Effective Parenting Leads To Happy Children
When it comes to raising happy children, some parenting approaches are more effective than others. Well adjusted and happy adults tend to be raised by parents who were caring and engaged, but also set and enforce high expectations for behavior.
A research study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology by Mai Stafford and her colleagues assessed the relationship between parental behaviors and youth well-being beginning when the kids were teens and conducted follow-up assessments when the youth were 36 and 43 years of age.
It’s difficult to conduct research over 30 years, but these scientists discovered a clear relationship between what parents did when their kids were young, and how they turned out as adults. Effective parents had two characteristics.
First, they were attentive and engaged in their children’s lives. They praised their children, were affectionate, and showed a genuine interest in their activities.
There was an open expression of feelings in these families and mutual communication. This isn’t a surprising result. Love matters.
Second, effective parents had a somewhat authoritative parenting style.
Parents Ineffective Style Can Be Damaging To Raising Children
Expectations were clearly expressed, and limits were enforced. The rules … Read More... “Some Advice on How to Raise Happy Children”