There are many different types of parents out there, and in this post, I’ll cover some of the types I’ve observed over my lifetime. What I’m sharing here doesn’t come from parenting journals or statistics; this is real-life experience talking. Sure, I could dive into medical journals and all that fancy stuff, but that’s not the purpose of this column. I’d rather just casually talk with you about what I see in the real world, not what some book filled with numbers tells us. Those journals have their place, and I have read them too, but for this article, they won’t factor in much.
The “Ready from the gate” parent!
This person feels like they were born to be a parent. They knew from a very young age that they wanted kids. They even had an idea about the sexes, the age difference between the kids, and maybe even the timing of births. These people are focused on kids the first thing they do when buying or searching for a new place is figure out where the nursery will go. They might not have a partner, job, education, or a home yet, but they know what they want when it comes to having children.
The “I am God” parent!
Some parents believe in strict discipline and expect their word to be final. These parents expect their children to follow their instructions regardless of the child’s preferences. For example, a parent might encourage their child to play the piano, even if the child would rather play the guitar. If the child shows interest in something else, some of these parents might respond firmly. If you have never read “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, that story is a good example to understand this kind of parenting.
The “absentee” parent.
Absentee parents come in different forms. One type is a parent who isn’t around much due to work commitments such as long hours, meetings, and travel that keep them away from their kids. Another type is the parent who is less involved or not present in their child’s life. This situation is often discussed in family courts, especially around child support.
The “no consequence” parent.
This type of parent struggles with setting boundaries and teaching children about consequences. They may be very forgiving to the point where children don’t fully understand the impact of their actions. An example often cited is the case of Ethan Couch, who was reportedly let off lightly because of “affluenza.” It’s important for kids to understand that actions have consequences; otherwise, it can lead to serious issues down the road.
The “child” parent.
This parent had children while they themselves were still quite young. It’s a situation many of us have seen, especially in certain communities. MTV even made a show about teenage pregnancy and parenting. When I was in junior high, I wrote a poem called “Teen Pregnancy” about this very issue. It’s something that affects many and continues to be relevant.
The child abuse concern.
Unfortunately, some children face various types of abuse including physical, mental, or emotional. This is a serious issue that affects families across all backgrounds. While some parents may employ strict discipline, abuse goes beyond discipline and is deeply harmful. It’s always heartbreaking to hear about or witness.
I remember a time when I was at my son’s parent and teacher night. One instructor told a father that his child had a perfect 100 average. Instead of celebrating, the father immediately asked what his child was doing badly at and where they needed extra work. After hearing this a few times, I felt compelled to say something. I went over and encouraged him to step back from searching for flaws and let the kid enjoy their success. Sometimes we should celebrate achievements rather than focusing on every tiny mistake. I even suggested he treat his son to something fun and just enjoy the moment. I don’t think that went over particularly well with him, but sometimes you have to say what’s on your mind.
Other styles?
These are just a few parenting styles I’ve observed over the years. There are many more, ranging from one extreme to another. Covering all variations would take forever. For now, this is just scratching the surface.
Please comment!
We’d love to hear from you. What kinds of parenting styles have you seen? What’s your approach and why? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
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