"Temperament smart" parents are those who understand their own temperament and that of their child. It is not by chance, but by temperament, that one parent believes in being more lenient and the other in being more firm. Your "parenting style" depends on your temperament, how you were raised, and your knowledge and beliefs about child raising. So which parenting style is good for your child doesn't depend on what you believe in, what your temperament is, or how you were raised. It depends simply on one thing, and that is, what temperament type does your child belong to?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if temperaments of both parents and that of
the child matched like the round peg fits in the round hole? Genetic
studies
show that the average overlap between parent-child temperament is only
about 20%. Usually, children and parents with similar temperament
get on well together. A significant problem arises when the parents
and the child belong to temperamental extremes. When a child is of
average temperament, and is energetic and adaptive to new situations, differences
in parents' temperaments are less important. An average temperament
child will more easily adjust to the parents' temperament.
Take for instance, a child who is "intense and slow to adapt." Both parents also happen to be intense and slow to adapt. In this scenario, the longer the child takes to adapt to a new situation, the more the parents will become impatient and tough in demanding compliance from the child. However, the better approach with a child who is intense and slow to adapt would be to introduce a new situation gradually giving the child time to adapt to it.
Parents, who are aware of their child's temperament and of their own, are less likely to blame themselves or to fight with each other over how to manage a particular problem with regard to their child. Temperament smart parents also don't get as anxious when their child doesn't follow the normally expected pattern. For example, they would understand why their highly active and novelty-seeking toddler is curious about the closets and shows absolutely no stranger anxiety.
The "sensitive" temperament parents are more sympathetic to the needs
of a sensitive child who, for example, can't get to sleep because of the
noise and presence of unfamiliar guests in the house. Parents who
have highly regulated temperament and like to eat at the same time of the
day appreciate a child who also gets hungry on a regular schedule.
A more accommodative parent is likely to get up repeatedly at night to
comfort the child who frequently wakes up and cries for longer periods.
The tougher parent might prefer to have the child tough it out and get
used to it.
Here are a few examples of how children of different temperament react
to food: "active and fast adapting" children eat anything and snack frequently.
"Intense and slow adapting" children are finicky about changes in food
or the meal times. "Sensitive and withdrawing" children reject all
new foods.
As regards toilet training, active, fast adapting children train early
and easily. Intense and slow adapting children resist strongly if
pushed too fast. Sensitive and withdrawing children may show fear
of the potty and/or the bathroom.
When at play, active and fast adaptive children jump into any and all
activities. Intense and slow adapting children want to be in control
of the play. Sensitive and withdrawing children stay on the periphery
and may join gradually and hesitantly.
When approaching danger, active and fast adapting children show little
fear of danger. Intense and slow adapting children repeatedly and
continuously approach the off-limit areas. Sensitive and withdrawing
children avoid dangers completely and need a lot of help and assurance
to try new challenges. Therefore, before you take a firm position
how you should handle a particular problem, try to understand your child's
temperament and that of your own.
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Dr. Vijai Sharma
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