Psychologist Alison Gopnik's book, The Gardener and the Carpenter, works to show the comparisons between those who parent in either the way of the gardener, or the carpenter.
The gardener parent treats raising their child as though they are tending to a garden, and allows their child's growth and space to thrive in a supportive environment. They realize that though their child may slip from their grasp of control, this could potentially lead to the formation of a person who feels safe in being their authentic self, whoever that may be.
The carpenter parent, on the other hand, raises their child with a goal in mind, and a hope for an end product that fits the idea they had in their minds for their children's futures. This is an undesirable way of parenting, as it limits the child to their parent's sole control, the parents in turn pushing for a creation that may not be who their child is at all.
Gopnik's attempt to raise awareness about these ways to parent shed light on the benefits and detriments of each side of the analogy. She does this in a way that does not shame parents, but helps them to see in analogical terms how these two types of parenting impact their child. To become a gardener parent, don't be afraid to let go of the reins and allow your child to explore themselves. By doing this, you allow your child to grow and succeed on their own.
Here's a link to Gopnik's book on Amazon! : The Gardener & The Carpenter