to inspire your child's writing:

My Favorite Family Memory
The Best Day of My Life
If I Could Have Any Superpower, It Would Be'''
A Time When I Felt Proud of Myself
My Dream Job
A Place I Would Love to Visit
My Favorite Book
What I Want to Be When I Grow Up
The Most Important Lesson I've Learned
My Favorite Animal
A Time When I Helped Someone
If I Could Change One Thing About the World'''
My Favorite Food
The Person I Look Up To the Most
My Favorite Season
What Makes Me Happy
A Time When I Was Scared
My Favorite Movie
The Best Vacation I've Ever Been On
What I Love About My Family
A Time When I Made a Mistake
My Favorite Hobby
The Hardest Thing I've Ever Had to Do
If I Could Travel Back in Time, I Would'''
My Favorite Sport
What Makes a Good Friend
A Time When I Felt Lonely
My Favorite Subject in School
The Most Memorable Birthday I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Pet, It Would Be'''
My Favorite Color
A Time When I Felt Excited
My Favorite Song
What I Love About Myself
A Time When I Had to Be Brave
My Favorite TV Show
The Best Gift I've Ever Received
If I Could Live Anywhere in the World'''
My Favorite Holiday
What I Want to Accomplish This Year
A Time When I Felt Grateful
My Favorite Place to Relax
The Most Important Person in My Life
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself'''
My Favorite Game
What I Value Most in Life
A Time When I Overcame a Challenge
My Favorite Dessert
The Best Day of School I've Ever Had
If I Could Make a Difference in the World'''
My Favorite Cartoon Character
A Time When I Learned Something New
My Favorite Movie Character
What I Want to Learn This Year
A Time When I Helped a Friend
My Favorite School Subject
The Best Day at the Park I've Ever Had
If I Could Be Any Animal, I Would Be'''
My Favorite Seasonal Activity
What I Love About Nature
A Time When I Had to Apologize
My Favorite School Lunch
The Best Day with My Family I've Ever Had
If I Could Change the World in One Way'''
My Favorite Outdoor Activity
What I Want to Achieve in the Future
A Time When I Made a New Friend
My Favorite Restaurant
The Best Day at the Beach I've Ever Had
If I Could Live in a Different Time Period'''
My Favorite School Field Trip
What I Love About My Siblings
A Time When I Had to Stand Up for Myself
My Favorite Childhood Memory
The Best Day at the Amusement Park I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Job, I Would Be'''
My Favorite Music Genre
What I Want to Conquer This Year
A Time When I Had to Say Goodbye
My Favorite Board Game
The Best Day at the Zoo I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Talent, It Would Be'''
My Favorite Type of Weather
What I Want to Explore This Year
A Time When I Had to Make a Difficult Decision
My Favorite School Trip
The Best Day at a Museum I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Skill, It Would Be'''
My Favorite Type of Music
What I Want to Discover This Year
A Time When I Had to Choose Between Right and Wrong
My Favorite School Event
The Best Day at a Concert I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Passion, It Would Be'''
My Favorite Type of Food
What I Want to Create This Year
A Time When I Had to Face My Fears
My Favorite School Assembly
The Best Day at a Theme Park I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Dream, It Would Be'''
My Favorite Type of Drink
A Time When I Had to Make a Sacrifice
My Favorite School Play
The Best Day at a Birthday Party I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Adventure, It Would Be'''
My Favorite Type of Dessert
What I Want to Achieve This Year
A Time When I Had to Choose Between Love and Friendship
My Favorite School Dance
The Best Day at a Sleepover I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Experience, It Would Be'''
My Favorite Type of Candy
A Time When I Had to Stand Up for What I Believe In
My Favorite School Project
The Best Day at a Festival I've Ever Had
If I Could Have Any Wish, It Would Be'''
My Favorite Type of Movie
A Time When I Had to Overcome a Fear
My Favorite School Performance
The Best Day at a Fair I've Ever Had
My Favorite Type of TV Show
A Time When I Had to Make a Difficult Choice
My Favorite School Memory

These essay topics are just a starting point for your child's writing journey. Encourage them to use their creativity and imagination to make each essay unique and personal. By providing them with a wide range of topics to choose from, you can help them develop their writing skills and express their thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way. So go ahead and pick a topic from the list above, or use them as inspiration to come up with your own ideas. Happy writing!

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102 Parenting Styles Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on parenting styles, 🌶️ hot parenting styles essay topics, 🎓 most interesting parenting styles research titles, 💡 simple parenting styles essay ideas, ❓ research questions on parenting styles.

Overindulgent Parenting Style and Its Harm to Children
Parenting Styles: Indifferent, Indulgent, Authoritarian, and Authoritative
Parenting Styles’ Impact on Child’s Development
Personal Experience of Child: Parenting Styles
Types of Parenting Styles in a “Parenthood” by Howard
American and British Parenting Styles
Parenting Styles – Case Study Analysis
The Uninvolved Parenting Style and Its Effect on the Psychological Development of a Child Approaches to parenting and child care can vary significantly based on the parents’ characteristics and their preferred style.
Parenting Styles Overview and Analysis This essay aims to describe parenting styles, reflect on the impact of my family’s upbringing approaches, and discuss how I plan to raise my children.
Bullying and Parenting Styles There are many positive and negative outcomes of parenting on children. This paper aims at investigating the connection between several types of parenting and bullying behaviors.
Parenting Styles’ Impact on Children Parenting style plays a significant role in a child’s life. Each selected technique may have predetermined outcomes.
Parenting and Choice of Child-Rearing Style The child-rearing style applied to a child has an impact on the child’s growth and development. The style employed by the parents can predict the future character of the child.
Parenting Styles by Diana Baumrind This paper describes advantages and disadvantages of parenting styles generated by Diana Baumrind and its characteristics as well as the consequences for children.
Parenting Styles and Aggressive Adolescents Researchers have identified parenting styles that influence children’s growth and development. Parenting styles include authoritative, permissive, negligent, and authoritarian.
Differences in Parenting Styles in the East (China) and the West (America) The article discusses introduction in the essay “Differences in parenting styles in the East (China) and the West (America)” and argues that is short and straightforward.
Childhood Attachment and Parenting Styles In social sciences and psychology, the term emotional attachment may refer to the process of understanding the expressive closeness.
The Relationship Between Parenting Styles This paper provides an analysis of data pertaining to the relationship between parenting styles employed by a child’s parent.
Parenting Styles in Situational Examples This paper examines different situational examples related to child-parent and assesses the parenting style of each of these situations.
Parenting Styles: Infancy and Early Childhood Generally, a child’s behavior is directly linked to the parenting approach being used by the respective parent. Each technique used has a corresponding impact on the well-being.
Nature vs. Nurture Parenting Styles in Psychology This research analyzes the nature vs. nurture parenting styles and recommends the best style that must be applied to ensure children grow to be responsible adults.
Parenting Styles and Children’s Social Competence The social competence of children is usually associated with authoritative parenting of all parenting styles, in which parents balance the demands of the child and responsiveness.
Parenting Styles by Diana Baumrind Children exhibit behavioural characteristics depending on their upbringing. Diana Baumrind developed four parenting styles explaining children’s behaviour in specific situations.
Types of Parenting Styles Analysis The parents’ attitudes to their kids create a certain emotional atmosphere, which is known as a “parenting style.”
Dominant Parenting Styles: Gender-Differentiated Parenting Revisited In lower-middle-class American families, the authoritative parenting style is the most dominant. Authoritative parents impose high standards upon children.
Parenting Styles Exemplified by the Molly Family In the current essay, the abovementioned four parenting styles will be considered, and four various answers on Molly’s desired behavior will be provided.
Parenting Style and Bullying Among Children The investigation of parenting styles is highly essential to understand how they affect the bullying behavior of children to prevent it.
Authoritative Parenting in Comparison to Other Styles There are four parenting styles: authoritative, permissive, neglectful, authoritarian. If I were to have children, I would associate myself with the authoritative parenting style.
Parenting Styles: Values and Standards Transmission Numerous observations of children show that major developmental changes mostly occur during early childhood. It may be perceived by the parents in the form of imitation and observation.
Parenting Styles Researching: Analytical Techniques This paper considers the use of the observational method for analyzing video recordings depicting parent-child interaction.
Parenting Style Comparison: Positive and Negative Impacts Different parents use different styles to raise their children. These parenting styles have positive and negative impacts on the young infants and the adolescents.
African American Parenting Styles According to Social Class
Family Income, Parenting Styles and Child Behavioral: Emotional Outcomes
Differences Between Chinese and Western Parenting Styles
Parenting Styles, Prosocial, and Aggressive Behavior: The Role of Emotions in Offender and Non-offender Adolescents
Pursuing the Same Goal Through Different Parenting Styles
Authoritarian and Authoritative Parenting Styles
How Parenting Styles Affect the Psychological Growth of a Child?
Parenting Styles and the Chinese Tiger Mother: Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior
Four Basic Parenting Styles Used by the 21st-Century Parents
Parenting Styles and Their Impact on Children’s Behavior
Relationship Between Aggression and Parenting Styles
Parenting Styles and BMI: Are There Links Between the Two?
Social and Emotional Factors of Parenting Styles
Parenting Styles and Their Effect on Toddlers’ Emotional Development
Evaluating the Most Effective Parenting Styles With Children: Positive Outcomes in the Home and Classroom
Parenting Styles and Social Anxiety Among Adolescents
Parenting Styles: What They Are and Why They Matter
General Parenting Styles and Children’s Obesity Risk: Changing Focus
Different Strokes for Different Folks? Parenting Styles
How Parenting Styles Changed for Indian Immigrants?
Parenting Styles and Parent-Adolescent Relationships: The Mediating Roles of Behavioral Autonomy and Parental Authority
Authoritarian Parenting and Types of Parenting Styles
Diana Baumrind’s Parenting Styles in Psychology
Parenting Styles and Socioemotional Development in Middle
Juvenile Delinquency and Parenting Styles
Family Environment, Socio-Economic Status, and Parenting Styles
Paternal and Maternal Parenting Styles
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Harsh-Heart and Easy-Going Parenting Styles
Children and Traditional Parenting Styles
Parenting Styles Across Different Cultures
Relationships Between Parenting Styles and Risk Behaviors in Adolescent Health
Parenting Styles and Practices, and Their Impacts on Social Competence and Academic Achievement
Psychological Insights Into Parenting Styles
Different Parenting Styles and Child Rearing
Pros and Cons for Each of the Four Parenting Styles
How Parenting Styles Affect a Child’s Development?
Parenting Styles and Children’s Classroom Performance Education
Effective Parenting: Early Development, Various Parenting Styles and Discipline
Parenting Styles, Perfectionist Tendencies, and Self Criticism
Disciplining Children: Parenting Styles
School Parenting Styles: East or West
Parenting Styles and Children’s Social, Emotional, and Academic Development
How Do Different Parenting Styles Affect Child Development?
What Is the Most Important Thing to Remember When Choosing a Parenting Style?
Why Is Research on Parenting Styles Important?
What Are the Main Parenting Styles According to Diana Baumrind?
How Does Culture Affect Parenting Styles?
Are Biological Influences More Conducive to Development Than Parenting Styles?
How Does Parenting Style Shape a Child’s Future?
Which Parenting Style Is Associated With the Best Outcomes for the Child?
What Are the Features of Authoritarian Parenting Style?
Is There a Universal Best Parenting Style?
In Which Parental Style Is There an Effective Balance Between the Rights of Parents and Their Children?
What Is the Behavior of a Person With a Permissive Parenting Style?
What Is a Uninvolved Parenting Style?
What Parenting Styles Are Popular in Western Cultures?
Which Parenting Style Is Most Likely to Produce Spoiled, Self-Indulgent Children?
In Which Parental Style Do Parents Enforce Rigid Rules and Demand Strict Obedience?
What Parental Style Is Long-Term Psychological and Developmental?
Does the Parental Style Depend on Nationality?
In Which Parental Style Do Parents Control Their Children’s Behavior in a Caring, Responsive Manner?
Can Parenting Style Cause Autism?
What Parenting Style Is Associated With High Self-Esteem?
Which Parenting Style Has the Most Limitations?
Should the Government Introduce Programs for Parents to Teach Them Parenting Styles?
Which Attachment Style Would Be an Inconsistent Parenting Style?
How Do Different Parenting Styles Differ From Each Other?
What Are the Challenges in Different Parenting Styles?
What Are the Advantages of an Authoritative Parenting Style?
How Can a Parent Adapt Their Parenting Style to Meet Their Child’s Unique Needs?
How Does Social Class Influence Parenting Styles?
How Do Different Parenting Styles Balance the Needs of Parents With the Needs of Children?

