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Solving The Problem
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Halt Drunk Driving Law
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Get Involved
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Give One Time
Give Monthly
Ways to Give
Find a Local Office
The MADD Network
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Move With MADD
MADD 45th Anniversary Event
Honor
Light A Candle
Create a Tribute
Create a Fundraiser
Act
Advocate
Volunteer
Influence
Driving Change with MADD
Shop Like MADD
About MADD
About MADD
Contact Us
Our History
Victim Care
MADD Leadership
MADD National Board
MADD National Ambassadors
Partners
MADD Core Values
MADD Brand Kit
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Press Releases
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PSA’s
Careers
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Donate
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What’s Your Parenting Style? Take Our Quiz
Choose the response that best reflects how you typically act — not how you wish you acted. Try to answer honestly and instinctively. At the end of the quiz you will be asked to tally your responses.
When your child breaks a rule...
A. I remind them what we agreed on, talk it through, and follow up with consequences if needed.
B. I lay down a firm consequence — they need to understand rules are rules.
C. I try to understand the situation and often help smooth things over.
D. I let them learn from the experiene and try not to intervene too much.
When setting rules in your home, you...
A. Involve your child in the process and talk about the reasons behind expectations.
B. Decide what makes sense for your family and expect your child to follow through.
C. Prefer to be flexible and adjust as tings come up.
D. Focus more on keeping your child safe and avoid situations that could lead to conflict.
If your child wants to go to a party where alcohol mightbe present, you...
A. Discuss the situation, talk about expectations, and make sure they have a plan.
B. Say no — you don't want them exposed to that environment.
C. Trust them to make their own choices and hope they'll come to you if there's a problem.
D. Step in to ensure it's safe, maybe by calling other adults or offering to help supervise.
How do you usually handle decision-making with your child?
A. Provide guidance but give them space to build strong decision-making skills of their own...
B. Step in when necessary — they're not always ready to make the right call.
C. Let them take the lead and support from the background.
D. Oftenhelp manage things direclty to make sure they go smoothly.
When your child expresses frustration with your rules, you...
A. Listen and explain your reasoning, even if the rules stay in place.
B. Reinforce the rules — you set them for a reason.
C. Try to stay open and may change course to avoid tension.
D. Reassure them and try to ease their frustration by solving the issue.
How often do you talk with your child about alcohol, drugs, or other risky behaviors?
A. Regularly, with openness and curiosity.
B. Occasionally, especially when something comes up.
C. When they bring it up or there's a reason to.
D. Not often - I focus on protecting them from those situations instead.
When your child makes a mistake, what's your gut response?
A. Stay calm, talk it through, and follow up with consequences if needed.
B. Address it right away with clear discipline.
C. Let it go unless it becomes a pattern.
D. Step in to help fix things and reduce their stress.
TALLY YOUR ANSWERS:
Mostly A's - Positive (Authoritative) Parenting
You're focused on balancing warmth and leadership with structure. You provide guidance, set clear expectations, and talk things through. Children raised with this style are more likely to make healthy choices and feel confident coming toyour when challenges arise. Keep building that trust — it's one of the most powerful tools you have.
Mostly B's - Authoritarian Parenting
You value structure and discipline and want your child to respect boundaries. While this can create short-term compliance, teens may benefit from more conversation and collaboration. Small shifts toward open communication can go a long way in building onnection and helping your teen make safe choices.
Mostly C's - Permissive Parenting
You want your child to feel supported and free to grow, and you may prefer to take a laid-back approach. While this can encourage independence, adding a few consistent boundaries can strengthen your influence and provide your child with the guidance they still need — especially when facing peer pressure or touch choices.
Mostly D's - Overprotective Parenting
Your love and care run deep, and your instinct is to shield your child from harm. This sense of protection can be a strength — but giving children space to experience natural consequences and solve problems builds their resilience and decision-making skills. Start with small opportunities to let them take the lead.
Bottom Line:
Most parents use a mix of styles. What matters most is being intentional. The good news? It's never too late to shift your approach. The way you communicate, set expectations, and respond to mistakes can shape your child's ability to make healthy, informed decisions.