Galinsky’S Six Stages Of Parenting

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Parenting is a process by which parents and children grow and develop, each influencing the other throughout their lives. According to Galinsky’s six parental stages Parents move through a series of six stages from pregnancy, when they prepare for parenthood and the birth of their child, to the time when their child leaves home to enter the adult world. Basically Expectations for their child's behavior and development are measured against the child's actual behavior and development; a parent's self-image may shift as he or she moves through the different stages of parenthood. This information is based on Galinsky's interviews with over 200 couples (Galinsky, 1981). For better or for worse, being a parent changes an individual forever. However, parents with more than one child can be in more than one stage at the same time. Adoptive parents and stepparents become parents after the first stage. The six stages of parenting are Image-making stage: Pregnancy- parents prepare for changes in themselves, for new relationships with each other, and the responsibilities of this new life. Nurturing stage: Birth to 18-24 Months or Autonomy- The major task at this stage is forming bonds of attachment with the baby. Parents attempt to meet the needs of the baby and balance this with other responsibilities involving spouse, jobs, and friends. Authoritative stage: Two to four or five years- Parents nurture, guide, and discipline their child. Parents evaluate their effectiveness in establishing limits, communicating and enforcing rules, and allowing enough freedom for each child to grow and develop. Interpretive Stage: Preschool Years through Adolescence- Parents teach their child about life and help him or her interpret the actions of others such as their teachers and peers. Parents are concerned with the increasing influences of peers and

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