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StudyCorgi. (2022, October 26). 102 Parenting Styles Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/parenting-styles-essay-topics/

"102 Parenting Styles Essay Topics." StudyCorgi , 26 Oct. 2022, studycorgi.com/ideas/parenting-styles-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . (2022) '102 Parenting Styles Essay Topics'. 26 October.

1. StudyCorgi . "102 Parenting Styles Essay Topics." October 26, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/parenting-styles-essay-topics/.

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StudyCorgi . "102 Parenting Styles Essay Topics." October 26, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/parenting-styles-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "102 Parenting Styles Essay Topics." October 26, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/parenting-styles-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Parenting Styles were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 8, 2024 .

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12 Traits Good Parents Have in Common

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Guide and Support Your Child

Encourage independence, be mindful that they are watching, avoid being mean, spiteful, or unkind, show your kids you love them, apologize for your mistakes, discipline your child effectively, see your child for who they are, keep track of your child, teach your child to be a good person, connect with your child, listen to your child.

What traits do good parents have in common? Are there certain things that some people do that make them good parents (or not good parents)?

Of course, the characteristics of a good parent aren't fixed or absolute. What may seem like good parenting to one person may not fit that definition for someone else. But generally speaking, these traits and habits can be found in parents who are practicing good parenting skills.

Every child is different and so is every parent, and every family has unique needs and circumstances. But most kids will benefit from parents who strive to provide care, attention, and unconditional love—but set expectations for behavior too.

Parents naturally want their kids to succeed and may push, prod, bribe, demand, or even threaten kids with punishment to get them to practice an instrument, excel at a sport, achieve top grades and so on. The fact is, being a strict " Tiger Mom " (or dad) isn't likely to get your child further than giving kids lots of support, and gently nudging if and when they need it.

Good parents know that it's important for kids to do things for themselves. Whether it's homework or chores or making friends , the best thing we can do as parents is get kids to a place where they can handle things on their own. However, it can be hard to tell how much we should help and how much we should let kids figure something out on their own.

As a general rule, helping your child with something is fine when you do it with the end goal of teaching them to eventually do it by themselves.

For example, it's not a good idea for parents to, say, do a child's homework for them or hover over a play date and dictate exactly what the kids will play and how. Those are definite examples of helicoptering , not helping. But if you show a child how to work out a homework problem or settle a problem with a friend in a respectful way, you're giving your child good tools for the future.

Got a piece of juicy gossip you're dying to share? Want to tell off a neighbor who did something rude or yell at a driver who cut you off? While we can't always be perfect, good parents know that kids are always learning from the examples we set. If we want our children to be kind , empathetic , and well-mannered as they grow up, we must try to be on our own best behavior and be respectful of others.

Can a parent occasionally lose their temper or yell ? Absolutely—we are human, after all. But insulting or humiliating or belittling a child are never, ever a good way to teach anything. Would you want to be treated that way?

We can all get so busy, it's easy to forget to take the time to show our kids how we feel about them. Small gestures, like writing a note for their lunchbox or sharing things about yourself with them can strengthen your connection and show your child how much you love them every day.

You probably teach your kids to own up to things they did wrong by apologizing and trying to make up for what they did. This is just as, if not more, important for parents to do themselves.

Good parents know that all parents can sometimes make mistakes, and they learn from them and show their kids how to take responsibility for their actions.

Discipline (not punishment) is not only one of the best things you can teach your kids but also a way to ensure that you are raising a child who will be happier as they grow. Why is it so important to discipline children ? Kids who are not disciplined are much more likely to be spoiled , ungrateful, greedy, and, not surprisingly, have trouble making friends and being happy later in life.

Aim to see your child for who they are, not who you're hoping they'll become. Your child may be more of a quiet reader than someone who wants to be a star on the stage or a soccer field.

It's great to encourage kids to try things that may push them out of their comfort zones. "You won't know if you like it till you really give it a try" can sometimes apply, especially to kids who are still figuring out who they are and what they want.

But it's important for parents to do a quick check and make sure they're pushing kids for the right reasons (to try it, and not because the parent wants the child to be something they're not).

Know what your child is doing and with whom. Who are your child's friends? What are the parents of the child like? Who will your child encounter when they play at the friend's house and are there guns in the home?

These and other questions to ask before a play date are not only crucial for your child's safety but also an important way for you to keep track of what your child is experiencing and encountering when they are away from you.

Teach kids to be kind, respectful toward others, be charitable, grateful for what they have, and have empathy for others. Of course, we all want our kids to strive to get good grades, win awards and accolades for music, sports, and other activities, and be successful later in life. However, who they are as a person is more important than which awards they get.

If you forget to teach them how to be good children and good people, they will be less likely to be happy and fulfilled, no matter what they achieve and how much they succeed.

Laugh together, spend time together, and connect positively every day. Whether it's playing a board game, going for a bike ride, cooking, watching a movie, or reading a book together (or reading different books side-by-side, if your child is older), good parents consciously spend time having fun and connecting with their kids in small and large ways.

Parents often spend a lot of their time with their kids talking to them rather than with them. Practice listening to your kids and really giving them your full attention (away from a computer or phone screen). You'll be surprised by how much more you feel connected to your child, and you'll likely learn about lots of things your child is thinking and feeling.

The best part: You'll be also showing your child how they can give you their undivided attention when you want to discuss something with them.

Alizadeh S, Abu Talib MB, Abdullah R, Mansor M. Relationship between parenting style and children's behavior problems . As Soc Sci . 2011;7(12):195-200. doi:10.5539/ass.v7n12p195

Moe A, Katz I, Alesi M. Scaffolding for motivation by parents, and child homework motivations and emotions: Effects of a training programme . Br J Edu Psychol . 2018;88(2):323-344. doi:10.1111/bjep.12216

Richaud MC, Mesurado B, Lemos V. Links between perception of parental actions and prosocial behavior in early adolescence . J Child Fam Stud. 2013;22(5):637-646. doi:10.1007/s10826-012-9617-x

Layous K, Nelson SK, Oberle E, Schonert-Reichl KA, Lyubomirsky S. Kindness counts: Prompting prosocial behavior in preadolescents boosts peer acceptance and well-being . PLoS ONE. 2012;7(12):e513380. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051380

By Katherine Lee Katherine Lee is a parenting writer and a former editor at Parenting and Working Mother magazines.

