Do It For The Kids

Parenting styles play an important role in helping children develop through the pandemic and beyond

- Ilse de Beer

Your parenting style influences your child’s emotional and mental health. Just how much is becoming increasingly evident in some young children emerging from several months of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unaddressed anxiety, boredom, social isolation and lowered physical activity can lead to emotional and mental health troubles in children. We also know that parenting styles have a profound influence on children’s mental wellbeing and ultimately how they develop into young adults. During the unprecedented lockdown, many children were anxious, isolated, inactive and bored. Being at home for such an extended period of time, with either an overly authoritarian or neglectful parent, has been emotionally debilitating for some. Faced with going back into the world, these young people may struggle and could possibly become withdrawn, anxious and even depressed.

There are four main parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, democratic/well-balanced and uninvolved. Often, parents don’t fit into just one category. However, during lockdown, parents faced unique challenges in homeschooling, entertaining and disciplining their children, which may have contributed to an overemphasis on the manner in which they parent.

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