Parenting Notes / myLot

United States

January 3, 2025 6:21am CST

Dear all, Someone recently said that if you're not "gentle parenting" you're being emotionally or physically abusive, that's absolutely nonsense. Firm parenting has its place, and is not inherently abusive. Claiming it's inherently abusive instills a false victimhood mentality, and that has devastating consequences (not just for households, but society at large.) The keys to good parenting are sanity and BALANCE, being either overly strict or overly permissive can BOTH be detrimental.

4 people like this

5 responses

LindaOH

@LindaOHio (183946)

• United States

4 Jan

Parents can't be pushovers because the children will take advantage. My parents were very strict; and I turned out OK. Have a good weekend.

1 person likes this

rakski

@rakski (128425)

• Philippines

5 Jan

I do not call it firm parenting. I call it tough love. And I do it when I think my kids need it. I do not physically hurt them.

Anna

@LadyDuck (472386)

• Switzerland

3 Jan

I totally agree with what you wrote. My parents were firm, but NEVER abusive. Parents must be an example and not be friend, but a guide for their children.

A A

@anya12adwi (10147)

• India

3 Jan

It has to be both as per the situation that arrives!

Greenery8

@grenery8 (11751)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

3 Jan

i agree with you. if you're gentle, it's a pressure acting the same so, yes, strict moments are there too. nothing personal.