Fenomena Self-Regulasi Orang Tua: Studi Deskriptif atas Praktik Pengaturan Diri Orang Tua dalam Pengasuhan Anak Usia Dini di Kota Ruteng

Abstract

Self-regulation is an important pillar in mindful parenting that determines the quality of interactions between parents and early within the framework of Integrative Holistic Early Childhood Education (PAUD). In Ruteng City, this parenting challenge demands emotional stability of parents, but there is often a gap between field practice and conceptual understanding. This study aims to analyze self-regulation practices in early childhood care among parents in seven observed kindergartens/PAUDs in Ruteng City, and to identify differences between theoretical understanding and practical implementation. This descriptive qualitative study involved 45 parents as subjects. Data were collected through questionnaires and interview guidelines, then analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques to map the achievement of self-regulation indicators. The research findings indicate a significant paradox in the aspect of self-regulation. On the one hand, parents demonstrated excellent practical performance in balancing personal needs and responsibilities (score 4.7) and managing anger in parenting (score 4.5). However, on the other hand, parents' conceptual understanding of the definition of self-regulation in the context of mindful parenting was in the lowest category (score 3.6). This indicates that parents' emotional regulation in Ruteng is more intuitive and based on practical experience than structured cognitive literacy. Parents in Ruteng City have high intuitive-practical resilience but require strengthening of conceptual self-regulation literacy. Internalization of Manggarai cultural values ??and support from the extended family system, with naturally emerging coping strategies based on the principle of social harmony (Lonto Leok), also contribute to the well-functioning self-regulation of parents. Long-term parenting programs in Holistic Integrative Early Childhood Education need to focus on psychoeducation to bridge the gap between intuitive abilities and conceptual understanding to ensure the sustainability of healthy early childhood parenting patterns.