Dealing with Parents: Understanding the 5 Types of Parenting Styles

If you work as a teacher or a child carer, then you will be dealing with parents.

After all, it is your job to be responsible for their child's well-being and education. And parents would want to know how their child is doing.

With time, you may have noticed some parents are quite laid back, some might be overprotective and others to be very strict. The point is, different parents will have their own parenting style. And as teachers and child carers, it is important that you know how to communicate to these different types of parents.  

This post aims to help you familiarise with the 5 main parenting style. And and how to approach each parent style terms of communication.

1. Tiger Parents

an image of a mother tiger tending to her two cubs

Tiger parents expect first-time obedience and perfection from their child. Children of tiger parents do not tend to talk back. This type of parenting is quite common in families who have been brought up in a very cultural and traditional background (especially those from an Asian heritage). 

Parents who choose this style of parenting want their child to be successful in the future. They often assume that their child owes them for bringing them into this world and so they expect their child to make them proud. So when a tiger parent demands their child to play the piano for an hour a day, the child usually complies.

Pros: Children raised under tiger parenting tend to be more productive, motivated and responsible.

Cons: Children could potentially struggle to function in daily life or in new settings. They could suffer from depression, anxiety or poor social skills. But this is all culturally dependent.

How to Deal with Tiger Parents

Children being brought up under strict tiger parenting could either be very obedient or they want to break free. Either way, it is important that you remain positive about the child. And if the child is obedient, do mention that you never have any trouble with the child. As for children who are trying to break free, do mention some of the activities they enjoy doing. If the child likes art or drawing, then mention it, don't suggest to the parent that they should encourage them to draw, but bring it to their attention.

2. Helicopter Parents (Overparenting)

a meme of helicopter parenting

Helicopter parents are obsessed with their children. They tend to prevent every struggle their toddler will go through. Be over-involved in their child's education and be in constant contact with their teacher. And when they become teenagers, they can't help but to keep watching over them.

Like tiger parents, helicopter parents are also worried about their child's future. But they may not trust their own child's ability to navigate the world. They believe by keeping a close eye on them, they can prevent them from experiencing failure.

Pros: Since helicopter parents are overprotective, they may prevent their child from problems they perhaps would not foreseeably see.

Cons: Children could lack emotional resilience and independence. They may have self-esteem issues and behavioural problems in the future.

How to Deal with Helicopter Parents

Helicopter parents need plenty of reassurance to know that their child is doing okay. By providing examples of their child doing things on their own will give helicopter parents some confidence in their child's ability.

3. Bulldozer Parents

an image of a bulldozer

These parents will do whatever it takes to ensure their children get what they want. They may resort to bribing the school football team's coach to help them get on the team or argue with their school's principal about a poor mark and ask for a different teacher.

To basically put it, these parents may think their children are too special to experience failure. But the truth is, children need to fail as part of their own development. Like helicopter parents, bulldozer parents are overprotective, hence why they do whatever it takes to see their child succeed.

Pros: Children are protected from experiencing setbacks. Cons: Children do not become independent and lack emotional resilience.

How to Deal with Bulldozer Parents

Bulldozer parents may come across as quite aggressive and argumentative if they see their child not succeeding. It is important to remain assertive and explain the importance of failure for their child. Just expect to be in constant contact with the parent.

4. Free-Range Parenting

an image of lego star war character showing worry-free parenting

This type of parenting is totally opposite to the 3 parenting styles mentioned above. A free-range parent actually trusts their child to learn on their own and they let their child do what they want.

Free-range parenting has been getting a lot of media attention as of late, especially from a legal point of view. In the UK, children under the age of 12 must never be left alone for prolonged periods

But besides that, there has been a lot of debate about free-range parenting, with some (especially overprotective parents) saying free-range parents are irresponsible. But free-range parents would argue back and say they are helping their kids to become independent.

Pros: Children are more independent and are better at managing themselves. They also take responsibility for their actions and are more resilient.

Cons: Free-range parents would need to consider the legal aspects of letting their children be on their own for a period of time.

How to Deal With Free-Range Parents

Unlike the other parenting styles, free-range parents are quite laid back and they trust their own child's ability. So you shouldn't have major any issues. But if there is something concerning you about the child's behaviour, then do bring it to their attention.

5. Attachment (Gentle) Parents

an image of a toddler holding mother's hand

Attachment parents believe the quality of the relationship that their child has with their primary caregiver is essential for their personal development. It is based on the psychological theory known as the attachment theory.

Attachment theory suggests that children who develop strong bonds with their parent will go on to have happier and healthier relations as they get older. Whilst attachment parents may be authoritarian in nature, they will balance this with empathy, depending on the outcome.

Pros: Children under attachment parents have a safe haven of love. Children are provided with an environment where they can safely explore the world.

Cons: Attachment parenting is often associated with an overprotective mother who can't let their child go.

How to Deal with Attachment Parents

Attachment parents may seem overprotective of their children, but if they have failed at a task, then do show some empathy to say that their child does work hard. And provide the parent with plenty of reassurance that you're giving them the best support possible.

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