| Regardless of your personality as a paretn, you can | | | | Studies show that the authoritative style - which |
| homeschool and succeed with it. Homeschooling your | | | | balances high expectations with recognition of |
| childis a journey of a lifetime and many parents have | | | | children's autonomy - is associated with |
| the right authoritative personality to do it well. If you | | | | self-confidence, persistence, academic success, and |
| don't, you can learn some of the skills and still apply | | | | social competence. Authoritative parents provide |
| them to successful homeschooling, especially in | | | | guidance and support for education and development |
| teaching your child. | | | | of personal interests, set expectation standards, and |
| Do you know someone, perhaps a friend or neighbor, | | | | encourage responsible independence - a style that |
| who seems to live life as a full-time explorer, always | | | | results in children's broader and more active |
| trying new activities, taking classes, traveling, cooking | | | | exploration of career choices later in life. |
| up exotic recipes with ingredients you've never even | | | | While an authoritarian parenting style is often |
| heard of? I do. I think of him as a person who has | | | | associated with success in school, the pressure to live |
| never lost the love of learning...who never tires of | | | | up to their parents' expectations can eventually |
| taking on new challenges. (Yes, he's more of a starter | | | | produce emotionally unhealthy children. Conversely, |
| than a finisher, but I think that's what keeps the kick in | | | | indulgent and uninvolved parental styles - marked by a |
| his step.) | | | | lack of guidance or encouragement - are likely to lead |
| It's certainly not an ideal lifestyle for everyone. In fact, | | | | to children who have few well developed personal |
| many of us would probably welcome a day or two | | | | interests and find it difficult to identify a personally |
| with a few less challenges to overcome, especially if | | | | satisfying area of study. |
| you have a young child at home! On the other hand, | | | | So what can you do to adopt more of an authoritative |
| consider those characteristics described above not as | | | | style and encourage your child to explore, discover, |
| an adult's approach to life, but as a child's approach to | | | | and learn? Here are some tips on how to help your |
| learning. Isn't that joy of discovery exactly what we | | | | child begin the journey of a lifetime. |
| want to encourage; to start our children on a lifelong | | | | Tell your child stories about your work. Discuss the |
| journey of exploring and facing challenges? | | | | importance of finding work that is personally rewarding. |
| Numerous research studies have examined the | | | | For younger children, choose a colorful example of |
| influence of parents and the family on children's | | | | your job and describe it in concrete terms. Turn events |
| willingness to explore and take risks. When young | | | | into simple plotlines, focusing on the "characters" and |
| children experience close, trusting relationships, that | | | | different ways to handle problems. Is there a bad guy |
| security encourages them to try out new behaviors, to | | | | girl? How about a hero? Help your child understand |
| risk faltering or even failing. Researchers are now | | | | why you think so. |
| investigating the possibility that these feelings carry | | | | Read with your child and keep good literature in your |
| over into young adulthood and similarly encourage or | | | | home. Great stories teach and inspire, and your child's |
| inhibit risk-taking in education and job choices. | | | | questions and comments about the stories provide |
| Parenting style also have been shown to have a | | | | opportunities to share thoughts, beliefs, and concerns |
| significant influence on children's feelings of | | | | about values and behavior. |
| self-confidence and personal responsibility. | | | | Encourage learning, taking on challenges, and |
| Researchers have identified four types of parenting | | | | developing new skills. Give your child opportunities to |
| styles: | | | | recognize natural talents, explore interests, and identify |
| 1. authoritarian - very demanding but not responsive 2. | | | | academic strengths and weaknesses. Follow up by |
| indulgent - very responsive but not demanding | | | | suggesting related activities and finding additional |
| 3. authoritative - both demanding and responsive | | | | information together. |
| 4. uninvolved - neither demanding nor responsive | | | | |