Check all the statements that you believe to be true for you.

1.		I believe that it is better not to have rules than to worry about breaking them.
2.		Children should obey their parents and not talk back.
3.		Children should be given choices.
4.		Children can get along pretty well if you just leave them alone.
5.		My own problems are so consuming I don’t have time or energy for my child.
6.		What I do won’t make a difference, so I’ve given up with my child.
7.		Sometimes children have a point.  I try to listen to them.
8.		I make the rules of my household.  Children should be punished for not following these rules.
9.		Children should be allowed their own sense of individuality.
10.		I have high standards which I expect my child to understand and I enforce rules consistently.
11.		Parents should do as much as they can for their children (making their beds, getting their snacks, dressing them).
12.		When my child misbehaves, I yell and threaten.
13.		If I discipline my child, I am afraid he/she won’t love me.
14.		I know what’s best for my child, after all I’m the parent.
15.		I let my child do what he/she wants because I want to avoid conflict.
16.		I have so many other things to do, the children will just have to make it on their own.

Find the numbers you checked below to discover your parenting style.  You will probably find that you possess characteristics of more than one style.  Once you understand these styles, you can make adjustments as you feel necessary to achieve the best outcomes for your child.

Positive	Demanding	Permissive	Unengaged
3	2	1	4
7	8	11	5
9	12	13	6
10	14	15	16

For a description of the styles and how they affect a child’s development, go to The importance of parenting.

1 This parenting quiz was developed by Joan E. LeFebvre, Professor, Department of Family Development, University of Wisconsin-Extension.  For more information, go to http://www.uwex.edu/ces/flp/pp/pdf/style.pdf.

 

 

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