Parenting styles that may be turning you into a bad parent

Every parent wants the best for their children. They do what they do so they can provide a sustainable future for their kids, alongside protecting them from all the dangers that lurk around in the world. However, in an attempt to be a great parent, some parents adopt parenting styles that eventually distance them away from their children and make them a bad parent. To know what you're doing wrong, here are negative parenting styles and their effect on kids.

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Authoritarian parenting is the most strict parenting style, that places very great expectations on kids and mostly focuses on obedience, discipline, control rather than nurturing and caring for their children.

Some of the characteristics of this parenting style include enforcement of strict rules, one-sided communication, making unrealistic demands, and emotional unavailability.

Such a parenting style is often considered 'tough love' where the parent claims to do what they do for the best interest of the child. However, this can have a negative impact on the child's psyche, making them prone to decreasing self esteem and increasing self-doubt.

Do not confuse authoritarian with authoritative parenting.

While authoritarian parenting believes in using punishment as a tool for discipline, authoritative parenting style is more nurturing and focused on creating and maintaining a positive relationship with one's kid.

That said, the latter is characterised by high responsiveness, it encourages setting clear set of rules and realistic expectations for kids, promotes two-way communication and also gives their children the freedom to fail and learn.

Permissive parenting is a type of parenting style, where the parent is least interested in setting rules and expectations when it comes to children. While they communicate freely and more frequently, they fail to help their children in making important decisions or guiding them through thick and thin. They may go to extraordinary lengths to keep their children content and happy, which sometimes can spoil them to a great extent.

Additionally, they avoid conflict at all costs and often give into their child's demands, which may not fare well in the long run.

Neglectful parenting also known as uninvolved parenting is one of the worst parenting styles, according to parenting experts.

Not only does it promote leaving kids to fend for themselves, but it also offers very less care and engagement with them. There is no sense of guidance, attention and emotional availability, which are extremely necessary during a child's developing years.

Children raised by neglectful parents often have low self esteem, have difficulty forming and maintaining close relationships and do not understand safety and security as they have been doing that for themselves from early years.

If you love your child, care for them and are giving them the right life lessons, then no matter how guilty or unpleasant you feel about your parenting style, you're doing your duties perfectly!

However, there may be certain red flags to note:

- Over or under involvement in your child's life. It is important that you strike the right balance. Give your child the space they need, but also be there when they need you.

- Lack of discipline may distract your child down a wrong path. Be there to guide them.

- Strict parenting only instills fear, not respect.

- Shaming your children to make them do what you want will only take a toll on their self-esteem.