Quiz: Are you a Democrat, Dictator, or Doormat?

To determine your parenting style, take this little quiz by circling what you would do in each of the following scenarios.  Of course, “it depends on the situation,” but if…

…Your child intentionally spills juice!  What are you most likely to do?

1. Yell
2. Firmly admonish your child, tell him to clean it up, and educate about how to be careful with juice.
3. Clean it up while your child runs off to spill something elsewhere

…Your child hits you!  What are you most likely to do?

1. Yell or hit back
2. Firmly hold down your child’s hands or use “time-out”
3. Threaten without follow through, laugh, or cry.

…Your child runs away when you try to dress him/her!  What are you most likely to do?

1. Yell while “forcefully” dressing Junior.
2. “Firmly” dress Junior.
3. Chase, plead, bribe, to get Junior dressed, or simply give up.

…Your child tantrums (screams without posing a danger)!  What are you most likely to do?

1. Yell and instruct Junior to “STOP”
2. Ignore the tantrum until  s/he calms
3. Pick him/her up, or offer toys or food.

…Your child refuses to wear the jacket you offer!  What are you most likely to do?

1. Yell and “force”  the jacket on.
2. Offer other jackets, but still insist that your child wear a jacket.
3. Give up on the jacket idea, and turn the heat up high in the car.

This is a little “test” that helps examine your “Parenting Style.”  In the field of early child development, it is generally agreed that being a “Democratic” parent (in most but not all situations) will lead to optimal adjustment for children.  A “Democratic” parent has two-way communication with a child, and exercises control by offering choices in the form of “Yes-When” Deals (“Yes you can have/do (what you want), when you do (what I request)”), has reasonable expectations about a child’s behavior, and is warm in response to a child’s positive behavior and firm (but never harsh) in response to negative behavior.