The permissive parent attempts to b

The permissive parent attempts to behave in a nonpunitive, acceptant and affirmative manner
towards the child's impulses, desires, and actions. She [the parent] consults with him [the child]
about policy decisions and gives explanations for family rules. She makes few demands for
household responsibility and orderly behavior. She presents herself to the child as a resource for
him to use as he wishes, not as an ideal for him to emulate, nor as an active agent responsible for
shaping or altering his ongoing or future behavior. She allows the child to regulate his own
activities as much as possible, avoids the exercise of control, and does not encourage him to obey
externally defined standards. She attempts to use reason and manipulation, but not overt power to
accomplish her ends (p. 889)