Authoritative Parenting Works: Psychologists Outline Benefits with Discipline with Reward and Consequence

Authoritative parenting raises confident and independent kids according to experts. 

If you are a parent and you want to be a good one, experts say that authoritative parenting is one approach where you can achieve this.

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According to experts

Celia I. Mion-Araoz, a licensed mental health expert, said that parents who use authoritative parenting set clear goals about how they want their children to behave, raising them to be independent kids. 

She added that those parents who use this approach reward their children when they show good behavior. They also rely on positive actions and natural effects to guide their children rather than resort to threats. 

The reason why authoritative parenting raises independent kids is that children whose parents use this approach give them more choices, so long as the result is what their parents are asking them for. 

Another expert, Stephen Glicksman, also agrees. He said that studies also show such results with children under authoritative parenting. They grow up to be independent kids, successful, well adjusted, happier, not to mention that they get along well with their peers and can better cope with life's ups and downs. 

What is authoritative parenting?

Authoritative parenting is strong on control, clarity, maturity demands, and nurturance. Parents that use this approach set limits for their kids, not to mention that they also have high expectations for how their kids should behave. 

On the other hand, they are willing to explain and reason out with their children and support them even when they make mistakes. 

Glicksman said that kids learn to trust parents who use such an approach because they know trust is two-way, and if ever the time comes that they mess up, they are assured that their parents will be there to help them through it no matter what. 

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The rewards system

Although such an approach relies on giving rewards to their kids because of their good behavior, that reward can be as simple as appreciation from their parents. 

Mion-Araoz said that it is already enough for kids to know that their parents are proud of them and that they have done something right. 

To find success in using such an approach, the key is being consistent. Parents should make their expectations for their children clear, precise, and they should always appreciate their kids' good actions. 

Although there will be times where parents' parenting will be less than ideal, it is still okay. And when it comes to a point where parents will say their usual line like, "because I'm the parent", their children will learn that when they said that, it is because it is true and not because they feel the need to be their boss. 

In the long run, such an approach can help children meet other social expectations both in childhood and adulthood. Aside from this, they will grow up to be independent kids who know that there will be effects in every action that they will make. They will learn to be more confident and sure about themselves as well as with the choices that they are going to make. 

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