It is important that parents are aware of each other’s parenting styles because otherwise this can cause a lot of power struggle as well as set children up to have a very unstable childhood because of a lack of consistency.

Regardless of whether both parents have the same parenting style or not or whether the parents agree with each other’s parenting style - the first step is awareness of what the common styles of parenting are.

From there communication and potential acceptance, negotiation and/or compromise are so much easier when both parents can conceptualize and give their styles a name.

There are three basic types of parenting styles - Brick-wall, Back-bone and Liaises-faire. The following is a brief definition of each:

Brick-wall: The parenting style is completely strict, everyone has to follow all rules, structure and guidelines - there are no options or movement within the structure.

Back-bone: There are basic guidelines, structures and rules but within the guidelines family members can do as they like when they like.

Liaises- faire: There are no structures, rules or guidelines; everyone is pretty much on their own doing what they would like to do whenever they want to.

Which one is your parenting style? Is yours the same as your partners?

A less well known style of parenting is a parenting system developed by Dr. Robby called the Better Parents, Better Kids Program. (www.betterparentsbetterkids.com)

What makes the Better Parents, Better Kids System so different is that it focuses on two main principles:

1) That your children’s greatest and most influential role model in their life is you, the parent, so if we bring out the best in you as a parent, then you in turn can bring the best out in your children.

2) The other principle is that we are all unique, including our children, so we need to teach our children about following what is highest and best for them as well as we, as parents need to understand and support their uniqueness.

The Better Parents, Better Kids System can be interwoven with some of basic types of parenting styles such as Liaises-faire and Back-bone depending on the needs and workstyle that works best with each individual child.

By having a better understanding of what your parenting style is and the parenting style of your partner, this sets the platform for the next stage of determining how to work with each other if your parenting styles are different.

For practical information on communication and negotiation training as well as more information about the Better Parents, Better Kids System – check out the Better Parents, Better Kids Parenting Home Study Program E-book at http://www.betterparentsbetterkids.com/info/ . You can also reach Dr. Robby or Tanis Nicole Wright, Director/Head Coach of the Better Parents Better Kids Program at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .