7 benefits of submarine parenting in raising kids

Submarine parenting, defined by Dr. Kristin Lee Costa, is allowing kids to confront daily challenges without immediately swooping in to help. In other words, keeping your own anxieties out of your child’s way and teaching him to find his own path in life.

It is essentially a direct opposite of helicopter parenting, which has proven to result in mean and aggressive little humans being raised. So yes, not the most effective method of parenting!

Submarine parenting, however, should not be confused with disengaged parenting. As the word "submarine" suggests, submarine parents are able to remain out of their child's plain sight while still keeping a vigilant eye on him. This provides the child with the freedom to explore his world yet know he is safe! Here are some of the benefits of submarine parenting.

1. Provides more opportunities for him

Submarine parenting provides more opportunities for your kid to experience things that take him out of his comfort zone.

2. Teaches him independence

Submarine parenting allows your child to know that you respect his need to grow up and gain independence.

3. Allows him to explore and learn about consequences naturally

Submarine parenting provides the best lesson for him to dig his own way out of the consequences, which might fall as a result of his oversight. Dealing with consequences is, after all, a natural process of growing up.

4. Develops his resilience

Submarine parenting will allow him to grow up to become a more secure adult.

5. Keeps things real for him

As a parent, it is natural that you'll sometimes experience the urge to save your kid from struggle. But he should know that it is also possible to celebrate risk, mistakes made and hardship.

6. Allows him to gain self-confidence in his abilities

The long term result of submarine parenting is while your child is developing his resilience, his confidence will grow as well!

7. Helps him navigate out of the tough times during adolescence

He might be acting out from his emotional need to move forward. Submarine parenting helps you realise what's behind his unexpected behaviour, which in turn, helps him realise how his behaviour isn't necessarily a heathy one.