Authoritative parenting might not be what you think it is - our expert told us everything there is to know about the method, and why it's so wildly different to authoritarian parenting.
Although it might sound slightly regimental, authoritative parenting isn’t entirely different from gentle parenting. Parents choosing this style remain nurturing and responsive to their child’s needs, but limit unwanted behaviour with firm rules - they listen to what their child has to say, but use discussion and reasoning if they don’t accept their child’s opinion. The authoritative method has been linked with beneficial outcomes for children in areas of life including relationships, academic outcomes, and mental health. Parents who implement authoritative parenting have reported feeling content and enjoying their parenting journey.
