Family · Parenting
Parenting Styles Worksheet
Authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved
Diana Baumrind's four parenting styles map two dimensions — warmth and structure. Authoritative (high warmth + high structure) predicts the best child outcomes. This sheet finds where you actually live, not where you meant to.
The four styles
Authoritative — warm + structured. Rules explained, feelings heard, follow-through consistent.
Authoritarian — low warmth + high structure. "Because I said so." Obedience over connection.
Permissive — high warmth + low structure. Friend more than parent. Rules cave under pushback.
Uninvolved — low warmth + low structure. Checked out, whether by stress, addiction, or overwhelm.
Where I actually live most days (not where I meant to)
Where my co-parent lives — and how the mismatch shows up for the kids
Warmth audit — this week
Child
Warmth moments
Structure moments
One shift I'll try this week
Repair beats perfect
No parent stays authoritative all day. Kids don't need perfect parenting — they need parents who notice the miss and come back.