Gentle Parenting
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Gentle Parenting
An article dated in December 2023 I read about gentle parenting. Most shocking here was how parents are unintentionally giving control to their parents. Up to and including children “slapping” a mom at a play date. Essentially, does gentle parenting work?
There are aspects of this method I find useful. Primarily, being emotionally available and aware when my kids need it. My style is hybrid, fluid even. Bouncing from gentle to down right dictator if needed. Lets be real, if you are in charge of raising kids, there isn’t much time to be warm and soft all the time. Moments exist where everyone just needs to get out the damn door.
Of the various lessons I’ve learned as a dad; first came not being in a place to judge other parents. This shit is hard, if done properly. So a kid hitting a parent, while wild, I can understand. I don’t support it but can see if a parent checks out - because it is hard.
Most times we don’t know what we’re doing. As the article points out. So be open to change, failing and accepting of being a dictator, sometimes.