English Conversation

Parenting is the process of supporting the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood. There are many different parenting styles from permissive to authoritarian. Social class, culture, and nationality can play a big role in determining what methods of child rearing are used by the parents.

Video on Parenting Tips

Which do you think is the best piece of parenting advice?
Why do you think it is good advice?

Parenting Phrases

To raise a child – to care for and look after a child
Stay at home Mum - A mother whose job is to stay in the house to take care of the children.
To be brought up - To be raised and taken care of by a certain person.
To take after - To resemble or have similar characteristics of one of your parents.
To be a role model for – To display good and respectable behaviour so that your children will try to do the same.
To spoil a child - To give a child everything he wants, which results in the child being ungrateful and demanding.
To throw a temper tantrum - An outburst of anger and yelling that kids do to get their way.

Conversation Questions

General

What skills are involved in being a parent?
What do you think is the most important thing to remember about parenting?
Do you think parenting has changed throughout the ages?
Do you think parenting is the same all over the world?
Are parenting skills different for women and men?
What are some things that your parents did that you would never do?
What do you think are some of the most difficult problems faced by parents?
Should a good mother give up her job to stay at home with her children?
Do you think it is ok for a father to stay at home with the children instead?
What do you think of people who say they don't want to be a parent?
What do you think is the best parenting style e.g. authoritarian, permissive, democratic etc.?