What Gentle Parenting Really Means and Why it’s Important?

Parenting is a  most beautiful and rewarding journey. This parenting helps to raise a confident, independent and happy child. However, most parents don’t know what parenting style is the best to raise their kids.

Are you also one of those parents who are confused between different parenting styles? If so, then consider gentle parenting.

Gentle parenting is a peaceful and positive parenting style that is way different from the old traditional style of parenting. It builds a strong relationship where children feel safe and grow with their parents’ support and love.

In this article, we’ll introduce Gentle parenting in detail, how it is different from traditional parenting and its impact on a child’s upbringing.

What does Gentle Parenting mean?

Gentle parenting is a softer way of parenting without shame, blame and punishment. Children learn through the guidance and support of their parents. Parents don’t force their children to behave by means of control and punishment.

Gentle parenting builds a strong connection between parents and children. This style focuses on raising a child through empathy, respect and discipline. Gentle parenting does not follow strict rules and orders as traditional parenting does.

How is gentle parenting different from traditional parenting styles?. Let’s try to figure it out!

Gentle parenting Vs. Traditional parenting: What’s the Difference?

All parents want to raise their child as responsible, respected and independent but every parent chooses a different approach. While some parents consider gentle parenting, others believe that authoritative parenting is more effective.

Here is how both parenting styles differ from each other;

Gentle Parenting: This approach mainly focuses on emotional connections, empathy and respect. Children grow in a safe and cooperative environment where they make decisions without any fear and external pressures.

Traditional parenting: This parenting style is based on control, incentives and punishment. Parents make decisions for their children which make the kids less confident and hesitant.

These differences will be helpful for the parents in choosing the best and effective parenting style that suits their kids.

How Gentle Parenting Helps in Better Upbringing?

Here are some convincing reasons as why gentle parenting ensures better upbringing;

Builds Stronger Connection: Since gentle parenting is also called collaborative parenting, it creates a trusty bond between parents and children. Children trust their parents and start to share secrets with their parents without any fear. This makes them mentally and emotionally stable.

Self Awareness: This style also raised a strong sense of self esteem in children. When they know that they are loved and accepted for who they are, they feel confident to make decisions without any hesitation. Self awareness makes them believe in their abilities.

Teaches Empathy: Gentle parenting also teaches the children about empathy and compassion. They try to understand the emotions of others and treat them with respect and kindness.

These reasons show why gentle parenting is the most effective approach to raising your child into a responsible, respectable, confident, empathetic and happy child.

 4 Core Components of Gentle Parenting

Gentle parenting has four main pillars that make it effective parenting; respect, positive discipline, attachment and empathy. Let’s read them one by one!

Respectful Parenting:

In this style, parents treat their children as individuals who have their own choices, opinions and  personal feelings. Parents  avoid yelling and orders. They focus on kids’ emotions and listen to their thoughts and opinions. 

Positive Discipline Parenting:

Gentle parenting isn’t about letting your kid do whatever they want. Instead, this parenting approach replaces punishment with guidance and support. The main purpose is to set clear boundaries while being kind and supportive.

Attachment based  Parenting: 

 Kids are securely and insecurely attached to their parents. So, gentle parenting creates an emotional bond between parents and children which helps the kids to feel safe and confident. 

Empowerment Parenting:

 This style helps in building self-confidence, independence and problem solving skills. It helps the kids to believe in themselves and make appropriate decisions without any fear.

By incorporating these components in parenting style , parents can create a positive and nurturing environment that fosters children’ natural curiosity, independence and love of learning.

At What Age, Should You Start Gentle Parenting?

Being gentle is a teachable skill and gentle parenting takes time, especially with children under four, so, parents should start gentle parenting as early as six months. 

Some believe that parents don’t have to wait until their children reach a certain age to teach them. Kids are naturally inclined towards their parents and try to behave in the way their parents teach them. So, parents should set boundaries and limits at an early stage. 

Many people believe that parents should start gentle parenting when children are older. At this stage, parents can guide and support them through love, understanding and emotional connections.

So, parents can begin and implement gentle parenting at any stage when needed.

Common Myths About Gentle Parenting

There are many misconceptions associated with gentle parenting. Most people think that kids who’re raised under gentle parenting are disrespectful, stubborn and have uncontrolled behaviour. However, that’s not true!

Here are some common misconceptions about gentle parenting in our society;

• Gentle parenting is too gentle: Some people think that gentle parenting doesn’t focus on clear rules and boundaries which can make the children undisciplined.
• Gentle Parents lose control:  In gentle parenting, parents are considered as passive who have lost their control over children. But it’s not true. Gentle parenting is a mutual partnership that changes smoothly, sometimes parents lead and other times, children do.
• Time consuming: Gentle parenting demands more time, patience and repetition that often makes it difficult for parents to practice a particular parenting style if they have a busy schedule.  

Rather, gentle parenting is all about making up a team with kids and letting them make decisions by believing in their skills and abilities.

You may also want to know:

How to Discipline a Narcissistic Child? 5 Red Flags About Narcissism in Children

 Conclusion

Gentle parenting is an effective approach to raise a kind, empathetic and confident child. This approach replaces punishment with kindness. It builds a strong bond between parents and kids and makes kids confident about their life decisions.

Despite myths that gentle parenting style has no clear rules or spoils children, this approach actually sets firm and respectful boundaries. Gentle parenting creates enough room for kids to handle conflict and stressful situations peacefully.

In brief, parenting is complex and depends on different factors specific to children and situations.