Parenting Essay Topics & Ideas

Argumentative Essay Topics About Parenting
Good Essay Topics About Parenting

Persuasive Essay Topics About Parenting

Interesting essay topics about parenting, informative essay topics about parenting.

Parenting Essay Topics for College Students

✒️ Argumentative Essay Topics About Parenting

“My Free-Range Parenting Manifesto” Analytical Summary
A Discussion on The Increasing Number of Single Parenting in The United States
A Prime Example of Authoritative Parenting
Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting
Adolescents’ Decision-Making and Parenting Concerns
Aspects of Parenting Infants and Toddlers Report
Association Between Parenting Style and Body Mass Index
Authoritarian vs. Permissive Parenting Styles Research
Authoritative and Permissive Parenting in the Media
Authoritative Parenting Model and Discipline
Authoritative vs Authoritarian Parenting
Bad Parenting or Child Abuse?
Behavioral Parenting Training to Treat Children With ADHD Research
Being a Father: Parenting Roles and Experiences
Cafs Summary on Parenting and Caring
Challenges of Parenting and Family Interview
Child Counseling and Parenting Problems Term
Child Parenting Guide and Challenges
Chinese Mothers and Their Incredible Parenting
Chinese Parenting Style
Chinese Parenting vs. Western Parenting
Chinese VS American Parenting
Choosing a Proper Parenting Style
Compare the poems for childhood and parenting

✨ Best parenting Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

Equal Responsibility in parenting – In raising a child, both parents should share equal responsibility. From the start of humanity, it has always been thought that women should take care of the children while the men were the breadwinners. However, things have changed now and both ….
Parenting Styles in Different Ethic Groups The United States has always been considered a melting pot and because of all the cultural diversity there exist many different beliefs and values about raising our children. The three major ethnic groups in the United States today are African ….
Single Parenting in the United States Single parenting in the United States has been a serious issue for many decades. Having your own family is a beautiful thing, but raising your children on your own is very different. Single parenting is usually referred to a parent who has most of ….
Perceived Parenting Style and Narcissism among Emerging Adults Emerging adult includes individuals falling within the age range of 18-29 years old, typically characterized by the developmental period of young adults with instable self-concept,discovering their identity and their potentials to explore newer ….
Child Care Vs Parenting Daycare has become a contention because of the great measure of advantages and disadvantages that it involves. While a really big figure of parents have to trust on kid attention centres because of calling aspirations or fiscal demands that merely ….
Which Parenting Style Is Preferred By Child Psychologists? Parenting styles vary in two dimensions; level of control and the level of warmth and support. The first parenting style is authoritarian. This style is characterized by high level of control, shown through anger, and low level of support. These ….
Permissive Parenting Style Definition All parents have their own ideas on how children should be raised. Some of these parenting styles can have negative repercussions; while others will mold their children to be successful in the future. I have chosen to break them down to three basic ….
Children Raised With An Authoritarian Style Of Parenting Are Often Pa renting style is a psychological construct representing standard strategies that parents use in their child rearing. There are many differing theories and opinions on the best ways to rear children, as well as differing levels of time and effort ….
The Four Dimensions Of Parenting Style Are Warmth, Discipline, Communication, And: Parenting Styles There are four different parenting styles, each of which with their very own interesting description. The four include, Authoritarian, Permissive, Authoritative, and Neglectful or the “Uninvolved”. A young woman by the name of Danna ….
Reflection Paper on Parenting Principles “What makes an effective parent? ” “How can one be effective in his or her parenting? ” Answers to these questions are very much needed by a father or a mother who truly loves his or her children and has deep concern for them. These are simple ….
Parenting Styles Have a Large Role in Child Growth Many adults are taught that a child growing needs guidance and to be taken care of. This is the idea that there is a direct relevance between one’s youth and future life. Studies have shown that children’s mental health is an effect on the parent’s ….
Helicopter Parenting In the article titled “A Generation Tethered to their Helicopter Parents” the author lays out a strong argument as to why parents should allow their children to grow up and make their own decisions. Although many parents want the best for their ….
Parenting Styles influence Academic Achievement Parents are the primary persons who are responsible to teach good values and behavior in children. Parents have different methods on how to transmit their values, skills, behavior, and attitudes to their children. Most parents want their children to ….
School Parenting Styles: East or West? While eastern parents are stricter and demanding, western parents are more flexible, nurturing, and more tolerant. Amy Chug’s article “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior’ and Hanna Rosin’s counter-article “Mother Inferior’ explore three basic concepts ….
Procrastination and Authoritative Parenting Style It’s midnight. and the final essay is due the next morning. Surrounded by printouts, notes, and books, he types frantically. Two weeks ago, it seemed that there was plenty of time to get the paper done. Last week, a sick child made it hard to study. ….
Effects of Different Parenting Styles Spankings are frequent and parents usually tend to show rage towards the child (Contracts, 2013, p. 300). Children with authoritarian parents are often unhappy, lack confidence, have weak communication skills, and have less social ability. The ….
Parenting Styles Have an Effect on Children The parenting style a parent decides to use to discipline the children can have either a positive or negative effect on the children. In the story The Ditchdigger’s Daughter by Yvonne S. Thornton, Thornton tells the story of how her parents parented ….
Harriet the Spy Parenting Styles These parents are obedience- and status-oriented, and expect their orders to be obeyed without explanation. Little Harriet is leaving the cognitive developmental stage that is called “concrete operational stage”. The concrete operational stage ….
Various Parenting Styles Parenting Styles Abstract This paper analyzes various parenting styles based on research by developmental professionals. The four basic patterns of behavior discussed here are authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful and indulgent parenting with the ….

✍ Good Essay Topics About Parenting

Comparison Parenting between Asian Parents and Western Parents Research
Contemporary Research on Parenting
Critical Issues in Education: Parenting and its Implication on Student’s Achievement Research
Cross-Cultural Research on Parenting – Psychology
Cybernetics and Parenting Styles in Family Therapy
Did The Children Of Yesterdays Generation Get Better Parenting Then Todays Children Are Getting
Different Parenting Styles
Different Parenting Styles in Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
Different Parenting Styles on Children
Different Parenting Styles Research
Difficulties of Parenting
Education Issues in Parenting
Effective Parenting Styles
Effective Parenting Techniques
Effects and Effectiveness of Authoritarian Parenting
Family Systems Theory: Parenting and Family Diversity Issues
Family, Marriage, and Parenting Concepts Nowadays
Faulkner’s and Morrison’s Notions of Parenting
First Time Parenting
Four Styles of Parenting Annotated Bibliography
Frankenstein: The Role of Parenting in The Novel
Gay Marriage and Parenting Research
Gender Stereotypes in Parenting and Family
Gender-Schema and Social Cognitive Theory in Parenting Styles Report
Group Therapy for Pregnant and Parenting Teenagers Proposal
Harmful Effects of Authoritarian and Permissive Parenting Styles
Harsh parenting in relation to child emotion regulation and aggression. Proposal
How Different Parenting Styles Affect Children?
How does Atticus Finch show good parenting in To Kill a Mockingbird?
How Parenting Styles Effects On A child
How We Need Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver and The Breakfast Club by John Hughes Explore The Nature of Parenting
I Change My Parenting Plan to Include Summer Vacation for my School-Aged Children
Identifying How Parenting Styles Affect Emerging Adults
Impact of Parenting Style on Adolescent Development
Importance of Parenting Concepts Classification
Information On Positive Parenting Strategies Education
Is Gay Parenting Bad for the Kids?
John B Watson’s Behavioral Parenting
Juvenile Crime and Parenting Education
Literature Review on School-aged Children, Parenting Behavior, and Obesity
Literature Review- Parenting Styles and Child Development
Mandatory Child Development and Parenting Classes
Marital Quality and Parenting
Mate Selection and Parenting in Early Adulthood
Mating and Parenting of Wolves, Comparison of Human Behaviours and Wolf Behaviours
Mrs. and Mr. Bennet : Parenting in Pride and Prejudice
Negative Effects of Over Parenting on Children and Young Adults
Nuclear Family vs Single Parenting Effects on Child Research
Parenting According to Erickson’s Psychosocial Theory
Parenting and Its Major Styles
Parenting and Juvenile Delinquency
Parenting and Modernization on The Background of The Modern Society
Parenting and Poetic Technique in “My Father’s Song” by Simon J. Ortiz and “Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
Parenting As An Important Role
Parenting Behaviors Throughout Child’s Life
Parenting Children With Learning Disabilities Research
Parenting Education Programs: Pros and Cons
Parenting Essay Examples and Topics
Parenting for Healthy Emotional Development
Parenting in “Hey, Kiddo” by Jarrett J. Krosoczka Research
Parenting in a Gendered Way: Main Idea of Gender and Parenting
Parenting in A Straight Bat
Parenting in Battered Women: The Effects of Domestic Violence
Parenting In Pride and Prejudice
Parenting is an absolute miracle but
Parenting Methods: Pros and Challenges Essay (Critical Writing)
Parenting Skills 5.09
Parenting Skills: Questions
Parenting Strategies for Early Childhood Development
Parenting Style and the Development
Parenting Style in Japan and USA Research
Parenting Styles and Academic Motivation Case Study
Parenting Styles and Authority Problems
Parenting Styles and Culture
Parenting Styles and Discipline
Parenting Styles and How They May Affect a Child’s Development
Parenting Styles and Outcomes
Parenting Styles And Their Effect On Children Behavior Education
Parenting Styles and Their Impact on Child Development
Parenting Styles Concept Comprehensive Study Research
Parenting Styles Critical
Parenting Styles in Different Cultures
Parenting Styles in the Family Crucible
Parenting Styles of Young Adults Research
Parenting Styles Theory by Diana Baumrind
Parenting Styles: 3 Different Styles
Parenting Styles: Advantages and Disadvantages
Parenting Styles: China vs. North America Term
Parenting Teenage Boys and Education
Parenting the Father
Parenting Topic in Developmental Psychology Research
Parenting Training Classes: A Psychology Experiment Research
Parenting Variables in Antenatal Education Quantitative Research
Personal Experience of Parenting Disabled Kids
Personal Reflection on Parenting
Pilgrims and Puritanism Parenting

