Parenting Quiz Coming Soon
Know Your Parenting Style Quiz
Based on Ellen Galinsky’s Six Stages of Parenthood
Introduction
Parenting is a journey of growth – for children and parents alike. The way we parent influences our children’s development as well as our own well-being.
This quiz invites you to reflect on your parenting experiences across six stages of parenthood, as identified by Ellen Galinsky, a leading child development researcher.
There are no right or wrong answers. The questions are designed to support self-
awareness and reflection, recognising that parenting looks different for every family
and can change over time.
The Six Stages of Parenthood
Stage 1: Image-Making (Pre-birth)
This early stage involves preparing mentally and emotionally for parenthood. Parents
create images in their minds about what it means to be a parent and start to imagine
the changes their life will undergo. This is a time of anticipation and adjustment.
create images in their minds about what it means to be a parent and start to imagine
the changes their life will undergo. This is a time of anticipation and adjustment.
Stage 2: Nurturing (Birth to 2 years)
From birth through toddlerhood, parents focus on forming a strong attachment with
their child. They adapt to the demands of caring for a fully dependent baby and work
to balance their own needs with the responsibilities of nurturing.
their child. They adapt to the demands of caring for a fully dependent baby and work
to balance their own needs with the responsibilities of nurturing.
Stage 3: Authority (2 to 5 years)
During this stage, parents establish rules and boundaries as their child begins testing
limits. They face the challenge of defining their authority and guiding their child’s
behaviour with consistency and patience.
limits. They face the challenge of defining their authority and guiding their child’s
behaviour with consistency and patience.
Stage 4: Interpretive (5 to 12 years)
As children enter school age, parents help them interpret their growing experiences
in the larger social world, including school and friendships. Parents support learning
social norms, values, and problem-solving skills while encouraging independence.
in the larger social world, including school and friendships. Parents support learning
social norms, values, and problem-solving skills while encouraging independence.
Stage 5: Interdependent (Adolescence)
Parents and teenagers renegotiate their relationship. Authority becomes more
shared as teens seek independence while parents continue providing guidance.
Negotiating rules and balances between control and autonomy becomes key.
shared as teens seek independence while parents continue providing guidance.
Negotiating rules and balances between control and autonomy becomes key.
Stage 6: Departure (Early adulthood)
Parents support their young adult children as they transition toward full independence. This stage involves reevaluating the parental role while nurturing a
respectful and trusting adult relationship.
respectful and trusting adult relationship.
How the Quiz Works
- The quiz contains statements about your parenting behaviours related to each
of these six stages. - Each statement is rated on a scale from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always) based on
how often it describes your parenting style. - You may choose to answer only the stage(s) relevant to your child’s age or
developmental stage, or answer all stages. - Your answers will generate individual scores and feedback for each
completed stage to help understand your parenting strengths and areas for growth.
Scoring Guide
- Scores near 5 indicate strong alignment with effective parenting practices for that stage.
- Scores near 1 highlight areas where you might consider new approaches to better support your child’s growth.