As we discuss and debate various styles of parenting a new one popped up that caught my interest. “Elephant mom”; i had certainly heard of helicopter and tiger and hippy but “elephant mom”; that was a surprise. But it was something familiar and something intuitive; elephants are majestic, graceful, nurturing and are known to bring good luck. We often see animal shows in which even a lion or a cheetah cannot catch and elephant baby; those elephants nurture, protect and watch. They gather together as a village to protect their young.
The term “elephant mom” was first brought up in a 2014 article by Priyanka Sharma-Sindhar in The Atlantic Magazine to describe her nurturing, sheltered upbringing. It is synonymous with allowing children more flexibility and choices rather than definitive and strict guidelines that need to be followed. They may rock their children to sleep whereas other parents would be apt to cry it out, they may be more focused on living in the moment and enjoying than fearing the future. They may allow more freedom but within safety, caution and guidelines. Oddly enough although more freedom is allowed, such as the Montessori Method of Learning there is actually an outcome which may be more healthy and safe. In other words a child who is allowed choices may eventually develop more self esteem and self direction than one who is frequently scolded and criticized.
One of the drawbacks of nurture, protection and choices may be a concern that children may become more dependent on their parents and unable to solve their own problems. It may lead to more adjustment issues later on as a young adult without close proximity to parents and family.
Parenting styles can often be mixed and matched during the earliest phases of a child’s life; it is one option to further explore and learn.
Dr. Priti Kothari
Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatry
Dr. Priti Kothari is a board certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist with fellowship training at John Hopkins Medical Center. Dr. Kothari completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University with a major in Anthropology and a concentration in Women’s Studies. She then went on to perform research in Eating Disorders at Hunter College/CUNY with an affiliation to Cornell Medical Center. She completed Medical School at Ross University and did her Adult Psychiatry Training at University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Hospitals. Subsequently, she completed Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Training at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
FAQs
In the 1960s, psychologist Diana Baumrind identified three main styles of parenting: authoritarian, authoritative and permissive. A fourth style, neglectful, was later added in the 1980s by Stanford researchers Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin.
What are elephant parenting styles? ›
The term elephant parent refers to a parent who is very nurturing and protective and tends to focus on the emotions of his or her child over academic or athletic success. An elephant parent is relaxed about their child's academic achievement or sporting prowess. Instead, they prize emotional security and connection.
What is the difference between elephant mom and tiger mom? ›
A tiger mom is one whose style of parenting emphasizes hard work and de-emphasizes the flexibility of just being a kid. The elephant mom and tiger mom are often described as opposites, one emphasizing achievement while the other emphasizes happiness.
What is a dolphin mom? ›
They are supportive: Dolphin parents try to find the right balance. They support their child with their education and other choices. However, they don't put pressure on their child or punish them too harshly. They aim to build a good bond so their child feels they can make mistakes and come to their parent for support.
What are the 4 P's of parenting? ›
4 P's Strategy
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents and caregivers use a 4-part strategy when helping their children develop social skills: Practice, Praise, Point out, and Prompt. These four steps can be used when adults notice that a child needs to work on a particular social skill.
What are the 4 C's of parenting? ›
Further detail about the four Cs outlines the significance of how parents can support children with a foundation of care, consistency, choices, and consequences and how they can be practiced in the counseling office.
What is jellyfish parenting? ›
Jellyfish parenting is a laid-back, relaxed, and flexible style of raising children. 1. Jellyfish parents go with the flow, follow their children's lead, and don't often set rules or enforce consequences. This approach can be great as children grow and learn more autonomy and independence, but also has some drawbacks.
What is an elephant mom? ›
Elephant mothers are fiercely nurturing and protective. Elephants teach their babies everything from how to stand, swim, how to find food, and how to protect themselves. Elephants live in very complex social matriarchal groups and all help to raise their young calves and females stay with their mothers for life!
What does being a helicopter parent mean? ›
Helicopter parenting is often referred to as the over part in over-parenting. It involves excessive levels of involvement and control by parents in their children's lives. A motivation for this parenting style is driven by the parents' worry that their child might come to harm or not flourish.
What is a dragon mom? ›
What is a dragon mom? A mother of a child with a life-limiting condition. Why pay attention to a dragon mom's words? At their best, dragon parents are mindful, conscious, and aware - skills that allow them to live and love in the now.
Instead of helicopter parents or smother mothers, I like to refer to these devoted moms and dads as umbrella parents. Good parents know what their children need, anticipate those needs, and take action. They are like weathermen who know when the rain is coming and are ready with a metaphorical umbrella.
What is a tiger parenting style? ›
Tiger parenting is a form of strict parenting, whereby parents are highly invested in ensuring their children's success. Specifically, tiger parents push their children to attain high levels of academic achievement or success in high-status extracurricular activities such as music or sports.
What are the 4 parenting styles and their effects? ›
Based on the combination of two dimensions – demandingness and responsiveness – they defined four parenting styles: authoritative (i.e., high demandingness and high responsiveness); authoritarian (i.e., high demandingness and low responsiveness); indulgent (i.e., low demandingness and high responsiveness); and ...
What is the most successful parenting style? ›
Authoritative (also known as balanced) parenting is widely regarded as the most effective style because it provides kids with both security and support. However, incorporating permissive or authoritarian elements into a balanced approach can be useful when parenting a child with atypical needs.
What parenting style do psychologists prefer? ›
The authoritative parenting style is the most effective and preferred parenting style by child psychologists. This type of parenting style helps prepare your child to lead a well-balanced and successful life physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and academically.
What are the 4 types of parenting styles and their effects on children? ›
The 4 types of parenting styles are authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful parenting style. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and psychologists worldwide, the authoritative parenting style is the best. The neglectful parenting style is linked to the worst outcomes in children.
As we discuss and debate various styles of parenting a new one popped up that caught my interest. “Elephant mom”; i had certainly heard of helicopter and tiger and hippy but “elephant mom”; that was a surprise. But it was something familiar and something intuitive; elephants are majestic, graceful, nurturing and are known to bring good luck. We often see animal shows in which even a lion or a cheetah cannot catch and elephant baby; those elephants nurture, protect and watch. They gather together as a village to protect their young.