⭐ Parenting Essay Topics for College Students

Principles of Parenting in Psychology
Reflective Entry of “Trauma Through a Child’s Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing Children, Parenting and the Family Series” and “Udaan”
Reflective The Effects of an Authoritative Parenting Style
Review on Parenting
Schizophrenia and Depressed Mothers: Relational Deficits in Parenting
Single Parenting Stigma
Single Parenting vs Nuclear Parenting
Sole parenting vs two parents
South Park, an American Animation Series’ Depiction of The Irrationality Surrounding Aggressive Parenting Skills
Spoiled Children and Parenting Mistakes
STUDENTS’ PERSONALITY TRAITS AND PARENTING REARING STYLES AS PREDICTORS OF CAREER CHOICE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN.
Styles of Parenting As a Psychological Strategies
Summary of The Structural Relationships of Parenting Style
The Authoritarian Parenting Style: What Does It Look Like?
The Chinese Parenting
The Consequences of Single Parenting
The Controversy Between Parenting Styles: Chinese and Western Parents
The Correlation Between Cyberbullying and Parenting Style, The Gender Differences in Cyberbullying
The Different Parenting Styles of Chinese Parents and Its Influence on The Chioldren in Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
The Discussion Around Same-Sex Parenting
The Effect of a Parenting Style on The Development of a Child as Illustrated in “The Glass Castle”
The Effect of Parenting Styles on Social and Emotional Development in Adolescents
The Effects of Authoritative Parenting on My Personal Growth
The Effects Of Parenting On Education In Lilongwe Education

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What is Positive Parenting? 33 Examples and Benefits

And while most of us strive to be great parents, we may also find ourselves confused and frustrated by the seemingly endless challenges of parenthood.

As both parents of toddlers and teenagers can attest, such challenges are evident across all developmental stages.

But there is good news— numerous research-supported tools and strategies are now available for parents. These resources provide a wealth of information for common parenting challenges (i.e., bedtime issues, picky eating, tantrums, behavior problems, risk-taking, etc.); as well as the various learning lessons that are simply part of growing up (i.e., starting school, being respectful, making friends, being responsible, making good choices, etc.).

With its focus on happiness, resilience and positive youth development ; the field of positive psychology is particularly pertinent to discussions of effective parenting. Thus, whether you are a parent who’s trying to dodge potential problems; or you are already pulling your hair out— you’ve come to the right place.

This article provides a highly comprehensive compilation of evidence-based positive parenting techniques. These ideas and strategies will cover a range of developmental periods, challenges, and situations. More specifically, drawing from a rich and robust collection of research, we will address exactly what positive parenting means; its many benefits; when and how to use it; and its usefulness for specific issues and age-groups.

This article also contains many useful examples, positive parenting tips, activities, programs, videos, books , podcasts – and so much more. By learning from and applying these positive parenting resources; parents will become the kind of parents they’ve always wanted to be: Confident, Optimistic, and even Joyful.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Relationships Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients build healthy, life-enriching relationships.

This Article Contains:

What is positive parenting, a look at the research, how can it encourage personal development and self growth in a child, how old must the child be, what are the benefits, 12 examples of positive parenting in action, positive parenting styles, a look at positive discipline, positive parenting with toddlers and preschoolers, how to best address sibling rivalry, positive parenting with teenagers, positive parenting through divorce, a take-home message.

Before providing a definition of positive parenting, let’s take a step back and consider what we mean by “parents.” While a great deal of parenting research has focused on the role of mothers; children’s psychosocial well-being is influenced by all individuals involved in their upbringing.

Such caregivers might include biological and adoptive parents, foster parents, single parents, step-parents, older siblings, and other relatives and non-relatives who play a meaningful role in a child’s life. In other words, the term “parent” applies to an array of individuals whose presence impacts the health and well-being of children (Juffer, Bakermans-Kranenburg & van Ijzendoorn, 2008).

Thus, any time the terms “parent” or “caregiver” are used herein; they apply to any individuals who share a consistent relationship with a child, as well as an interest in his/her well-being (Seay, Freysteinson & McFarlane, 2014).

Fortunately, parenting research has moved away from a deficit or risk factor model towards a more positive focus on predictors of positive outcomes (e.g., protective factors ). Positive parenting exemplifies this approach by seeking to promote the parenting behaviors that are most essential for fostering positive youth development (Rodrigo, Almeida, Spiel, & Koops, 2012).

Several researchers have proposed definitions of positive parenting, such as Seay and colleagues (2014), who reviewed 120 pertinent articles. They came up with the following universal definition:

Positive parenting is the continual relationship of a parent(s) and a child or children that includes caring, teaching, leading, communicating, and providing for the needs of a child consistently and unconditionally.

(Seay et al., 2014, p. 207).

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (2006) similarly defined positive parenting as “ … nurturing, empowering, nonviolent… ” and which “ provides recognition and guidance which involves setting of boundaries to enable the full development of the child ’’ (in Rodrigo et al., 2012, p. 4). These definitions, combined with the positive parenting literature, suggest the following about positive parenting:

It involves Guiding
It involves Leading
It involves Teaching
It is Caring
It is Empowering
It is Nurturing
It is Sensitive to the Child’s Needs
It is Consistent
It is Always Non-violent
It provides Regular Open Communication
It provides Affection
It provides Emotional Security
It provides Emotional Warmth
It provides Unconditional Love
It recognizes the Positive
It respects the Child’s Developmental Stage
It rewards Accomplishments
It sets Boundaries
It shows Empathy for the Child’s Feelings
It supports the Child’s Best Interests

Along with these qualities, Godfrey (2019) proposes that the underlying assumption of positive parenting is that “… all children are born good, are altruistic and desire to do the right thing …” (positiveparenting.com).

Godfrey further adds that the objective of positive parenting is to teach discipline in a way that builds a child’s self-esteem and supports a mutually respectful parent-child relationship without breaking the child’s spirit (2019). These authors reveal an overall picture of positive parenting as warm, thoughtful and loving— but not permissive.

There is plenty of research supporting the short- and long-term effects of positive parenting on adaptive child outcomes. To begin with, work by the Positive Parenting Research Team ( PPRT ) from the University of Southern Mississippi (Nicholson, 2019) is involved in various studies aimed at examining the impact of positive parenting.

The following are included among the team’s research topics:
Relationships between positive parenting and academic success;
Positive parenting as a predictor of protective behavioral strategies;
Parenting style and emotional health; maternal hardiness, coping and social support in parents of chronically ill children, etc.

The PPRT ultimately seeks to promote positive parenting behaviors within families.

In their seven-year longitudinal study; Pettit, Bates and Dodge (1997) examined the influence of supportive parenting among parents of pre-kindergartners. Supportive parenting was defined as involving mother‐to‐child warmth, proactive teaching, inductive discipline, and positive involvement. Researchers contrasted this parenting approach with a less supportive, more harsh parenting style.

Supportive parenting was associated with more positive school adjustment and fewer behavior problems when the children were in sixth grade. Moreover, supportive parenting actually mitigated the negative impact of familial risk factors (i.e., socioeconomic disadvantage, family stress, and single parenthood) on children’s subsequent behavioral problems (Pettit et al., 2006).

Researchers at the Gottman Institute also investigated the impact of positive parenting by developing a 5-step ‘emotion coaching’ program designed to build children’s confidence and to promote healthy intellectual and psychosocial growth.

Gottman’s five steps for parents include:

awareness of emotions;
connecting with your child;
listening to your child;
naming emotions; and
finding solutions (Gottman, 2019).

Gottman has reported that children of “emotional coaches” benefit from a more a positive developmental trajectory relative to kids without emotional coaches. Moreover, an evaluation of emotional coaching by Bath Spa University found several positive outcomes for families trained in emotional coachings, such as parental reports of a 79% improvement in children’s positive behaviors and well-being (Bath Spa University, 2016).

Overall, research has indicated that positive parenting is related to various aspects of healthy child development (many more examples of evidence supporting the benefits are positive parenting are described further in this article). Such outcomes are neither fleeting nor temporary; and will continue well beyond childhood.

Another way of thinking about the role of positive parenting is in terms of resilience. When children—including those who begin life with significant disadvantages— experience positive and supportive parenting, they are far more likely to thrive.

