Essay Sample on Good Parenting and Teaching

Introduction

Raising a child is not an easy task. As a parent, one has to ensure that their child develops with the highest moral standards. That calls for effective parenting skills which dictate that parents should be responsible role models for their children to ensure they grow with desired traits. Authoritative parenting is the desirable style I have always admired. It is the best parenting style because there are theoretical limits set for a child. To reinforce desirable behavior to a child, authoritative parents use rewards for positive role modeling, purposely to maximize a child's moral development. As an authoritative parent, I would enforce rules, explain the reason behind those rules, while at the same time help my child maintain his/her self-esteem.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Authoritative parenting involves a lot of aspects which includes modeling, loving, integrating, and communication. When it comes to communicating, I will develop a tendency of listening to my children carefully as they share their troubling experiences. I will also evaluate and try to understand the roots of the child's problems, take the child's opinion, and then show empathy towards their problems. I am convinced that such a communication strategy is likely to enhance good decision making of a child.

A child can only achieve high moral values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility through discipline, which is a predominant factor worth consideration in authoritative parenting. Discipline shapes a child's personality more especially on their social and emotional development, making them sensitive before making any decision. I would use the reward system such that I reward the child with verbal praise when he/she portrays good behavior. I would also reward the child with material assets such as a toy or money when they stick to the rules. That will help maintain a positive relationship between the child and me.

Part A: Identify a Television Show or Movie for Each of The Following

Authoritarian Style of Parenting

'That 70's Show' which aired from 1998 to 2006 has an accurate illustration of authoritarian parenting style. The TV show depicts one family with a very strict dad who creates expectations and rules to be followed by the entire family. The father expects all his children to follow those rules without deviation and in case one breaks the rules, the father exposes them to physical punishment. This parenting style has a more significant effect on a child because it denies them the desired freedom. In the long run, it can make a child rebellious and even dictators in the future.

Authoritative Style of Parenting

'Fun House TV show' which aired 1989 - 1999 has a perfect illustration of authoritative parenting style. The TV show features a young teen who deviates from one of the rules set by her parents. The young lady fails her science test from a mean grade of A to F. When her dad inquires the reason why she failed her test; the lady replies that she could not balance her classwork with her job. Her dad tells her to quit her job and concentrate on her studies. At first, the teen is hesitant, but her dad finally uses diplomatic means to persuade the girl to incorporate his idea. Such an authoritative parenting style has a significant effect on the child in the show. Whereas the child is given some standard amount of freedom, there are some limits set. The teenager comes to understand that there are some expectations and rules to follow. She also begins to realize the role of her parents; evaluating her moves and guiding her from breaking the rules.

Permissive Style of Parenting

'Mean girls TV show' released in 2004 is a perfect demonstration of permissive parenting style. In the TV show, a mom intentionally gives her children excessive freedom, allowing them to break the rules and behave as they desire, provided they are comfortable with their actions. The absence of limits have some negative consequences to a child. The child may grow lacking desirable social norms such as poor eating habits, low standard hygiene, and other physical health hazards such as injury. Parents should strive to give a desirable amount of freedom and limitations to their children and teach them their societal expectations.

Part B - Parent-Friendly Flyer

Parenting is indeed hard work, and it can be quite challenging to maintain a positive relationship with your child. That calls for effective communication, which is the most significant aspect of parenting. No one is immune to problems. And for children to share those troubling experiences, effective communication is a paramount aspect likely to improve the relationship between a parent and his/her child. Effective communication might improve a child's overall self - esteem because children tend to form opinions and beliefs depending on how parents communicate effectively with them.

When giving a request, command or an order, make an eye-contact with the child and check the tone of your voice. Your voice should not be intimidating but caring which will lead to a meaningful relationship with your child and make them have a strong sense of belonging.

Additionally, make an effort to avoid shouting at your child. Yelling at a child will only worsen the situation. When angry, resist arguing with the child and walk away from the location. Using effective communication skills, you can allow the child to express his/her feelings or personal opinions then help in dealing with their emotions by initiating a friendly conversation.

Part C

Related consequence is the best strategy for behavior management for kids. As the name suggests, related means the consequences must be related to the behavior. In related consequences, the step taken must encourage change in a positive way without hurting the feelings of a child. When using a consequence, ensure the child feels loved and safe as they adjust their behavior. The types of related consequences that would be most appropriate in the scenario in part C is the loss of privilege and positive time-out.

Loss of privilege is a type of related consequences which has proved to be effective in responding to a child's behavior. The consequence involves a child losing their privilege of engaging in an activity for a very short time. Loss of privilege allows a child to examine their behavior and make wise choices in future (Pozatek, 2014). Basilo and Salena are in a tug-of-war on who should cook dinner. Since Salena is a girl, she feels her brother Basilo should not cook dinner. Basilo wants to cook dinner because he has seen his father engage in cooking. In this scenario, I would give Salena two choices; to either build a friendship with his brother and cook dinner together or lose the privilege of cooking dinner till the following day. Such response would prevent the siblings from engaging in the power struggle and help both Salena and Basilo reflect on their minor misbehavior.

Positive time-out is another type of related consequences I will use in that scenario. Positive time-out involves isolating a disruptive kid from the scene until they calm down their minor misbehaviors. Sending a child away from a desirable activity for a short period would make them become responsible and adjust their misbehaviors (Lynne, 2012). In the tug-of-war between Basilo and Salena, I would intervene by telling Salena to leave the kitchen for some brief time. Salena will leave the kitchen, and the disruptions would cool down. Once in an isolated space, Salena would reflect on her minor misbehavior and come to value the actions of his brother. After a short while, I would call Salena to join her brother back in the kitchen and prepare dinner together.

References

Lynne, C. (2012). 3. In Positive Effective Parenting. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.

Pozatek, K. (2014). 6. In Brave Parenting: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide to Raising Emotionally Resilient Children (1st ed.). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.