Just like every individual, each set of parents is also unique. One’s culture, values, upbringing, socio-economic factors and life experiences shape the kind of parents they become. And while parenting is a journey in itself, there are various styles that people adopt to raise their kids. Read on to find out which category you fit into…
LAWNMOWER PARENTS
They are called so because they ‘mow down’ a path for their kids eliminating all obstacles, which may cause challenges or discomfort.
TIGER PARENTS
You’ve surely read or heard of the term ‘Tiger moms’! Well, Tiger parents are an extension of it. These folks are known for placing the utmost importance and strive for excellence in academics and carefully cherry-picked extracurricular activities neglecting leisure time. Also, they have high expectations from their young ones.
HUMMINGBIRD PARENTS
Those who come under this group are the muted version of their helicopter counterparts. They hover around but do not interfere excessively in their children’s decisions. They are physically and emotionally closeby to swoop in if their young ones need their help. However, they try not to decide everything for them or shield them completely from struggles.
ELEPHANT PARENTS
Just like these majestic animals, elephant parents are quite nurturing and protective of their children, especially during the early stages of their life. They value emotional security and connection.
HELICOPTER PARENTS
No, it has nothing to do with owning a helicopter! These ilk of people constantly monitor their children through a microscope, follow them like a satellite, fine-combing every aspect of their lives even till they grow up to be young adults.
SHERPA PARENTING
The style borrows its name from the Sherpa community in the Himalayan range, who act as guide mountaineers and transport luggage up and down the mountains. It’s considered parents’ duty to raise their offsprings, however carrying all their load and not letting them shoulder some responsibilities can hamper their development.
DOLPHIN PARENTS
Dr Shimi Kang, author of The Dolphin Parent: Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy, and Self-Motivated Kids, and Harvard-trained psychiatrist, coined this term. These type of parents use a collaboration of community, flexibility and balance in their approach to upbringing.
FREE-RANGE PARENTS
Don’t mistake them for those who only feed their kids free range produce. This breed can be called the antithesis of the helicopter type. Evoking a sense of déjà vu of the 1960s-70s era parenting, free-range parents tend to allow their children to take on responsibilities and freedoms, that are, of course, age-appropriate. They pay particular attention to building their kids’ confidence and instill in them coping skills.
JELLYFISH PARENTS
These parents function as if they have no spine. They lack authority, are too permissive, hardly discipline their younger ones and have set no expectations. They are usually found giving in to demands of their kids to deal with tantrums and avoid confrontation.
ATTACHMENT PARENTS
It appears as if they are unwilling to snip off the umbilical cord. They believe in having close contact with their baby all the time. They use physical proximity rather than a schedule to raise their munchkins.
MILITARY PARENTS
This has more to do with authoritarian style of parenting than having a parent from an army background. These are strict disciplinarians, who have an unhealthy obsession for rules, dish out punishments and have a ‘my way or the highway; kind of approach. Living with them is like growing up in an army boot camp.
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