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