Gentle parenting, also known as respectful parenting, conscious parenting, mindful parenting, or intentional parenting, focuses on empathy, respect, and boundaries. You! takes a look…
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Gentle Parenting is a term coined in the late 2000s, however, the concept of it has been around since the late 20th Century. Gentle parenting, also known as respectful parenting, conscious parenting, mindful parenting, or intentional parenting, is a collaborative parenting style that focuses on empathy, respect, and boundaries. It is a peaceful and positive way to rear children, is a means of parenting without shame, blame, or punishment. It is centred on partnership as both parents and children have a say in this collaborative style. Gentle parenting is as it sounds; is a softer, gentler approach to parenting, and parents and caregivers that practice gentle parenting, they do so by guiding their children with consistent, compassionate boundaries. Traditional parenting styles focus on punishment and reward. When your child does something good or shows good behaviour, you reward them with fun activities, treats and positive feedback. If your child does something bad, though, they might get put in timeout or their privileges taken away. Instead of focusing on punishment and reward, gentle parenting focuses on improving a child’s self-awareness and understanding of their own behaviour.
There is ample amount of benefits shown in children who were raised with GP, it helps kids empathise more, bettering their social skills. Since how and what they’re feeling is an upmost priority, they begin to show it in their actions as well. It fosters a string emotional connection between the parent and the child or the caregiver and the child; it helps build trust, security and patience. Since its focus is on positive discipline strategies. Rather than resorting to punishment or harsh measures, gentle parenting emphasizes constructive approaches such as communication, setting boundaries with empathy, and teaching problem-solving skills. This approach not only encourages good behaviour but also helps children develop a sense of responsibility and self-control. Central to gentle parenting is the respect for a child’s autonomy and individuality. By honouring their feelings, choices, and development pace, gentle parenting promotes self-confidence, self-esteem, and a positive self-image. There has been research that indicates that kids that have been raised with gentle parenting have lower anxiety when their children but also as adults.
Although it seems to be a great a parenting technique, it also comes with its issues. Firstly, it is time-consuming; it requires more time and patience than regular parenting techniques. Another issue that comes up rather frequently is that maintaining consistency in gentle parenting practices can be difficult, particularly when dealing with multiple caregivers or in stressful situations. Inconsistencies in discipline or responses may confuse children and weaken the effectiveness of the approach. These inconsistencies could lead to greater issue which is creating boundaries. Where do you become a parent and not a friend? It may sometimes lack clear boundaries and structure, leading to potential issues with behaviour management and setting expectations for children, and many more but those have to be dealt with according to the individuality of the child.
* Gentle parenting focuses on understanding and guiding a child’s behaviour through empathy and positive reinforcement, avoiding punishments or yelling. In contrast, traditional parenting relies more on discipline through punishments like time-outs or spanking, prioritising obedience over understanding the child’s emotions.
* In Gentle Parenting, open and empathetic communication is key. Parents actively listen, validate their child’s feelings, and encourage peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue. Traditional Parenting often involves one-sided communication, with parents giving orders expected to be followed without much discussion or negotiation.
* In Gentle Parenting, challenges are approached collaboratively, with children involved in problem-solving discussions. Critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration are encouraged to find mutually beneficial solutions. Traditional Parenting often sees adults making decisions and imposing solutions without involving children. The focus may lean towards compliance rather than nurturing independence or problem-solving skills in children.
