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You're a

guardian.

You're compassionate, warm, loving, and supportive which fosters a strong bond with your child. You set clear expectations and foster both independence and your child's autonomy. Your willingness to offer empathy and validation opens the door for meaningful connection.

Way to go! 

Your
super
power

Your Giving Nature

Guardians exhibit a combination of compassionate and authoritative parenting traits. Authoritative parenting (not to be confused with authoritarian) is generally considered the most effective parenting style, but like any approach, there are pros and cons to being a Guardian.

PROS

  • Warmth and Support: You are nurturing and responsive to your kid's emotional needs. You provide love, support, and encouragement, which creates a deep emotional connection between parent and child. By offering empathy and understanding, you build trust and security in your parent-child relationship.
  • Clear Expectations: You set clear and reasonable expectations for your child. You establish rules and boundaries, but also explain the reasons behind them, promoting understanding and cooperation.
  • Open Communication & Collaboration: You attempt to maintain open lines of communication with your child. You listen to their thoughts and feelings without judgment and encourage conversation, which helps build trust and mutual respect.
  • Firm but Fair: You focus on teaching and guiding, rather than punishment. Consequences are logical and consistent, helping your kid learn from their mistakes and develop self-discipline.
  • Fostering Independence: You respect your child as an individual with their own thoughts, feelings, and preferences. You encourage independence and autonomy, providing opportunities for decision-making and problem-solving, which fosters self-confidence.

PITFALLS

  • Time-Consuming: Authoritative parenting requires time and effort to maintain open communication, set clear expectations, and provide support and guidance. This can be challenging with busy schedules and complex kids.
  • Overprotective: Be mindful of your instinct to protect. When you're overprotective, you keep your child from learning grit and resilience through mistakes and failures.
  • Negotiation Pitfalls: Collaboration can lead to constant negotiation, conflicts, or power struggles, especially with literal kids. It requires patience and skill to find compromises that satisfy both parent and child. You may need to develop strong conflict resolution skills to navigate disagreements peacefully.
  • Inconsistency: Neurodivergent kids need consistency and predictability to feel safe. Balancing empathy and firm boundaries can be difficult. You may struggle to set limits or enforce rules without resorting to punitive measures, leading to inconsistencies in discipline
  • Risk of Permissiveness: Sometimes, you may struggle to enforce limits or say no to your kid, fearing it may damage your relationship. This can lead to overindulgence, which could hinder the development of self-control and resilience.

While Guardian-style parenting is associated with positive outcomes for kids and teens, it requires a careful balance of warmth and boundaries, consistent communication, and a willingness to adapt to your kid's individual needs and circumstances. Intentional effort, consistent practice, and ongoing learning is necessary to effectively find balance. Be cautious of the potential pitfalls and always let your child be your guide.

No matter what style parent you are…

You're driven by…

The NEED to help your child learn and grow with guidance.

The DESIRE for your kid to be a successful, happy adult.

The BELIEF that your kid deserves to be seen, heard, and understood.

We'reCHANGING the
neurodivergent experience.
Start your journey here.

Click to choose your entry point from the 3 options below to view resources for Guardians, targeted to exactly where you are right now.

Newbie

I have no idea where to start to help my child.

Still Struggling

I'm trying, but nothing I've done so far is helping enough.

Knowledgeable, but

I know there's always more to learn and I could use support and community.

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Back-to-School Prep Week is a series of live, DONE-WITH-YOU workshops. Together, we’ll prep you, your kid, and their teachers to stress less and succeed more.

I’m providing my roadmap for a more successful transition and school year and we’re going to get your prep done at the same time! 👏🏻

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