What is Type C parenting? A guide for today’s families
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There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. But more and more families are finding that a calmer, more connected style just works. It’s called Type C parenting. And for a lot of us, it’s that sweet spot between holding the line and staying close.
So what exactly does it mean to be a Type C parent? How does it compare to other styles? And what does this look like when you're navigating big emotions, setting boundaries, or even talking to your child about money?
We asked parenting experts (and one Type C parent in the wild) to weigh in.
What is Type C parenting?
Type C parenting is about staying calm, following through, and keeping a strong connection with your child. Instead of forcing compliance, you work together, talking things out, setting boundaries that make sense, and leading by example.
“Type C parenting blends calm communication with consistent boundaries,” says Siobhan Chirico, family therapist and author of Climbing Crisis Mountain: A Guided Picture Book for Managing Meltdowns and Challenging Behaviour. “It’s about being emotionally attuned while still setting clear expectations and attempting to raise kids who feel both supported and empowered.”
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This style encourages thoughtful conversations, even when the conversation is hard. Instead of reacting in the moment, Type C parents pause, get curious, and lead with empathy.
How Type C compares to other parenting styles
Type C parenting is similar to the classic authoritative or assertive parenting style: calm, firm, and supportive. But it goes a step further, placing even more emphasis on helping kids manage emotions and be part of everyday decisions.
“Unlike authoritarian parenting, which emphasizes control, or permissive styles that lack structure, Type C is collaborative,” Chirico explains. “It values connection over compliance, and encourages kids to be thoughtful participants in family life.”
In other words, you’re not the boss or the bystander. You’re the steady, emotionally grounded guide.
Benefits of Type C parenting
Parents who adopt this approach often notice that their kids become more self-aware, patient, emotionally resilient, and capable of solving problems independently. That’s no accident; it’s the result of consistent, real-life practice.
“Type C parenting helps kids grow into capable decision-makers by including them in everyday choices like how to spend their money, plan a school project, or work through a friendship issue,” says Scotti Weintraub, founder of Reframe Parenting and host of the Unlocking School Success podcast. “Parents also model how to think things through, reflect on outcomes, and adjust when things don’t go as planned.”
It’s also a confidence builder. When kids are treated as contributors in the home, they learn to take ownership without needing rewards, punishments, or power struggles to achieve it.
“Kids raised with this approach often develop strong emotional resilience and independence,” Chirico adds. “They’re used to talking through challenges, making decisions, and learning from mistakes, all key life skills rooted in emotional safety and trust.”
Common challenges (and misconceptions) about Type C parenting
With Type C parenting, calm doesn’t mean passive, and letting your child make mistakes doesn’t mean stepping away. “Some mistake it for being ‘too soft,’ but it’s not about avoiding rules,” Chirico says. “It’s about setting them with purpose.”
It takes patience and follow-through. And sometimes, letting go of control so you can focus on what your child really needs. “Type C parenting is about curiosity over control,” says Weintraub. “It encourages parents to pause, ask thoughtful questions, and look beneath the behavior or situation to understand what a child might be feeling, needing, or trying to communicate.”
A real-life example from a Type C dad
Peter Shankman, author, keynote speaker, and podcast host, identifies as a Type C parent. On a recent two-week trip through Asia with his 12-year-old daughter, their plans shifted, and so did their budget. One day, they scrapped their itinerary and took a last-minute detour to China for a spontaneous shopping trip.
“We talked about the pros and cons, and eventually decided to do it,” Shankman says. “The communication is key. ‘If you’re spending your savings in China instead of shopping in Hong Kong, that’s totally cool, but that limits what you can spend in Hong Kong.’”
They made the decision together, with clear communication and a few ground rules.
“It's also about listening to her ideas, and working both her and my ideas into the plan. In the end, I’m still the dad, and she’s still the 12-year-old daughter… but we’re making most of the rules together, and it works for us,” says Shankman.
That’s the power of calm leadership and trust. And when you combine that with real-life money lessons, it sticks.
Why Type C parenting works
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. Type C parenting helps kids feel safe and capable, even in the messy moments. And that foundation of calm, consistent guidance is what helps kids become thoughtful, emotionally grounded adults.
Whether you’re already parenting with collaboration in mind or just learning about this approach, one thing’s clear: when we lead with calm, we raise kids who can lead themselves.
Greenlight can support your parenting style with tools like shared saving goals, spending controls, and educational money tools, so you can model responsibility while giving kids space to grow.
Want money-savvy kids? Introduce them to smart money habits through hands-on learning and real-world practice with Greenlight. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.†
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