It is in this way that positive parenting minimizes health and opportunity disparities by armoring children with large stores of emotional resilience (Brooks, 2005; Brooks & Goldstein, 2001). And since we know positive parenting works; what parent wouldn’t want to learn how to use it and thereby give his/her child the best shot at a healthy and happy life?

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There are various mechanisms through which positive parenting promotes a child’s prosocial development.

For example, Eisenberg, Zhou, and Spinrad et al. (2005) suggest that positive parenting impacts children’s temperament by enhancing emotion regulation (e.g., “effortful control” enabling children to focus attention in a way that promotes emotion modulation and expression).

The authors reported a significant link between parental warmth and positive expressivity on children’s long-term emotion regulation. This ability to use effortful control was found to predict reduced externalizing problems years later when children were adolescents (Eisenbert et al., 2005).

Along with emotion regulation, there are many other ways in which positive parenting encourages a child’s positive development and self-growth.

Here are some examples:

Teaching and leading promote children’s confidence and provides them with the tools needed to make good choices.
Positive communication promotes children’s social and problem-solving skills while enhancing relationship quality with caregivers and peers.
Warm and democratic parenting enhances children’s self-esteem and confidence.
Parental supervision promotes prosocial peer bonding and positive youth outcomes.
Autonomy-promoting parenting supports creativity, empowerment, and self-determination.
Supportive and optimistic parenting fosters children’s belief in themselves and the future.
Providing recognition for desirable behaviors increases children’s self-efficacy and the likelihood of engaging in prosocial, healthy behaviors.
Providing boundaries and consequences teaches children accountability and responsibility.

Generally speaking, there are many aspects of positive parenting that nurture children’s self-esteem; creativity; belief in the future; ability to get along with others; and sense of mastery over their environment.

Warm, loving and supportive parents feed a child’s inner spirit while empowering him/her with the knowledge and tools necessary to approach life as a fully capable individual.

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The need for positive parenting begins – well, at the beginning. The attachment literature has consistently indicated that babies under one year of age benefit from positive parenting. More specifically, a secure attachment between infants and mothers is related to numerous positive developmental outcomes (i.e., self-esteem, trust, social competence, etc.; Juffer, Bakermans-Kranenburg & van Ijzendoorn, 2008).

The quality of the mother-child attachment is believed to be a function of parental sensitivity (e.g., mothers who accurately perceive and quickly respond to their babies’ needs; Juffer et al., 2008)— which is certainly a key indicator of positive parenting practices in their earliest form.

Not only is a secure mother-child attachment related to early positive developmental outcomes, but more recent attachment research also indicates long-term increases in social self-efficacy among girls with secure attachments to their fathers (Coleman, 2003).

There are even ways in which positive parenting benefits a child or family as soon as the parents learn of a pregnancy or adoption (i.e., see the subsequent ‘sibling rivalry’ section). Therefore, it cannot be stressed enough: Positive parenting begins as early as possible.

There is empirical evidence for numerous benefits of positive parenting, which cover all developmental stages from infancy to late adolescence. The following table provides a list of many such examples:

The evidence clearly supports a relationship between positive parenting approaches and a large variety of prosocial parent and child outcomes. Therefore, practitioners have developed and implemented a range of programs aimed at promoting positive parenting practices.

Here are some noteworthy examples; including those which target specific risk factors, as well as those with a more preventative focus:

Parent’s Circle program (Pearson & Anderson, 2001): Recognizing that positive parenting begins EARLY, this program helped parents of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit to enhance their parenting skills in order to better parent their fragile newborns.
The Home Visiting Program (Ammaniti, Speranza, & Tambelli, et al., 2006): Also focused on babies, this program aimed to increase parental sensitivity in order to improve secure mother-infant attachments. In doing so, psychologists visited high-risk mothers at their homes in order to improve parental sensitivity to their infants’ signals.
The Early Head Start Home-based Program (Roggman, Boyce, & Cook, 2009): This home-based program also focused on promoting parent-child attachment. Parents in semirural areas received weekly home-based visits from a family educator who taught them positive strategies aimed at promoting healthy parent-child interactions and engagement in children’s activities.
American Psychological Association’s ACT Raising Safe Kids (RSK) program (Knox, Burkhard, & Cromly, 2013): The goal of this program was to improve parents’ positive parenting knowledge and skills by teaching nonviolent discipline, anger management, social problem‐solving skills, and other techniques intended to protect children from aggression and violence.
New Beginnings Program (Wolchik, Sandler, Weiss, & Winslow, 2007): This empirically-based 10-session program was designed to teach positive parenting skills to families experiencing divorce or separation. Parents learned how to nurture positive and warm relationships with kids, use effective discipline, and protect their children from divorce-related conflict. The underlying goal of the New Beginnings Program was to promote child resilience during this difficult time.
Family Bereavement Program (Sandler, Wolchik, Ayers, Tein, & Luecken, 2013): This intervention was aimed at promoting resilience in parents and children experiencing extreme adversity: The death of a parent. This 10-meeting supportive group environment helped bereaved parents learn a number of resilience-promoting parenting skills (i.e., active listening, using effective rules, supporting children’s coping, strengthening family bonds, and using adequate self-care).
The Positive Parent (Suárez, Rodríguez, & López, 2016): This Spanish online program was aimed at enhancing positive parenting by helping parents to learn about child development and alternative child-rearing techniques; to become more aware, creative and independent in terms of parenting practices; to establish supportive connections with other parents; and to feel more competent and satisfied with their parenting.
Healthy Families Alaska Programs (Calderaa, Burrellb, & Rodriguez, 2007): The objective of this home visiting program was to promote positive parenting and healthy child development outcomes in Alaska. Paraprofessionals worked with parents to improve positive parenting attitudes, parent-child interactions, child development knowledge, and home environment quality.
The Strengthening Families Program (Kumpfer & Alvarado, 1998): This primary prevention program has been widely used to teach parents a large array of positive parenting practices. Following family systems and cognitive-behavioral philosophies, the program has taught parenting skills such as engagement in positive interactions with children, positive communication, effective discipline, rewarding positive behaviors, and the use of family meetings to promote organization. The program’s overall goal was to enhance child and family protective factors; to promote children’s resilience, and to improve children’s social and life skills.
Incredible Years Program (Webster-Stratton& Reid, 2013): This program refers to a widely implemented and evaluated group-based intervention designed to reduce emotional problems and aggression among children, and to improve their social and emotional competence. Parent groups received 12-20 weekly group sessions focused on nurturing relationships, using positive discipline, promoting school readiness and academic skills, reducing conduct problems, and increasing other aspects of children’s healthy psychosocial development. This program has also been used for children with ADHD.
Evidence-based Positive Parenting Programs Implemented in Spain (Ministers of the Council of Europe, in Rodrigo et al., 2012): In a special issue of Psychosocial Intervention, multiple evaluation studies of positive parenting programs delivered across Spain are presented. Among the programs included are those delivered in groups, at home, and online; each of which is aimed at positive parenting support services. This issue provides an informative resource for understanding which parents most benefited from various types of evidence-based programs aimed at promoting positive parenting among parents attending family support services.
Triple P Positive Parenting Program (Sanders, 2008): This program, which will be described in more detail in a subsequent post, is a highly comprehensive parenting program with the objective of providing parents of high-risk children with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to promote healthy psychological health and adjustment in their children. While these programs are multifaceted, an overarching focus of the Triple P programs is to improve children’s self-regulation.

A reoccurring theme in the positive parenting literature is that a warm, yet firm parenting style is linked to numerous positive youth outcomes. This style is termed ‘authoritative’ and it is conceptualized as a parenting approach that includes a good balance of the following parenting qualities: assertive, but not intrusive; demanding, but responsive; supportive in terms of discipline, but not punitive (Baumrind, 1991).

Along with an authoritative parenting style, a developmental parenting style is also believed to support positive child outcomes (Roggman et al., 2008).

Developmental parenting is a positive parenting style that promotes positive child development by providing affection (i.e., through positive expressions of warmth toward the child); responsiveness (i.e., by attending to a child’s cues); encouragement (i.e., by supporting a child’s capabilities and interests); and teaching (i.e., by using play and conversation to support a child’s cognitive development (Roggman & Innocenti, 2009).

Developmental parenting clearly shares several commonalities with authoritative parenting, and both represent positive parenting approaches.

Overall, by taking a good look at positive parenting strategies that work for raising healthy, happy kids; it is evident that positive parenting styles encourage a child’s autonomy by:

Supporting exploration and involvement in decision-making
Paying attention and responding to a child’s needs
Using effective communication
Attending to a child’s emotional expression and control
Rewarding and encouraging positive behaviors
Providing clear rules and expectations
Applying consistent consequences for behaviors
Providing adequate supervision and monitoring
Acting as a positive role model
Making positive family experiences a priority

In a nutshell, positive parents support a child’s healthy growth and inner spirit by being loving, supportive, firm, consistent, and involved. Such parents go beyond communicating their expectations, but practice what they preach by being positive role models for their children to emulate.

4 Things you must say to your kids daily – Live on Purpose TV

The term ‘discipline’ often has a negative, purely punitive connotation. However, ‘discipline’ is actually defined as “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character” (Merriam-Webster, 2019).

This definition is instructive, as it reminds us that as parents, we are not disciplinarians, but rather teachers. And as our children’s teachers, our goal is to respectfully show them choices for behaviors and to positively reinforce adaptive behaviors.

