What it is: Kenneth Ginsburg, MD, a well-known physician with a focus on adolescent development, trademarked this term in his research-backed book "Raising Kids to Thrive," and called on parents to be metaphorical lighthouses for their children, visible from the shoreline as a stable light amid an ever-changing tide. In comparison to the other different parenting styles, lighthouse parenting is all about knowing when to let kids ride the waves and when to help them before they crash into the rocks.
Why parents do it: This style is similar to hands-off free-range parenting, yet many parents prefer it because it offers more of a healthy balance of independence with dependence and protection with trust. It's ideal for parents who want to be available for guidance but have no interest in steering the boat.
What research says: The positive effects of lighthouse parenting have been found across kids, particularly teens, according to the Center For Parent and Teen Communication at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Ginsburg also tapped into the insights of 500 teens from across the nation for his book, and their varied perspectives often connect on the benefits of this approach.
