Parenting Styles, Discipline & Marital Conflict

Different Parenting Styles Might Lead to Conflict – Registered Social Worker, and Canadian Certified Counsellor, Chantelle Beach, explains four common parenting styles that most parents fit into, and the ways in which different parenting styles, and in turn different approaches to discipline, could lead to conflict within the marital relationship.

​Parenting style can determine discipline strategies used. An authoritarian parent is more likely to use punishment, such as assigning additional chores for misbehaviour, while an authoritative parent would likely spend time explaining why the behaviour was inappropriate and decide, along with the child, what the child could do to rectify the situation. A permissive parent would try to fix the child’s ‘mistake’, and a neglectful parent would probably not even notice or acknowledge the misbehaviour.
 
Different discipline styles can lead to conflict among parenting partnerships. A permissive parent will spend their time covering up their child’s mistakes to avoid punishment from the authoritarian parent. An authoritative parent will bear the brunt of the disciplinarian load if the other parent has a neglectful style. This is one reason why it is so important for partners to be on the same page as parents.

​Many couples do not spend time discussing how they plan to parent and discipline their children prior to becoming parents, only to discover their differences once they are in the thick of parenting. Reading books, taking parenting courses, and talking with your partner are great ways to prepare for the adventure of parenting together.

Being a parent is not an easy job, and getting stuck in a cycle of conflict with your partner over differences in parenting style only adds to the challenge. If you and your partner are struggling to be a team as parents, counselling can help you get on track.
 
Contact Chantelle Beach, RSW, CCC, at www.vitalsoulcounselling.com, to book an appointment if you could use some parenting support and conflict resolution now.