What's your parenting style?

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Quiz Questions

1.
Your toddler paints all over the kitchen walls. Would you...
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- A.
  tell him he drew a nice picture, but he isn’t allowed to draw on the walls because paint belongs on paper?
- B.
  tell him his picture is lovely and help him put the paints away?
- C.
  laugh and post what he did on Instagram?
- D.
  immediately and sternly pick him up and put him in time-out for 20 minutes?
2.
Your school-age child suddenly refuses to go to school. Would you...
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- A.
  insist that she go and tell her to get over it?
- B.
  tell her it’s no big deal, just do the best she can?
- C.
  talk to her about it and tell her to ride it out?
- D.
  ask her why she doesn’t want to go and talk to her teacher to see what’s going on?
3.
Your toddler wakes up every night and cries. Would you...
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- A.
  pick him up right away and feed him so you can go back to sleep?
- B.
  reprimand him and tell him to go back to sleep?
- C.
  begin a sleep training plan?
- D.
  stay in bed and let him cry himself to sleep?
4.
You find information about birth control in your teen daughter's backpack. Would you...
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- A.
  question her immediately about why she has it?
- B.
  feel relieved she's not going to get pregnant because she's sensible about birth control?
- C.
  ask her if she thinks she needs birth control (for sex, acne... there are many potential uses) and then tell her you'll go to the doctor with her?
- D.
  talk to her about the emotional and physical problems that can result from sex at her age?
5.
Your toddler bites kids at daycare. Would you...
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- A.
  reprimand him and put him in a 30-minute time-out when he comes home?
- B.
  not worry because he'll grow out of it?
- C.
  talk to his teacher and ask how she deals with his biting?
- D.
  talk with his teacher and tell her to immediately put him in time-out when he bites?
6.
Your teen is dating a young adult who you feel is a bad influence. But your teen insists it's love. Would you...
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- A.
  tell her you're concerned about her and don't know what to do?
- B.
  tell her she needs to break up with him right away and ground her for being with him?
- C.
  let her continue to date him, trusting that in time she'll realize he's a bad influence?
- D.
  ask her why she likes him, get to know him, and keep talking to her about their relationship?
7.
Your child's teacher writes you a note that says your son can't concentrate and is always getting out of his seat. Would you...
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- A.
  call your doctor and ask for a prescription for an ADHD medication?
- B.
  talk to your son about his school work and tell him that you will arrange an evaluation for ADHD for him?
- C.
  tell him to stop and that he can control his behavior?
- D.
  talk to him about his problems and ask him what he thinks you should do?
8.
Your toddler isn't fully potty trained and wears a diaper during the day. When he needs to poop, he runs and hides. When he's done, he comes out from hiding. Would you...
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- A.
  tell him he's too old to do that and make him come out and finish on the toilet?
- B.
  ignore him for now because he'll grow out of it?
- C.
  tell him it's normal and he shouldn't worry about it or feel bad?
- D.
  when he's done, take him to the bathroom, remove his diaper, then sit him on his own potty?
9.
Your pre-teen tells you that when he's around a group of kids in the hall at school, he gets sweaty and won't talk to anyone. Would you...
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- A.
  take him to his pediatrician so the three of you can talk about it?
- B.
  tell him that all kids get nervous sometimes and that he can learn to control it?
- C.
  tell him to just ignore it because it will pass?
- D.
  talk to him about specific situations when this feeling comes up and tell him to just ride it out?
10.
How old is your child/children? (check all that apply)
- A.
  Toddler (1-4)
- B.
  School-aged (5-8)
- C.
  Preteen (9-12)
- D.
  Teen (13-19)
11.
Do you have a son or daughter?
- A.
  Son/s only
- B.
  Daughter/s only
- C.
  Both!
12.
Last question! Are you a mom or dad?
- A.
  Mom
- B.
  Dad

