Every time a child encounters a challenging situation, whether it is a family conflict or mental pain, it has an impact on them in many ways. Adverse childhood experiences is a word specifically used to describe these kinds of unpleasant situations (ACEs). They are, in essence, potentially stressful events that children encounter, such as domestic abuse or divorce.

 

According to data from the National Survey of Children's Health, one in three children below the age of 18 copes with at least one adverse childhood event (ACE), and 14% deal with two or more ACEs. Divorces or separations cause ACEs around one-fourth of the time.

 

Negative experiences don't necessarily presage future issues; however, they increase a child's chance of developing mental health issues, physical harm, hazardous behaviours, contagious or chronic diseases, as well as a lack of resources or educational opportunities. Most significantly, concerning this subject, ACEs can raise the likelihood of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Protecting kids from these negative experiences might have prevented up to 21 million cases of depression, according to the CDC.

 

Types of parenting:

 

1. Authoritative parenting: This is regarded by many child development experts as the most sensible and successful parenting style. If you have realistic expectations for your kids, establish consistent and clear rules and boundaries, pay attention to their opinions, and are kind with praise, you may be considered an authoritative parent.

 

2. Authoritarian parenting: These parents don't care about popularity rankings since such factors aren't really important when it comes to making the appropriate decisions. What's right isn't always popular, and what's popular isn't always right, according to an old proverb. These parents prioritise discipline so that their children may be their best selves. When you're an authoritarian parent, you impose rigid restrictions on your kids and expect them to abide by them, you discipline them (sometimes harshly), you have high expectations of your kids and assume they'll live up to them, and you don't promote open communication.

 

3. Attachment parenting: Attachment parenting is a child-centred style of parenting in which you provide a safe, secure environment for your child. You hold, carry, and sometimes even sleep next to your child, so you get a lot of physical touch with them. Without a second thought, you attend to your child's requirements. You calm, reassure and assist your child to help them feel secure and cherished.

 

4. Permissive parenting: Permissive Parents are warm and kind. They differ from conventional parenting methods in that the children make the decisions instead of the parents. Being a lenient parent entails that you don't impose rigid restrictions or limits, don't constantly try to manage your kids; set few, if any, restrictions and let them make most of their judgments.

 

5. Free-range parenting: Children of free-range parents are allowed to wander and take risks, similar to chickens that are not caged, although with parental guidance and no parental supervision. With free-range parents, it's not "anything goes", permissive parenting is closest to that. Free-range parents let go of some of the reins, but not before setting boundaries and enforcing them as necessary. These parents give independence, responsibility, freedom and control.

 

6. Helicopter parenting: Parents that plan every detail of their child's life, including their friends, diet, and leisure activities are called aware, responsible and caring parents. The public could also refer to them as helicopter parents. These parents attempt to exert influence over several circumstances, lack faith in their child's — well, any child's — capacity to manage events as successfully as an adult would, constantly give their children advice; Jump in to fix their issues.

 

Remember that these parents are behaving out of love and concern for their children. They fervently desire the best for their children and do not want the errors of their priceless offspring to negatively impact their future.

 

Conclusion: There are so many styles of parenting and there is no ‘one size fits all approach to this. Your parenting style will be unique because your child is special in the ways that you understand best. According to research, raising your children in a way that is loving but not overbearing will result in the healthiest outcomes. But at the end of the day, we are all acting by our best judgement — or, as we all occasionally do, flying by the seat of our pants — out of love for our children. Ask your child's counsellor any questions you may have about parenting. If they are unable to assist you, they can suggest a mental health professional who can.