As the kids get older, they learn to hide their misbehavior from Mom and Dad. For example, when a child gets a failing grade on a school assignment, he will hide the paper to avoid punishment. Soon he realizes that he can break the rules as long as he doesn't get caught. Teenagers often become rebellious in order to break free of the brick wall. In contrast to authoritarian parents, permissive parents have few rules and no consistent limits.
Permissive parents give in to their children.
If parents make a rule, they fail to enforce it. This style invites chaos. The permissive parent is like a jellyfish. It has no shape or structure. In a permissive family, the children are in charge.