Positive discipline again harkens back to authoritative parenting because it should be administered in a way that is firm and loving at the same time. Importantly, positive discipline is never violent, aggressive or critical; it is not punitive.

Relevant: Examples of Positive Punishment & Negative Reinforcement

Physical punishment (i.e., spanking) is ineffective for changing behaviors in the long-term and has a number of detrimental consequences on children (Gershoff, 2013). Indeed, the objective of positive discipline is to “teach and train. Punishment (inflicting pain/purposeful injury) is unnecessary and counter-productive” (Kersey, 2006, p. 1).

Nelsen (2006) describes a sense of belonging as a primary goal of all people; a goal that is not achieved through punishment. In fact, she describes the four negative consequences of punishment on children (e.g., “the four R’s”) as resentment toward parents; revenge that may be plotted in order to get back at parents; rebellion against parents, such as through even more excessive behaviors; and retreat, that may involve becoming sneaky and/or experiencing a loss of self-esteem (Nelsen, 2006).

She provides the following five criteria for positive discipline (which are available on her positive discipline website ):

Is both kind and firm
Promotes a child’s sense of belonging and significance
Works long-term (note: punishment may have an immediate impact, but this is short-lived)
Teaches valuable social and life skills (i.e., problem-solving, social skills, self-soothing, etc.)
Helps children develop a sense that they are capable individuals

In her comprehensive and helpful book for parents: Positive Discipline , Nelsen (2006) also describes a number of key aspects of positive discipline, such as being non-violent, respectful, and grounded in developmental principles; teaching children self-respect, empathy, and self-efficacy; and promoting a positive relationship between parent and child.

Stated another way, “ respecting children teaches them that even the smallest, most powerless, most vulnerable person deserves respect, and that is a lesson our world desperately needs to learn ” (LR Knost, lovelivegrow.com).

Since we know that positive discipline does not involve the use of punishment; the next obvious questions become “Just what exactly does it involve?”

This question is undoubtedly urgent for parents who feel like their child is working diligently toward driving them mad. While we will discuss some of the more typical frustrations that parents regularly encounter later in the article, Kersey (2006) provides parents with a wonderful and comprehensive resource in her publication entitled “101 positive principles of discipline.”

Here are her top ten principles:

Demonstrate Respect Principle : Treat the child in the same respectful way you would like to be treated.
Make a Big Deal Principle : Use positive reinforcement in meaningful ways for desired behaviors. Reward such behaviors with praise, affection, appreciation, privileges, etc.
Incompatible Alternative Principle : Provide the child with a behavior to substitute for the undesirable one, such as playing a game rather than watching tv.
Choice Principle : Provide the child with two choices for positive behaviors so that he/she feels a sense of empowerment. For example, you might say “would you rather take your bath before or after your brush your teeth?”
When/Then – Abuse it/Lose it Principle : Ensure that rewards are lost when rules are broken. For example, you might say “After you clean your room, you can play outside” (which means that a child who does not clean his/her room, will not get to play outside. Period.)
Connect Before You Correct Principle : Ensure that the child feels loved and cared for before behavioral problems are attended to.
Validation Principle : Validate the child’s feelings. For example, you might say “I know you are sad about losing your sleepover tonight and I understand”.
Good Head on Your Shoulders Principle : Ensure that the child hears the equivalent of “you have a good head on your shoulders” in order to feel capable, empowered and responsible for his/her choices. This is especially important for teenagers.
Belonging and Significance Principle : Ensure that your child feels important and as if he/she belongs. For example, remind your child that he/she is really good at helping in the kitchen and that the family needs this help in order to have dinner.
Timer Says it’s Time Principle : Set a timer to help children make transitions. This helps kids to know what’s expected of them and may also involve giving them a choice in terms of the amount of time. For example, you might say “Do you need 15 or 20 minutes to get dressed?” Make sure to let the child know that the time is set.

The reader is encouraged to check-out Kersey’s 101 positive discipline principles, as they contain an enormous amount of useful and effective approaches for parents; along with principles that reflect many everyday examples (e.g., Babysitter Principle; Apology Principle; Have Fun Together Principle; Talk About Them Positively to Others Principle; Whisper Principle; Write a Contract Principle; and so much more).

This section has provided many helpful positive discipline ideas for a myriad of parenting situations and challenges. Positive discipline (which will be expounded on later sections of in the article: i.e., ‘positive parenting with toddlers and preschoolers,’ ‘temper tantrums,’ ‘techniques to use at bedtime,’ etc.) is an effective discipline approach that promotes loving parent-child relationships, as well as producing productive, respectful, and happy children.

The notion of parenting a toddler can frighten even the most tough-minded among us. This probably isn’t helped by terms such as ‘terrible two’s,’ and jokes like “ Having a two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it ” (Jerry Seinfeld, goodreads.com).

Sure, toddlers and preschoolers get a bad rap; but they do sometimes seem like tiny drunken creatures who topple everything in their path. Not to mention their tremendous noise and energy, mood swings, and growing need for independence.

While their lack of coordination and communication skills can be endearing and often hilarious; they are also quite capable of leaving their parents in a frenzied state of frustration. For example, let’s consider the situation below.

The Grocery Store Blow-out

In this relatable example, a dad and his cranky 3-year-old find themselves in a long line at a grocery store. The child decides she’s had enough shopping and proceeds to throw each item out of the cart while emitting a blood-curdling scream.

The father, who may really need to get the shopping done, is likely to shrivel and turn crimson as his fellow shoppers glare and whisper about his “obnoxious child” or “bad parenting.” He, of course, tells her to stop; perhaps by asking her nicely, or trying to reason with her.

When this doesn’t’ work, he might switch his method to commanding, pleading, threatening, negotiating, or anything else he can think of in his desperation. But she is out of control and beyond reason. The father wants an immediate end to the humiliation; but he may not realize that some quick fixes intended to placate his child, will only make his life worse in the long run.

So, what is he to do?

Before going into specific solutions for this situation, it is essential that parents understand this developmental stage. There are reasons for the child’s aggravating behaviors; reasons that are biologically programmed to ensure survival.

For example, kids aged two-to-three are beginning to understand that there are a lot of things that seem scary in the world. As such, they may become anxious about a variety of situations; like strangers, bad dreams, extreme weather, creepy images, doctor and dentist offices, monsters, certain animals, slivers or other minor medical issues, etc.

While these childhood fears make life more difficult for parents (i.e., when a child won’t stay in his/her room at night due to monsters and darkness, or when a child makes an enormous fuss when left with a babysitter), they are actually an indicator of maturity (Durant, 2016).

The child is reacting in a way that supports positive development by fearing and avoiding perceived dangers. While fear of monsters does not reflect a truly dangerous situation, avoidance of individuals who appear mean or aggressive is certainly in the child’s best interest.

Similarly, fear of strangers is an innate protective mechanism that prompts children to stay close to those adults who keep them healthy and safe. And some strangers indeed should be feared. Although a challenge for parents, young children who overestimate dangers with consistent false-positives are employing their survival instincts.

In her book Positive Discipline (which is free online and includes worksheets for parents), Durant (2016) notes the importance of respecting a child’s fears and not punishing her/him for them, as well as talking to the child in a way that shows empathy and helps him/her to verbalize feelings. Durant proposes that one of the keys of effective discipline is “… to see short-term challenges as opportunities to work toward your long-term goals” (2016, p. 21).

With this objective in mind, any steps a parent takes when dealing with a frightened or misbehaving child should always be taken with consideration of their potential long-term impact. Long-term goals, which Durant describes as “the heart of parenting” may be hard to think about when a child is challenging and a frustrated parent simply wants the behavior to stop.

However, punishing types of behaviors such as yelling, are not likely to be in-line with long-term parenting goals. By visualizing their preschooler as a high school student or even an adult, it can help parents to ensure that their immediate responses are in-line with the kind, peaceful and responsible person they wish to see in 15 years or so. Durant (2016) provides several examples of long-term parenting goals, such as:

Maintaining a quality relationship with the parent
Taking responsibility for actions
Being respectful of others
Knowing right from wrong
Making wise decisions
Being honest, loyal and trustworthy

Related: Examples of Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom

Grocery Store Blow-out Solutions

Long-term parenting goals are highly relevant to the maddening grocery store example. If the dad only thinks about the short-term goal of making his daughter’s behavior stop embarrassing him at the store, he might decide to tell her she can have a candy bar if she is quiet and stops throwing items from the cart.

This way, he might reason, he can finish his shopping quickly and without humiliation. Sure, this might work as far as getting the child to behave on that day— at that moment; BUT here are some likely consequences:

Next time they go shopping, she will do this again in order to receive the candy reward.
Pretty much every time they go shopping, she will do the same thing; and the value of the reward is likely to escalate as she gets tired of the candy.
She will learn that this behavior can get her rewards in all sorts of places beyond the grocery store, thus making her exhausted parents afraid to take her anywhere.

Moreover, the message she receives from the candy tactic will not reinforce the qualities the father likely wants to see in his daughter over time, such as:

Being respectful of her parents
Being respectful of others around her
Being respectful of others’ property
Being responsible for her behavior
Being courteous and considerate
Being helpful
Having good manners
Having good social skills

Therefore, the father might instead deal with this situation by calmly telling her that she needs to stop or she will get a time-out. The time-out can take place somewhere in the store that is not reinforcing for her, such as a quiet corner with no people around (e.g., no audience). Or they can go sit in the car.

