What type of parent are you? Psychologist Andrina McCormack has compiled a list of questions for modern parents ...

Modern parents have familiar problems to deal with along with a range of new issues to tackle, says But what type of parent are you?

shouldn’t have one; B) When you need them to have one; C) Once they start primary school – it will help them to read. ANSWER: B. “Giving them a mobile when they start nursery or school seems young, as many of them can’t read at that stage so I don’t see how they would use it,” comments Andrina. “I think they are useful once you feel they could use it as a security measure so they can phone home.” 3. Once they have a mobile what do you do if they start texting at the table? A) Text them to put it away; B) Ask them to put it away until later. C) Join them. You were desperate to hear about your best pal’s first date with her new man anyway. ANSWER: B. “Texting at the tea table is just rude,” says Andrina. “It is a time to talk to share experiences and talk about what has happened during the day. It’s important that families eat together every day if possible.” 4. Your 14-year-old daughter is on Facebook. Do you: A) Pester her to be your Facebook friend; B) Have a good look through it if she accidentally leaves it open; C) Monitor her use at a respectful distance. ANSWER: C. Says Andrina: “Insisting on being her Facebook friend is maybe an invasion of privacy, as is searching her page behind her back. There is a risk of grooming so you need to monitor what’s going on and you will soon know if she is being evasive. If she won’t meet your eye and won’t tell you anything, there could be a problem.” 5. You son is addicted to his games console. What do you do? A) You don’t care as you are too busy playing Grand Theft Auto; B) Ban it completely; C) Limit his screen time. ANSWER: C. “Many children spend too much time in front of screens when there is a whole world out there to enjoy,” says Andrina. “It is important to get out and about as it encourages cognitive, linguistic and social development. Limit their screen time and monitor it as well.” 6. You are what’s known as a helicopter parent, constantly hovering over them and driving them to different after-school activities. Oddly, your child is not as enthusiastic as you are and is making a fuss about music lessons in particular. Do you: A) Let them leave. B) Make them keep going. They’ll thank you when they are playing to a sell-out audience at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall; C) Make them keep going but take pity and let them off with practising at home; ANSWER: A. “I think you give them a choice about what activities they do. It is about respecting their wishes and about them taking responsibility for their choices. If they want to do something, let them try it then leave if they don’t like it,” advises Andrina. 7. You’ve heard it’s important to build up your child’s confidence. Do you: A) Tell them they’re amazing all the time; B) Don’t praise them at all – you’ve seen what happens to the Scottish football team any time they’re expected to do well; C) Concentrate on giving them as much love as possible. ANSWER: C. “They don’t have to be told they are amazing,” says Andrina. “They just need to know they are loved and that you support them. It is important, too, to be a responsible parent so you can be a good role model for your child.” n