Learning to be a good parent is a never-ending process which can be complicated and overwhelming at times. Parenting styles can heavily influence a child’s life and personality development. No pressure!

Although every parent wants the best for their child, can we be overdoing it? What would you do to ensure your child’s success? When is enough, enough?

Perhaps our good intentions are creating young adults who cannot navigate adulthood or exhibit a “failure to launch” – meaning young people, 19 to 28, lack the essential life skills necessary to make the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Read the list below? Do any of these parenting styles sound familiar? Maybe the key good parenting is a balance? Learning to empower our children to make decisions, allowing them to experience natural consequences (if they don’t do their homework what happens?), and parenting with adulthood in mind.

Lawnmower Parent

These parents are called lawnmower parents because they “mow” a path for their children removing all obstacles that may cause discomfort, challenges, or struggles. This parent not only helps their child but probably does a lot of the work for the child or at least checks to make sure that everything is correct.

Tiger parent

The tiger parent is known for putting excellence in academics and carefully chosen extracurricular activities above leisure time. Parents are authoritarian and have high expectations. This is tough-love parenting, where children are expected to respond to challenges.

Elephant parent

The complete opposite of tiger parenting, these parents value emotional security and connection. Independent sleeping may not occur during the first five years. These parents seek not to raise their voices and value encouragement over academic or athletic success.

Helicopter parent

Parents tend to hover, and this can continue through college. Parents may be over-involved and always assessing risk, thus preventing children from developing that skill.

Dolphin parent

Parents value raising happy, healthy, and motivated kids without turning into a tiger. These parents seek collaboration, flexibility, and balance. The acronym POD further defines this parenting style. P for play, O for others, and D for downtime, which includes rest, exercise, and sleep.

Attachment parent

Attachment parents desire close contact between baby and caregiver through breastfeeding, baby wearing, and co-sleeping. These parents use natural closeness rather than the clock to determine their babies’ needs. Parents also emphasize role modeling and positive discipline by using praise and rewards for good behavior and loss of privileges for poor behavior.

Free-range parent

These parents allow their kids to walk to school or a nearby playground alone. Young children may be allowed to ride public transportation or shop alone. Free-range parents believe this freedom promotes independence and self-reliance. But it’s not been without controversy as others have seen it as dangerous and neglectful. Learn more about Free-range parenting and the ways it can benefit you child’s development.