If the store is especially crowded, the dad might also ask the clerk to place his cart in a safe place and/or save his place in line until he returns (which he/she will likely be inclined to do if it will get the child to be quiet). After a brief time-out, he should give his daughter a hug and let her know the rules for the remainder of the shopping trip, as well as the consequences of not following them.

In some cases, it might be better for the parent to simply leave the store without the groceries and go home. He won’t have completed his shopping, but that will be a small price for having a child who learns a good lesson on how to behave.

Very importantly, however; if he does take her home, this absolutely cannot be done in a way that is rewarding (i.e., she gets to go home and play, watch tv, or anything else she enjoys). She will need a time-out immediately upon arriving home, as well as perhaps the message that dinner won’t be her favorite tonight since the shopping was not done.

This is not meant to be punitive or sarcastic, more of a natural consequence for her to learn from (e.g., “If I act-out at the store, we won’t have my favorite foods in the house”). In fact, even though he may not feel like it, the father needs to speak to his daughter in a kind and loving way.

Regardless of whether the consequence is in the store or at home, the dad absolutely must follow-through consistently. If he doesn’t, he will teach her that sometimes she can misbehave and still get what she wants; this is a pattern of reinforcement that is really difficult to break.

Of course, the father cannot leave the store each time she misbehaves, as he won’t get anything done and he’s also giving her too much control. Thus, he should prepare in advance for future shopping trips by making her aware of the shopping rules, expectations for her behavior, and the consequences if she breaks them.

The father should be specific about such things, as “I expect you to be good at the store” is not clear. Saying something more like “The rules for shopping are that you need to talk in your quiet voice, listen to daddy, sit still in the cart, help daddy give the items to the clerk, etc.” The dad is also encouraged to only take her shopping when she is most likely to behave (i.e., when well-rested, well-fed, not upset about something else, etc.).

He might also give her something to do while shopping, such as by bringing her favorite book or helping to put items in the cart. Giving his daughter choices will also help her feel a sense of control (i.e., “You can either help put the items in the cart or you can help give them to the clerk”).

And, finally, the little girl should be rewarded for her polite shopping behavior with a great deal of praise (i.e., “You were a very good girl at the store today. You really helped Daddy and I enjoyed spending time with you”).

He might also reward her with a special experience (i.e., “You were so helpful at the store, that we saved enough time to go the park later” or “You were such a great helper today; can you also help daddy make dinner?”). Of course, the reward should not consist of food, since that can lead to various other problems.

There are many more positive parenting tips for this and other difficult parenting scenarios throughout this article, as well as numerous helpful learning resources. In the meantime, it is always wise to remember that your toddler or preschooler does not act the way he/she does in order to torture you— it’s not personal.

There are always underlying reasons for these behaviors. Just keep your cool, plan-ahead, think about your long-term goals, and remember that your adorable little monster will only be this age for a brief time.

Related: Parenting Children with Positive Reinforcement (Examples + Charts)

Siblings, whether biological; adopted; full or half stepsiblings; often pick at each other endlessly. Arguments between siblings are a normal part of life. However, sometimes the degree of animosity between siblings (e.g., sibling rivalry) can get out of control and interfere with the quality of the relationship. Not to mention creating misery for parents. Plus, there are negative long-term consequences of problematic sibling relationships, such as deviant behavior among older children and teens (Moser & Jacob, 2002).

Sibling rivalry is often complicated, as it is affected by a range of family variables, such as family size, parent-child interactions, parental relationships, children’s genders, birth order, and personality—among others. And it starts really early. Sometimes, as soon as a child realizes a baby brother or sister is on the way, emotions begin to run high. Fortunately, parents have a great opportunity to prepare their children from the start.

For example, the parent can foster a healthy sibling relationship by engaging in open communication about becoming a big brother or sister early on. This should be done in a way that is exciting and supports the child’s new role as the older sibling. Parents can support bonding by allowing the child to feel the baby kick or view ultrasound pictures. They can solicit their child’s help in decorating the baby’s room.

For some families, their newborn baby may be premature or have other medical problems that require time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this situation, which can be quite stressful for siblings, parents should talk to the older child about what’s happening. Parents might also provide the child with updates on the baby’s progress, prepare the child for visits to the NICU, have the child draw a picture to leave with the baby, make a scrapbook for the baby, and set aside plenty of time with the older child (Beavis, 2007).

If the new child is going to be adopted, it is also important to encourage a connection. For example, along with explaining how the adoption will work, the child can be involved in the exciting aspects of the process once it is confirmed. In the case of an older child or international adoption, there are special things parents can do as well.

For example, if a child is in an orphanage, the sibling can help pick-out little gifts to send ahead of time (i.e., a stuffed animal, soft blanket or clothing). Having the child draw a picture and/or write a letter to the new sibling is another way to enhance the relationship. Adopting an older child will require particular preparation; as the new sibling will arrive with his/her own fears, traits, memories, and experiences that will certainly come into play.

There are a number of children’s books designed to help parents prepare their children for a new sibling, such as You Were the First (MacLachlan, 2013), My Sister Is a Monster : Funny Story on Big Brother and New Baby Sister How He Sees Her (Green, 2018), and Look-Look : The New Baby (Mayer, 2001).

There are also children’s books that help prepare children for adopted siblings, with some that are even more focused on the type of adoption. Here are a few examples: Seeds of Love : For Brothers and Sisters of International Adoption (Ebejer Petertyl & Chambers, 1997), A Sister for Matthew : A Story About Adoption (Kennedy, 2006), and Emma’s Yucky Brother (Little, 2002).

Along with the above tips, Amy McCready (2019) provides some excellent suggestions for ending sibling rivalry, these include:

Avoid Labeling Children: by labeling children in ways such as “the social one,” “the great student,” “the athlete,” “the baby” etc., parents intensify comparisons, as well as one child’s belief that he/she does not possess the same positive qualities as the other one (i.e., “if he’s the ‘brainy one,’ I must be the ‘dumb one,’”).
Arrange for Attention: Make sure each child has plenty of regular intentional attention so that they will be less inclined to fight for it.
Prepare for Peace: McCready describes several ways to teach conflict resolution skills that help to avoid further issues between siblings.
Stay out of Squabbles: Unless absolutely necessary (i.e., during a physical fight), it is best to stay out of squabbles. In doing so, the parent is not reinforcing the disagreement, while also enabling the children to work out solutions together.
Calm the Conflict: If you must intervene, it is best to help the children problem-solve the situation without judgment or taking sides.
Put them All in the Same Boat: McCready suggests that all children involved in the conflict receive the same consequence, which teaches them that they each will benefit from getting along.

These and other useful tips and resources are available on McCready’s Positive Parenting Solutions website . Luckily, by being thoughtful and preparing ahead of time, parents can avoid excessive competition between children and promote meaningful lifelong sibling bonds.

Before discussing positive parenting with teenagers, it is important to remember one key fact: Teens still need and want their parents’ support, affection, and guidance— even if it doesn’t seem like it. Just as with younger kids, parental figures are essential for helping adolescents overcome difficult struggles (Wolin, Desetta & Hefner, 2016).

Indeed, by fostering a sense of mastery and internal locus of control, adults help to empower a teen’s sense of personal responsibility and control over the future (Blaustein & Kinniburgh, 2018). In fact, the presence of nurturing adults who truly listen has been reported among emotionally resilient teens (Wolin et al., 2016).

Positive parenting practices such as quality communication, parental monitoring, and authoritative parenting style also have been found to predict fewer risky behaviors among adolescents (DeVore & Ginsburg, 2005).

As parents of teens know, there are many challenges involved in parenting during this developmental period. Adolescents often find themselves confused about where they fit in the area between adulthood and childhood. They may desire independence, yet lack the maturity and knowledge to execute it safely. They are often frustrated by their bodily changes, acne and mood swings.

Teens may be overwhelmed by school, as well as pressures from parents and peers. Teens may feel bad about themselves and even become anxious or depressed as they try to navigate the various stressors they face.

Many of these difficulties, which certainly need attention from parents, may also make conversations difficult. Parents may feel confused as to how much freedom versus protectiveness is appropriate. The Love and Logic approach (Cline & Faye, 2006) provides some terrific ways for parents to raise responsible, well-adjusted teens.

The authors’ approach for parents involves two fundamental concepts: “Love [which] means giving your teens opportunities to be responsible and empowering them to make their own decisions.” And “Logic [which] means allowing them to live with the natural consequences of their mistakes-and showing empathy for the pain, disappointment, and frustration they’ll experience” (Foster, Cline, & Faye, 2019, hopelbc.com, p. 1).

Just as with young children, the Love and Logic method is a warm and loving way to prepare teens for the future while maintaining a quality relationship with parents.

Another positive parenting approach that is particularly applicable to adolescents is the Teen Triple P Program (Ralph & Sanders, 2004). Triple P (which will be described in a subsequent post) is tailored toward teens and involves teaching parents a variety of skills aimed at increasing their own knowledge and confidence.

The program also promotes various prosocial qualities in teens such as social competence, health, and resourcefulness; such that they will be able to avoid engaging in problem behaviors (e.g., substance use, risky sex, delinquency, Bulimia, etc.). This approach enables parents to replace harsh discipline styles for those that are more nurturing, without being permissive. It aims to minimize parent-teen conflict while providing teens with the tools and ability to make healthy choices (Ralph & Sanders, 2004).

