The growth and development of a child parallel the evolution of parenthood. Children behave differently at each stage as they develop physically, emotionally, cognitively, and socially. It is the responsibility of parents to support their children's growth and development. Parenting changes can also be broadly categorized, just like a child's development can be divided into stages.

The developmental phases that children go through are several. That is something we are aware of. Physical, mental, social, and emotional development all occur in our kids. In addition to learning how to walk, talk, and play, they also learn how to feed and dress.

Have you ever considered how you've grown as a parent, though? Have you ever thought about how many developmental phases you go through? Which stage, if any, are you currently in?

In her classic book, Between Generations: The Six Stages of Parenthood, renowned child and adult development researcher Ellen Galinsky examines a subject that is frequently ignored ie What impact are the kids having on us?

It's a problem we don't frequently think about. Parents may be concerned about the impact they are having on their kids. Are we showing enough love? Do we exert enough pressure? Do we stifle their speech? Or will things work out alright?

Parenting, however, is a relationship. And that implies that we are also being influenced by our kids.

According to Galinsky, there are six definite stages of parenthood that occur as our children grow. We have an idea of who we are at each step, which may or may not be accurate and beneficial. At each stage, the difficulty is to release the tension and advance to the following one without becoming stuck.

Stages of Parenting

From the time a child is born until he leaves home to become an independent adult, there are many stages in a parent's development. The six stages of parental development are listed below:

1. Preparation stage

Even before the child is born, the parents begin to imagine and shape their duties as parents at this initial stage. They describe the desired vision with great detail and expect the transformations or changes that being parents would bring about in their life. It's not a need for preparation that they would purchase toys, paint the nursery, or put the cot together. It speaks about the awareness of how much having a baby will affect their sleeping, sexual life, social life, and other aspects. During this stage, a general plan is developed regarding their career priorities, the parental roles each would play in raising the child, and the future of their lives. As they continue to modify this design in response to the requirements of reality, it acts as a guide in their minds.

2. The nurturing stage

When our baby is born, the nurturing stage starts. It's a difficult period because we now have to cope with the reality of caring for a baby around-the-clock, a reality that may not be at all like the one we imagined during the image-making stage or the preparation stage. In this stage, we accept our new roles, broaden our social networks to include our newborn, and create a new sense of self. 

3. The authority stage

Our kids are toddlers at this point, so we need to establish our sense of control and authority. We must choose when to say "no, or" "yes," and how to handle their problematic behavior or the behavior which is difficult to deal with. We must establish healthy boundaries and decide what to do when our kids cross them. We must develop the ability to understand how our kids behave so that we can effectively mentor and lead them. They must decide how much control they should maintain over their child and learn to accept their power.

4. Interpretive stage

Typically, the Interpretive Stage begins when our kids start school. Their environment expands once they enroll in an education system. They are open to many more influences, as well as to other connections and interactions.

By responding to their questions and supporting them with any issues that they face, we need to help our kids interpret or understand the world at this stage. We need to redefine our notion of authority as they become older in order to allow them to take more responsibility. While continuing to provide for them, we must also start to allow them to go and become independent.

5. The interdependent stage

When our children reach adolescence, the Interdependent Stage starts. We could feel like we're losing control at this point. Your child is becoming into their own self; they seem to need us less and are more concerned with their friends and way of life.

Of course, we still need to be there for our kids, but at this point, we have to understand that they are almost adults. We need to rethink over relationship with our children so that we can continue to lead them while also allowing them to be more independent and separate.

6. The departure stage

Our kids leave home at this point and become complete adults. It's a time when we consider our achievements and failures as parents over the course of our lives, as well as our proud moments and regrets. Now is the time when we must once more modify our notion of who we are. We now have more time for ourselves and our own interests because we don't have to look over and care for our kids all the time. This could signal both an end and a fresh start. It may be filled with excitement as well as grief.

The six parenting stages serve as a reminder of the greater picture. Our kids will eventually grow out of diapers, start school, and eventually leave the house. More quickly than we think will occur. It also serves as a reminder that every stage of parenthood presents an opportunity for us to advance with our kids. Our children influence us and we influence our children and this is what we call parenting.

For parenting issues & stages, consult the best mental health experts or the Best Clinical Psychologist in India at TalktoAngel India’s No1. Mental health Platform. If you are searching for a "Psychiatrist near me" TalktoAngel can provide you with the best Online Psychiatrist and the Best Psychologist in India.

Contributed by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist &  Parenting Coach & Dr. Sakshi Kochhar, Psychologist