Quiz: What kind of parent are you?

1. Which statement do you think matches your parenting style best?
A: My children must obey me because I’m the parent.
B: I think it’s important that I am my child’s best friend in order to establish trust.
C: I think sometimes you need to be a friend to your child, and other times you need to act as an authority figure.
D: My child needs to do what is best for them.
E: My child needs me and I have to make sure to be there for them all the way.
F: If my child needs me, they will come to me and I will help them as far as I can.
2. Which statement best describes your parenting values?
A: Traditional parenting values are necessary to ensure that children know who is in charge.
B: My child’s happiness comes first. Even if I have to compromise or give in a little bit, what they want is important.
C: Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. There are times when you can give in a little and times when you need to put your foot down for the benefit of your child in the long run.
D: I can’t live my child’s life for them. They have to take responsibility for their own life and make their own decisions.
E: I sometimes have to put the needs of my child before my own to ensure that they only get the best opportunities in life.
F: I give my child a long rope so they can learn and develop at their own pace, but leave the door open for them to come to me if they need guidance.
3. How do you set rules?
A: I feel it is not necessary to discuss new rules or let my children influence my decision to make new rules.
B: I set rules but often make exceptions to make my child happy
C: When setting rules, I prefer to consult my child to get their opinion, but I ultimately decide whether their input will change anything.
D: I very rarely set and enforce rules. If my child makes a mistake, they must learn from it themselves.
E: I am very involved in my child’s life and can usually prevent them from doing bad things before they do it.
F: My child doesn’t need too many rules. I want them to learn and develop their sense of responsibility organically.
4. Which of the following is the most important in cultivating obedience?
A: Respect. My children must be obedient out of respect for my authority as their parent.
B: Obedience is not necessary. My first priority is to raise a happy child.
C: I feel that you need to be tough at times and gentle at others. This balance will raise a child that is responsible enough to know what is right and what is wrong.
D: I don’t need obedience from my child. They do what is right and wrong for them all by themselves.
E: My child is rarely disobedient, because I am often involved in decision-making.
F: Children will learn to be obedient when they take the fall themselves. From every fall, they learn.
5. If you need to discipline your children, do you feel it is necessary to explain to them why they are being punished?
A: I don’t think it is necessary to explain the reason for punishments. They know what they did wrong.
B: I think explain to them what they did wrong is sufficient in most cases – punishments can be unnecessary.
C: I think it is important to outline the punishment and reasons for punishment clearly and calmly before you punish your child.
D: The consequences of my child’s actions is punishment enough.
E: It is not necessary to punish my children very often. I usually notice the warning signs before it turns to trouble.
F: I feel the punishment should fit the crime. Everyday troubles can often turn into great learning opportunities.
6. How do you feel about negotiating or compromising with your child?
A: I don’t think parents should compromise or negotiate with their children. I think the parent knows best.
B: I think it is absolutely necessary to come to an agreement with your child on matters that affect them.
C: Listening to your child can provide insight you didn’t have before, but ultimately, I have to discern what is good for everyone concerned.
D: My child usually determines their own life. As long as they don’t interfere with mine too much, there isn’t much of a need for compromise.
E: I tend to agree with my child on most things, especially the more important matters.
F: I think there is a place for compromising in parenting, but you ultimately know when you should and shouldn’t compromise.
7. How do you feel about making exceptions when it comes to rules?
A: I don’t make exceptions. Rules are rules and they must be followed.
B: I think making an exception to put a smile on your child’s face won’t do too much harm.
C: One should weight the harm against the good and make a decision based on that.
D: I leave it up to my child to determine their rules and exceptions themselves and to live with the consequences.
E: My child rarely needs exceptions.
F: If my child understands the consequences and is willing to live with them, I’ll usually allow it.
8. What is your reaction when your child underperforms?
A: There must be consequences. My child has no responsibilities other than doing well in academics and extra-mural activities.
B: My child does not live for achievements so it doesn’t bother me much.
C: I prefer to discuss constructive methods of solving problems with my child in these situations.
D: My child’s performance and achievements are not my responsibility.
E: I will assess obstacles and complications with my child and assure that they are all addressed.
F: We all have ups and downs, I’ll keep an eye on it and intervene if it becomes a trend.
9. Do you think your child knows boundaries?
A: My child(ren) know(s) what is right and what is wrong and they are expected to act accordingly.
B: We don’t really have boundaries and borders, what is mine is theirs and what is theirs is mine.
C: My child knows the boundaries, but they can be changed for good reason.
D: We tend to live our lives around one another.
E: I feel that sometimes it is I who oversteps boundaries.
F: I think my child and I have a good understanding of one another’s boundaries.
10. Do you encourage your child(ren) to talk about their feelings?
A: Rarely. My job as a parent is to make sure they grow up to be respectful and productive members of society.
B: It is very important that my child talks about their feelings.
C: My child can talk to me about their feelings and I am happy to listen and offer help.
D: My child’s feelings are theirs to deal with.
E: I’m involved enough in my child’s life to know when they are upset and why.
F: My child can come to me to talk about their feelings, and often I can use these opportunities to teach them emotional intelligence.


Mostly A: Authoritarian parenting
Not to be confused with Authoritative parenting, authoritarian parents live by the words “because I’m the parent”.
Children of authoritarian parents know exactly where the boundaries are and the consequences of misbehaving or violating rules.
On the down side, authoritarian parents can often lack flexibility and warmth with their black or white mentality.
Mostly B: Permissive parenting
The exact opposite of authoritarian parents, permissive parents lack the structure and authority that is characteristic to group A.
Permissive parents can often allow their children too much grace and leniency, no matter how bogus the behavior they are allowing.
Children of such parents know love and support very well, but well-intentioned love can often become compliance in their bad habits and behaviors.
Mostly C: Authoritative parenting
Authoritative parents are often credited for having very good balance between providing structure and providing a safe space for their children.
This parenting style tends to be the perfect compromise for children and their parents and has been shown to reduce conflict.
Mostly D: Uninvolved parenting
Often called Neglectful parenting, uninvolved parents have a tendency to give their children too much free space.
Children of uninvolved parents are more prone to anxiety and depression and often they are similar to permissive parents (category B), without providing the nurturing aspect.
Mostly E: Helicopter parenting
Helicopter is arguably one of the best known parenting types and are stereotypically parents who complete school projects for their child to ensure they get the best opportunities.
Children of helicopter parents can become dependent on their parents and often do not learn how to solve their own problems or withstand disappointment.
Mostly F: Free-range parenting
Free-range parenting is built on trust. Free-range parents trust their children to go out and explore the world all while making mistakes to learn from.
Free-range kids are routinely trusted with small tasks like walking to school without their parents or making simple meals at home. This parenting style is all about knowing your child’s capabilities and utilizing that in their emotional and intellectual development.