Parents of teens (or future teens) often shudder when considering the dangers and temptations to which their children may be exposed. With a focus specifically on substance use, the Partnership for Drug-free Kids website offers a great deal of information for parents who are either dealing with teen drug use or are doing their best to prevent it.

For example, several suggestions for lowering the probability that a teen will use substances include:

knowing your teen’s friends;
being a positive role model in terms of your own coping mechanisms and use of alcohol and medication;
being aware of your child’s level of risk for substance use;
providing your teen with substance use information;
supervising and monitoring your teen;
setting boundaries;
communicating openly about substance use; and
building a supportive and warm relationship with your teen (Partnership for Drug-free Kids; PDK, 2014).

These suggestions are discussed in more detail on the following PDF : Parenting Practices: Help Reduce the Chances Your Child will Develop a Drug or Alcohol Problem (PDK, 2014). By employing these and other positive parenting techniques, you are helping your teenager to become a respectful, well-adjusted and productive member of society.

Divorce has become so common that dealing with it in the best possible way for kids is of vital importance to parents everywhere.

Parental divorce/separation represents a highly stressful experience for children that can have both immediate and long-term negative consequences.

Children of divorce are at increased risk for mental health, emotional, behavioral, and relationship problems (Department of Justice, Government of Canada, 2015).

There is, however, variability in how divorce affects children; with some adverse consequences being temporary, and others continuing well into adulthood. Since we know that divorce does not impact all children equally, the key question becomes: What are the qualities that are most effective for helping children to cope with parental divorce?

There are differences in children’s temperament and other aspects of personality, as well as family demographics, that affect their ability to cope with divorce. But, for present purposes, let’s focus on the aspects of the divorce itself since this is the area parents have the most power to change.

Importantly, the detrimental impact of divorce on kids typically begins well before the actual divorce (Amato, 2000). Thus, it may not be the divorce per se that represents the child risk factor; but rather, the parents’ relationship conflicts and how they are handled. For divorced/divorcing parents, this information is encouraging—as there are things you can do to help your children (and you) remain resilient despite this difficult experience.

Parental Conflict and Alienation

There are several divorce-related qualities that make it more difficult for children to adapt to divorce, such as parental hostility and poor cooperation between parents (Amato, 2000); and interpersonal conflict between parents along with continued litigation (Goodman, Bonds, & Sandler, et al., 2005).

Parents dealing with divorce need to make a special effort not to expose their children to conflicts between parents, legal and money related issues, and general animosity. The latter point merits further discussion, as parents often have a difficult time not badmouthing each other in front of (or even directly to) their kids. It is this act of turning a child against a parent that ultimately serves to turn a child against himself (Baker & Ben-Ami, 2011).

Badmouthing the other divorced parent is an alienation strategy, given its aim to alienate the other parent from the child. Such alienation involves any number of criticisms of the other parent in front of the child. This may even include qualities that aren’t necessarily negative, but which can be depicted as such for the sake of enhancing alienation (Baker & Ben-Ami, 2011).

Baker and Ben-Ami (2011) note that parental alienation tactics hurt children by sending the message that the badmouthed parent does not love the child. Also, the child may feel that, because their badmouthed parent is flawed; that he/she is similarly damaged. When a child receives a message of being unlovable or flawed, this negatively affects his/her self-esteem, mood, relationships, and other areas of life ( Baker & Ben-Ami, 2011 ).

An excellent resource for preventing parental alienation is Divorce Poison : How to Protect Your Family from Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing (Warshak, 2010).

Warshak describes how one parent’s criticism of the other may have a highly detrimental impact on the targeted parent’s relationship with his/her child. And such badmouthing absolutely hurts the child. Badmouthed parents who fail to deal with the situation appropriately are at risk of losing the respect of their kids and even contact altogether. Warshak provides effective solutions for bad-mouthed parents to use during difficult situations, such as:

How to react when you find out about the badmouthing
What to do if your kids refuse to see you
How to respond to false accusations
How to insulate kids from bad-mouthing effects

Reasons that parents attempt to manipulate children, as well as behaviors often exhibited by children who have become alienated from one parent, are also described (Warshak, 2010). This book, as well as additional resources subsequently listed, provides hope and solutions for parents who are dealing with the pain of divorce.

Importantly, there are ways to support children in emerging from divorce without long-term negative consequences (i.e., by protecting them from parental animosity). It is in this way that parents can “enable their children to maintain love and respect for two parents who no longer love, and may not respect, each other” (Warshak, 2004-2013, warshak.com).

17 Exercises for Positive, Fulfilling Relationships

Empower others with the skills to cultivate fulfilling, rewarding relationships and enhance their social wellbeing with these 17 Positive Relationships Exercises [PDF].

Created by experts. 100% Science-based.

Positive parenting is an effective style of raising kids that is suitable for pretty much all types of parents and children. This article contains a rich and extensive collection of positive parenting research and resources; with the goal of arming caregivers with the tools to prevent or tackle a multitude of potential challenges. And, of course, to foster wellness and healthy development in children.

Here are the article’s key takeaways:

Parents are never alone. Whatever the problem or degree of frustration, there is a whole community of parents who have faced the same issues. Not to mention a ton of positive parenting experts with effective solutions.
Positive parenting begins early. Positive parenting truly starts the moment a person realizes he/she is going to become a parent since even the planning that goes into preparing for a child’s arrival will have an impact.
Positive parenting applies to all developmental periods. With a positive parenting approach, raising toddlers and teenagers need not be terrible nor terrifying. Positive parenting promotes effective, joyful parenting of kids of all ages.
Positive parents raise their children in a way that empowers them to reach their full potential as resilient and fulfilled individuals. Positive parents are warm, caring, loving and nurturing— and so much more: They are teachers, leaders, and positive role models. They are consistent and clear about expectations. They know what their kids and teens are doing. They encourage and reinforce positive behaviors. They make family experiences a priority. They support their children’s autonomy and individuality. They love their children unconditionally. They engage in regular, open dialogues with their children. They are affectionate, empathetic, and supportive. They understand that their teenagers still need them.
Positive discipline is an effective, evidence-based approach that is neither punitive nor permissive. Positive discipline is performed in a loving way without anger, threats, yelling, or punishment. It involves clear rules, expectations, and consequences for behavior; and consistent follow-through. It is in alignment with parents’ long-term parenting goals.
Positive parenting is backed by empirical evidence supporting its many benefits. Positive parenting promotes children’s self-esteem, emotional expression, self-efficacy, sense of belonging, social and decision-making skills, and belief in themselves. Positive parenting fosters secure attachments and quality relationships with parents; school adjustment and achievement; reduced behavior problems, depressive symptoms, and risk behaviors; and positive youth development in general. The outcomes associated with positive parenting are long-term and often permanent.
Positive parenting is applicable to a vast array of challenges. Positive parenting applies to everyday challenges, as well as more frustrating and even severe issues. Positive parenting has been effectively used for dealing with temper tantrums, bedtime and eating issues, and sibling rivalry; as well as difficulties associated with divorce, ADHD, family stressors, teen pressures, and risk-taking—and much more.
Positive parenting solutions are both abundant and accessible. Because positive parenting experts have tackled so many parenting issues, available resources are plentiful. Along with the many tips and suggestions contained in this article; there is a whole online library of positive parenting-related activities, workbooks, books, videos, courses, articles, and podcasts that cover a broad range of parenting topics.

Considering the many positive parenting solutions and resources currently available, parents can approach their role as teachers, leaders, and positive role models with confidence and optimism. And, ultimately, by consistently applying positive parenting strategies; parents will experience a deep and meaningful connection with their children that will last a lifetime. ?

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I am currently a student in occupational therapy and I am in the process of completing my dissertation for my degree, focusing on positive parenting and its impact on children with ADHD. Recently, I purchased a book that contained a QR code leading me to your article. Would it be possible to receive the DOI and the PDF of this article via email, please?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Best regards, Anis

While we don’t currently have an option to download or convert our posts to pdf, you are very welcome to reference the article as follows (APA 7): [author last name], [author initial]. (year, month day). Title. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/URL/

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Warm regards, Julia | Community Manager

Thank you for compiling this research. It was truly helpful in getting started on a positive path.

Hi there! I am writing a research paper on gentle parenting and the positive effects it has. Would you be able to send me your resource list for this article?

If you scroll to the very end of the article, you will find a button that you can click to reveal the reference list.

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I am also writing a paper. When citing this article, should I use 2019 or 2023 as the date? Thank you!

You can reference this article in APA 7th as follows: Lonczak, H.S. (2019, May 08). Title. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/positive-parenting/

Hope this helps! Kind regards, Julia | Community Manager

Great article. I really liked. I will share this article with my school.

I totally agree with many different points has written in this useful article, I spent several days to complete it,, but it was really worthy especially what you mentioned here about model of parenting. Thank your for all details and sources you wrote up there and waiting for your new things coming up.

i love your blog and always like new things coming up from it.

Positive parenting is key for a happy family! I totally agree that positive parenting promotes effective, joyful parenting of kids of all ages. The most important things about such a model of parenting are to know your kid’s friends, being a positive role model in terms of your own coping mechanisms and use of alcohol and medication, and building a supportive and warm relationship with your child. We are responsible for the future generation, therefore raising happy and good person is a must!

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Parenting Essay Examples

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