How we parent has a big impact on our kids. Do you hover? Or do you let ’em run? Find out what your parenting style is, plus what it means for your family.
Walk onto any playground, and you’ll immediately notice several different parenting styles at work. On the jungle gym, there’s a mama hovering over her child to make sure he’s safe. Another mama watches on calmly from the benches as her barefooted child explores the mud puddles. A third mama races her child on the monkey bars.
We all have slightly different ways of parenting our children. And, interestingly, studies suggest this may have a real impact on our children—both in the short term and the long term.
Types of Parents
So what kind of parent are you? Even if you’re a natural mama, the way you parent can be very different.
- Are you a tiger mama? You are all about a little tough love. Tiger mamas firmly believe that their main goal is to ensure their child succeeds in this world. You believe that a parent should be just that—not a friend.
- A free range parent? You have no problem letting your kids run a little wild. Who cares if they’re covered in dirt, if they’re happy. And walking to school or playing outside alone? That’s no problem in your book. Free range parents main goal is to raise strong, independent children.
- Attached to the max? Attachment parents are all about that parent-child bond. That looks a little different for everyone, but it likely means you’re a fan of the family bed, extended breastfeeding, and basically anything that helps you build a tight-knit family—even if it means time for yourself is limited.
- Helicopter parent? Other people might see it as hovering, but you don’t view your style of parenting that way. Helicopter parents just want to do what’s best for their baby and keep them safe, and that generally means staying on top of everything—all the time.
So what type of parent are you? Do you have a hunch? Take our just-for-fun quiz to find out if you’re right!
Quiz: What Kind of Parent Are You?
Was our parenting quiz spot on? Were you totally surprised by the results you got? Let us know what you think by sharing your results in the comments below.
Other Fun Quizzes to Try
Did you like this parenting quiz? I’ve got a number of other fun quizzes that might interest you.