In this day and age, you can’t lean too much on one parenting style alone. You can’t be a total authoritarian or 100 percent passive. According to Northwestern University human development professor Terri Sabol, finding the balance between the two is the right way to go.
“We think that there’s this ‘perfect parenting,’ but actually, it’s just a matter of being warm but also firm,” Sabol told Fortune.
Many people may struggle with the idea of what it means to be a “good parent.” For experts like clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Edlynn, one criterion is the ability to promote a child’s sense of self.
According to Dr. Edlynn, a good indicator is whether a child can openly admit to making a mistake without the fear of being judged.
“Through your relationship with them and how you treat them, you are nurturing that sense of autonomy,” she said.
First-time parents, especially, are bound to make mistakes. Psychotherapist Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore encourages being openly vulnerable about them, as this can teach the child the value of owning up to their own mistakes.
As she pointed out, “Love means trying again.”
Trying to be “good” at parental obligations can be tiring and even stressful for some. Clinical social worker Dr. Mercedes Samudio says parents tend to retreat when they are out of energy, which is why she also advises setting realistic expectations.
In an interview with CNBC, Dr. Samudio suggests writing down goals and reassessing them each week to see which ones are working or need tweaking.
A solid support system is also essential in stress management for younger, inexperienced parents. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from someone who’s been through the grind and has nuggets of wisdom to impart.
“Now may be the time to reform your ‘village’ of support,” licensed clinical psychologist and Parenting Translator founder Dr. Cara Goodwin wrote in an article for Psychology Today, adding that other parents would be more than willing to help.
Now, it’s your turn to share, readers. For the moms and dads out there, do you have any similar funny parenting anecdotes? What have your experiences taught you so far? Let’s liven up the comments section!
