Parenting is complicated, and I did not know we fall into a parenting style of being a Tiger, Dolphin, or Jellyfish. As I read about these three parenting styles, I was overwhelmed and thought, “Really, we are now Tigers, Dolphins, or Jellyfish?” I’ve heard of the “helicopter mom,” but this takes childrearing to an entirely different level! I have included a brief summary of each parenting style below. A more descriptive idea of each style can be found by visiting thestar.com and reading “Tiger mom make way for dolphins. What kind of parent are you?” by Lisa Evans.
Which Are You?
The Tiger: These parents/parents are very rigid; their desire to achieve is extremely high, and they do NOT tolerate any moments when their child(ren) displays temper tantrums, begins whining, and talks back. These households are constantly on the go, striving, by any means possible, to achieve success and betterment in their child(ren). There is a strong sense of micromanaging, and these parent(s) dictate the “when,” “who,” “how,” and “where” activities and conversations will take place. Their child(ren ) tends to be very organized and disciplined regarding their working ethic. They set goals and are very determined to reach whatever they set out to obtain.
The Dolphin: These people institute expectations and rules. They are huge advocates of learning to socialize and build strong relationships. They are firm yet flexible, giving their child(ren) a relaxed parenting style built around solid social connections. They are against over-parenting and the over-scheduled lives most families are currently living. The Dolphin parent(s) have rules and expectations but value creativity and independence. They strive to be a role model in raising their kids and encourage a collaborative approach.
Jellyfish: This parenting style contains few rules, low expectations, little confrontation, and less structure. These parent(s) allows for open communication and a relaxed “go with the flow”mentality. Their relationship with their child(ren) is more of a friendship than a parental role; they exude warmth and do not hold to a firm, consistent routine. These children develop high self-esteem and enormous independence and can struggle in a structured environment.
Whether my way or your way of parenting falls into one specific category or combines two or three, what truly matters is that we parent our children in a safe, loving environment where they feel free to become whoever they want.
