An authoritarian parent controls the child and doesn’t teach them the decision-making process, so they learn how to be controlled and follow orders.
The authoritative parent is a teacher who guides and refines the child’s decision making process. These kids learn how to be self-sufficient, responsible adults.
The most powerful tool you have is your parenting language. Talk to your child in ways that make them think about their behavior. Make the interactions less about anger and more about learning to negotiate. Each interaction is an opportunity to learn social skills. They learn how to control their impulses while considering others. It’s a “pay now or pay later” process and the price is really, really steep.
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