• You put a lot of effort into creating and maintaining a positive relationship with your child.
• You explain the reasons behind your rules.
• You enforce rules and give consequences, but take your child's feelings into consideration. 

These parents acknowledge their child’s feelings, while also making it clear that the adults are ultimately in charge. 

They invest time and energy into preventing behavior problems before they start and use positive discipline strategies to reinforce good behavior.

• You set rules but rarely enforce them.
• You don't give out consequences very often.
• You think your child will learn best with little interference from you.

These parents are lenient, only stepping in if there's a serious problem. When consequences are used, they don’t usually stick.

They take on more of a friend role than a parent. They encourage their children to talk with them about their problems, but they don't put much effort into discouraging poor choices or bad behavior. 

• You don't ask your child about school or homework.
• You rarely know where your child is or who she is with.
• You don't spend much time with your child.

These parents tend to have little knowledge of what their children are doing. There are few rules. Children may not receive much guidance, nurturing, or attention.

They expect children to raise themselves, and don't put much time or energy into meeting children's basic needs. Uninvolved parents may be neglectful, but it's not always intentional.

In reality, parents just don’t fit into one specific category. Situations rise where you may need to change your style, and that’s okay.

The studies are clear, however, that authoritative parenting is the best style.

With hard work and dedication to being the best parent you can be, you can maintain a healthy and positive relationship with your child while still establishing your authority.

Over time, your family will reap the benefits of a more authoritative style.