10 Styles of Perfecting Parenthood

 

There is no such thing as a perfect parent. All parents have their own unique way of doing things. If you are going to try to become a perfect parent don’t be surprised if you fall short. The best thing you can do is realize your not perfect and learn to laugh at your imperfections (see Fatherhood)

As a father, I like to look at other parents and compare styles. I have discovered not all styles would work for me. I thought I might share some of the various styles I have seen others working on while they are perfecting parenthood!

 

1. Puzzling Parenting - A newer parenting style usually composed of first time parents. These are the parents that are lucky if they know which end of a child the diaper goes on! They are also the parents that have seen the movie Raising Arizona and use it as a model for good parenting.

2. Picky Parenting – Parents that never have any fun. They over-analyze every decision in life. You will find these people perfecting parenthood by holding up lines in stores while trying to choose the best baby products.

3. Panicky Parenting - A parenting style that has the motto “Don’t Panic!” These parents prepare for anything! They carry diaper bags that are the same size and weight of a 10-year-old child! (Note: On the plus side if you are ever in need of an item they probably have it on them.)

4. Periodic Parenting – Group is usually made up of parents that have three or more children. They are perfecting parenthood by having a hollow, tired look of defeat. Parents realize the majority vote now lies with the children. (Note: Sadly, they often feel defeated and  pick their battles carefully if they aren’t asleep.)

5. Perky Parenting – Can be one of the most annoying of the parenting styles. This group of parents makes you feel like you didn’t drink enough coffee this morning. In fact, they allow you to know there is not enough coffee in the world to make you ever that perky. (Note : The perky parents are generally the ones running around saying, “I did it!” The problem is no one can figure out what they did.)

6. Personal Parenting – This group of parents wants to become everyone’s friends, personally. If they don’t know you, they soon will. Don’t be surprised if they call at 3 A.M. in the morning to tell you that your porch light is out. Any teenage children this group of parents has are generally found hiding at other people’s homes trying to disassociate with their best friends, their parents. (Note: Be ready to learn the theme song from Friends “I’ll Be There For You.“)

7. Pitiful Parenting – They are also known as “The Woe is Me” group. Bad things are a fact of life! When something bad happens it looks for this group of parents. They are perfecting parenthood by broadcasting their woes to the world. They potentially look for trouble. A common conversation in one of their households would be, “I might have a flat tire today. I better stay home.”

8. Polite Parenting – Parents that know the phrase, “thank you” in every language. They are overly polite and thinks manners should always be first. You will always find one of these parents holding the door for someone else (note: If two parents of this style are trying to enter the same door it is possible to have  a stand-off until another parent shows up and opens the door for both)

9. Progressive Parenting – A parenting style defined by not knowing who you are. Parents in this group are perfecting parenthood by always looking for the next “big thing” in child development. (Note: The one major problem with this group is they never get to finish anything they start to actually see if it works before moving on to a newer trend.)

10. Punctual Parenting – Timing is everything. They schedule life down to brushing teeth and a 2 minute shower. Children of this group are generally potty trained by 6 months or younger. (Note: The first time a child ever sees Santa Claus they will ask for a day planner.)

So do you know any of these parents? Looking at myself I have pieces of most of them. I think it’s when we go to extremes that it becomes bad. What is your parenting style like? Can you see yourself in any of these? Tell me in the comments….

Be sure to check out Andi-Roo at TheWorld4Realz who is writing about a month of controversy in the A to Z +1 August blogging challenge with me! Today is the letter “P” for Perfecting Parenthood.

Thursday August 23rd - Dads of Divas will feature me in their series Dads in the Limelight! Check it out!

 

Tags: baby products, first time parents, imperfections, parenthood, parenting style