Parenting: Moms Vs. Dads

Parenting brings on the responsibility of raising healthy, happy, well behaved, hard-working, intelligent children. The task can be so difficult at times that we wonder ourselves if we are doing the right thing. Mothers have their own style of handling children and fathers have their own way. Are mothers and fathers that divided when it comes to raising their children?

Parents usually display one of the three parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative and permissive. However, not all fathers or mothers are one particular type.

A father tends to be looked upon as the authoritarian or disciplinarian of the family. He is quick to act and react. His "no" means "no" and there are no negotiations or explanations for his answers. He sets high standards for his children and allows little room, if any, for mistakes. However, a father can be permissive, often spoiling the child with love and affection and giving in to whining and tears.

A mother takes child rearing just as serious as her counterpart. However, she is viewed as being more democratic or authoritative. She tends to think things through before acting and reacting. She listens to explanations and is willing to negotiate. She helps her children to be more responsible and sets clear attainable goals for her children. She focuses on positive behavior and rewards them for a job well done. A mother learns to ignore the small stuff. Sometimes, she seems to be permissive as well, being more of a friend to her children often showing kindness and warmth in the relationship. On the other hand, she can become frustrated if unruly behavior becomes out of control.

Of course, not all fathers are authoritarians and not all mothers are authoritative. There seems to be a mixture between the two and sometimes they can shift from one style to another with permissiveness tagging along from behind. Parenting is an issue that should be handled with caution, but with love.