Intermission: Your parent's secret ploy.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on how our parents' styles influence our own choices as caregivers. For many, this influence can manifest in various ways: some may replicate their parents’ methods, while others might consciously adopt the opposite approach. Many parents strive to take the best aspects of their upbringing and refine them for their own children. Ultimately, our goal is to raise capable, independent individuals who can thrive in adulthood.

It’s essential to consider how our parents shaped our beliefs about parenting and how those beliefs affect our children. For instance, someone from an authoritarian household might see that style as the correct approach, while another, feeling constrained by it, might gravitate toward a more permissive or neglectful style. Conversely, some may reject permissiveness entirely, opting instead for an authoritarian or authoritative approach. There are no absolute answers or guaranteed outcomes in this journey. The key is to explore your own experiences and reflect on how they inform your parenting choices.