Quiz Outcomes

1.
You're an...Indulgent Parent
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Thank you so much for taking my Parenting Style Quiz!I’m excited to share your quiz results with you, but first I want to share why I’m helping parents like you raise great kids. Like you, I’ve known the frustration of arguing with kids, struggling to discipline, and worrying about whether or not they’ll turn out to be great adults. So whatever you’re feeling today, I’ve been there because I’ve raised four of my own.Early in my career as a pediatrician, a mentor told me this:‍"If you really want to help your patients, help their parents. Because once their parents feel good about parenting, you don’t have to worry about the kids."I have spent almost thirty years writing, teaching, speaking and working as a practicing pediatrician. My life’s work has been about equipping parents and children with the tools necessary for health and happiness.After writing six books and speaking to thousands of families of all shapes and sizes, my goal has never changed: I’m here to help strong parents build strong children for a brighter future.There is a lot of parenting advice out there, and I can say that a whole lot of it isn’t based on medical, psychological, or time-tested truth. My advice is based on all of that (and more). If you want to raise great kids, then it starts with you – and I’m here to help.I believe you can win the heart of your child, and it is easier than you think.
2.
You're a...Hands off parent
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When it comes to your children, you take a laissez-faire approach. You encourage them to make their own decisions and fend for themselves in the world because that's how they'll learn best.You are neutral. You don’t want to teach your child right and wrong because you want him to find out for himself. You won’t set boundaries or discipline your child because you believe that he has everything he needs to live a good life inside of him.Sometimes you wonder why your child won’t communicate openly with you. But it might just be that she feels you’re uninterested or don’t have enough time and energy to hear her out.We're all juggling a hundred and one things, and sometimes it’s overwhelming. But it’s important that your child doesn't feel like she's the last item on your mile-long to-do list.What to do if you're a hands-off parent...1. Pay AttentionPay closer attention to your child’s feelings and behaviors. These may show you that he is insecure or that he feels out of control. Your presence and attention will help him greatly with this.2. Console Your ChildWhen your child cries, don’t just tell her that she's OK and she can handle it. Pick her up and console her. This is what will make your child feel safe and protected, and that protection from you is what will ultimately make her believe she can pick herself up when she falls and that she will be OK.3. Ask Why QuestionsIf your child wants to walk to the neighbor’s house when he’s only two years old, ask him why. If he gives you an answer and you see that he wants to go but doesn’t need to go, keep him home and safe. Continue to ask him why questions as he gets older. Understanding your child's motivations will help you understand his behavior, which will help you communicate with him better.Let me introduce myself!Hi, I’m Dr. Meg Meeker 👋 I have spent almost thirty years writing, teaching, speaking and working as a practicing pediatrician. My life’s work has been about equipping parents and children with the tools necessary for health and happiness. After writing six books and speaking to thousands of families of all shapes and sizes, my goal has never changed — to help strong parents build strong children for a brighter future.There is a lot of parenting advice out there, and I can say that a whole lot of it isn’t based on medical, psychological or time-tested truth. My advice is, and that matters.Looking for a few more resources? 1. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.2. Listen to my podcast, "Parenting Great Kids"3. Read my blog at meekerparenting.com.P.S Expect to see more parenting tips in your inbox soon to help you in your parenting journey.
3.
You’re a... Balanced Parent
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You love your child and are unafraid to set boundaries. You are consistent with showing love and affection, but when your child acts up, you set clear consequences and follow through. Your household has rules and behavioral expectations, but you don’t depend on your child following them blindly. Instead, you explain what the rules are and why they're important to follow.You give your child a sense of safety and he trusts you. You understand that making rules and following through with consequences draws your child closer to you, rather than pushing him away.Even the perfectly balanced parent could use a little help sometimes since kids are anything but balanced.What to do if you're a balanced parent...1. Give Consistent AffectionThough you've learned how to set boundaries well, don't forget to be affectionate toward your child. Physical touch is critical for most kids' well-being. When they are held, they feel protected, and when they feel protected, they feel seen, cared for, and loved.2. Give Consistent AffirmationVerbally affirm your child regularly. I always say when it comes to compliments, compliment your child's character, not her looks or her grades or achievements. You can certainly mention these things, but emphasize who they are and who you're seeing them become. 3. Schedule Self-CareOne of the kindest things you can do for your kids is regularly scheduling in self-care. Whether it’s a relaxing bath or a half-hour journaling, by giving yourself space to process and reflect, you’ll be able to show up a better you. Schedule your self-care time. If it's on the calendar, you are more likely to do it.Let me introduce myself!Hi, I’m Dr. Meg Meeker 👋 I have spent almost thirty years writing, teaching, speaking and working as a practicing pediatrician. My life’s work has been about equipping parents and children with the tools necessary for health and happiness. After writing six books and speaking to thousands of families of all shapes and sizes, my goal has never changed — to help strong parents build strong children for a brighter future.There is a lot of parenting advice out there, and I can say that a whole lot of it isn’t based on medical, psychological or time-tested truth. My advice is, and that matters.Looking for a few more resources? 1. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.2. Listen to my podcast, "Parenting Great Kids"3. Read my blog at meekerparenting.com.P.S Expect to see more parenting tips in your inbox soon to help you in your parenting journey.
4.
You’re a... Strict Parent
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When it comes to your child, it’s your way or the highway. You push her to perform bigger and better than her peers. You want the best, and anything less is unacceptable.While your high behavioral expectations come from a place of genuine love and concern — after all, you only want your children to achieve their full potential — sometimes they might come off a bit strong.Your parenting can sometimes resemble a military Sargent rather than an affectionate and firm parent. Your kids will always obey you but will feel disengaged from you because you're a bit more comfortable controlling your kids’ behaviors than showing them affection.Although your intentions are for the best, children raised by overly authoritarian parents often end up with low self-esteem and high rates of anxiety, so consider softening your approach for long-term success.What to do if you're a strict parent...1. Take InventoryHow many times a day do you reprimand your kids? How many times do you yell at them? Do you spend most of your time with your kids disciplining them? If the answer is yes, take a step back. Reconsider your approach. Don't discipline for small behaviors. Stick with disciplining for the big ones, such as talking back to you or blatantly disobeying you. 2. Show Physical AffectionMake a concentrated effort to touch your child in a loving way three to four times a day. This may feel difficult or counterintuitive, but this touch will make your child feel loved and secure, which is essential for any child's self-esteem.3. Watch Your ToneHow do you talk to your child? What tone of voice do you use? Most strict parents have a stern or mean tone. Bring it down a notch. You can enforce discipline without a scary or mean voice. Your child should want to do what you say because he respects you, not because he's afraid of you. Let me introduce myself!Hi, I’m Dr. Meg Meeker 👋 I have spent almost thirty years writing, teaching, speaking and working as a practicing pediatrician. My life’s work has been about equipping parents and children with the tools necessary for health and happiness. After writing six books and speaking to thousands of families of all shapes and sizes, my goal has never changed — to help strong parents build strong children for a brighter future.There is a lot of parenting advice out there, and I can say that a whole lot of it isn’t based on medical, psychological or time-tested truth. My advice is, and that matters.Looking for a few more resources? 1. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.2. Listen to my podcast, "Parenting Great Kids"3. Read my blog at meekerparenting.com.P.S Expect to see more parenting tips in your inbox soon to help you in your parenting journey.

What's your parenting style?

Take this simple 12-question quiz to find out which of the four parenting types you are: Indulgent Hands-OffBalanced Strict Once you finish, you will get a few tips on parenting strategies based on your parenting type.

Quiz Questions

Quiz Outcomes