Parenting Types

Have you ever stopped to think how effective your parenting is? Although I have never been a parent, I do have parents, and I do see how other parents are. In class this week we learned a few ways in which parents can be more effective, and the biggest thing that stood out to me was probably if parent's want their children to behave, give them choices? So often teenagers feel like their parent's are just telling them what to do (note: this isn't necessarily a bad thing because most of the time parent's just want what they think is best for their child). Instead of commanding your child around, instead try giving them options, options for dinner, options for hanging out with friends, and, even when they mess up, options for their punishment. I know when I was given options growing up, I felt like I had more of a say in my own life, and it really did help!