When deciding to be parents, we must understand that raising the upbringing is the most complex and significant task we will face as adults. In this article we will teach you about some of the parenting styles that exist, defining each one and examining how they can influence the behavior and emotional, social and cognitive development of children. From the authoritarian to the permissive, and the most balanced democratic style, you will learn what they are about, what effects they have on children and how they are applied.

What are parenting styles?

Parenting styles are the sets of guidelines, values, and strategies that parents use to guide their children into adulthood. These styles influence children's physical, emotional, and social development, impacting their self-esteem, social skills, and long-term behavior.

Why is it important to know parenting styles?

As we have said in the previous section, the parenting styles used will influence all the aspects that shape a person from childhood to adulthood. This means that knowing parenting styles is important because:

• Self-awareness and reflection: Exploring different parenting styles allows us to reflect on our own upbringing and understand how it has shaped our personality, values and current behaviors. This introspection is essential to identify family patterns and understand how they influence our interactions with our own children.
• Improved communication: By knowing the various parenting styles, we can be more aware of our own parenting tendencies and adapt our communication to establish a more effective connection with our children. Recognizing which style we are using gives us the opportunity to adjust the way we interact to encourage more open and meaningful communication.
• Greater effectiveness in parenting: Understanding the implications and consequences of each parenting style enables us to choose the approach that best suits the individual needs of our children. By being aware of how our parenting actions impact our children's development, we can make better-informed decisions aimed at helping them reach their full potential.
• Strengthening the family relationship: Familiarity with parenting styles allows us to better understand the needs and perspectives of each family member. This facilitates the creation of a harmonious and supportive family environment, where mutual understanding is promoted and a strong emotional bond between parents and children is fostered.
• Preventing problems: By recognizing the possible negative consequences of certain parenting styles, we can anticipate and avoid mistakes that could affect the well-being and development of our children. This awareness helps us adopt a more proactive approach aimed at preventing future difficulties.
• Beyond Conventional Styles: Finally, it is essential to understand that parenting styles are not rigid, predetermined categories. Each family is unique and has the ability to adapt and combine different elements of various styles to create a parenting approach that fits their particular values, needs and circumstances. It is this flexibility that allows us to find the right balance to raise our children effectively and lovingly.

Types of parenting

Parents play a critical role in their children's development, and the parenting styles they adopt will significantly shape children's growth and emotional well-being. The four most common types of parenting are:

• Authoritarian style: This style is distinguished by its strict and demanding nature. Parents who take this approach set inflexible rules and expect absolute compliance from their children. Punishment is usually the main tool for discipline. However, the repercussions of this style are often profound and negative. Children raised in an authoritarian environment often experience low self-esteem, anxiety, resentment, and may face difficulties developing autonomous decision-making skills.
• Democratic style: This approach is based on open communication and mutual respect between parents and children. Although clear rules are established, parents also value and listen to their children's opinions. Positive reinforcement is used to encourage and reward the desired behavior. As a result, this style tends to foster self-esteem, independence, responsibility, and social skills in children, creating an environment in which they feel valued and empowered to make informed decisions.
• Permissive style: Characterized by its flexibility and tolerance, this style allows children to enjoy great freedom and autonomy. Parents who take this approach often use reasoning as their primary disciplinary strategy. However, consequences can include a lack of control, impulsivity, low self-esteem, and difficulty following rules. Although the environment is often perceived as lenient, the lack of clear boundaries creates confusion and challenges to the proper development of self-regulation and responsibility.
• Neglectful style: In this style, the lack of attention and supervision from parents is predominant. The absence of clear rules and the necessary emotional support can have detrimental effects on the development of children. Low self-esteem, behavioral problems, depression, and anxiety are common consequences of this careless approach. The reality is that the lack of adequate structure leaves children feeling helpless and insecure, significantly impacting their emotional well-being and personal development.

How do parenting styles influence children?

It has become clear that the way in which steam education, guidance and support provided to children is approached will ensure that they grow positively or not. But how do these styles really influence parenting? We tell you:

• Self-esteem: An authoritarian environment, marked by constant criticism and pressure to meet inflexible standards, erodes children's self-esteem, leaving them with feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness. In contrast, children raised in homes where open communication and mutual respect are encouraged tend to develop stronger self-esteem, because they feel valued and able to express their opinions constructively.
• Social skills: Family dynamics influence how children learn to relate to others. Those who experience positive interactions and learn to resolve conflict constructively at home often exhibit more developed social skills, allowing them to form healthy relationships and better adapt to different social environments, both in school and in their adult lives.
• Behavior: Inconsistent or neglectful parenting styles sow the seeds of problematic behavior in children. The lack of clear boundaries or emotional  intelligence in children attention leaves children feeling disoriented and neglected. When a child feels this way, they are not able to regulate their emotions, therefore, they will not know how to behave. This does not necessarily mean that he or she always misbehaves and never respects the rules; it can also lead to a child who is incapable of doing things alone, afraid of everything, and has a high level of anxiety.
• Mental Health: Abusive or neglectful parenting environments are devastating to children's mental health. Lack of emotional support and exposure to stressful situations exponentially increase the risk of problems such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, leaving emotional scars that most likely last into adulthood.

What is the best parenting style for children?

Determining the “best” parenting style for children is a complex challenge, as each child is unique and what works well for one may not be right for another. However, child development experts agree that a balanced approach that combines clear expectations with emotional sensitivity will be more beneficial overall.

This means that the best parenting style is one that strikes a balance between setting clear expectations and rules, and providing love, support, and attention to the child's emotional needs. In essence, the democratic style.

In this style, parents are willing to adapt their parenting approach to the individual needs of each child, recognizing their abilities, nurturing their autonomy and understanding that they are capable of doing and deciding on their own. Flexibility and responsiveness to children's changing needs are critical to promoting optimal growth and well-being.

How to apply democratic style parenting at home?

Democratic parenting is a balanced and collaborative approach that promotes mutual respect and collaboration between parents and children. To implement this style at home, you can be guided by the following points:

• Establish clear and consistent rules: Clarity in expectations and consequences is essential for children to understand limits and feel safe in their environment. The rules should be reasonable and explained in an understandable way, this will give them a clear framework to comply with the desired behavior. For example, if you do not want your child to leave objects lying on the floor or forgotten in corners of the house, such as  Kiddus  brand kids' sunglasses  or kids wall clocks  , your responsibility is to explain it to them clearly and delicately so that they understand it.

• Foster independence: Allowing children to make age-appropriate decisions gives them a sense of autonomy and helps them develop self-confidence and responsible decision-making skills.
• Active listening: Genuine attention to children's concerns and opinions strengthens communication and shows that their voices are valued. Validating their feelings helps build a relationship of trust and mutual respect.
• Practice positive discipline: Instead of resorting to punishment, you should resort to positive discipline, which focuses on teaching and guiding. This may involve discussing the natural consequences of your actions and working together to find constructive solutions to solve problems.
• Be a role model: As a parent you must exemplify the behaviors and values that you want to instill in your children. Acting with respect, honesty, and empathy serves as a powerful example for children and contributes to building healthy relationships at home.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential that, as caregivers, we reflect on our parenting practices and always seek balance and understanding. By taking a conscious and thoughtful approach, we can guide our children toward well-rounded development and a full, satisfying life.