My kids don’t need a trendy theory, they need their actual mother to show them actual love
March 4, 2024 1:00 pm(Updated 1:05 pm)
When I had my first child in 2018, I fell in love with the idea of gentle parenting. Treating children with respect, validating and accepting their feelings, listening to their needs rather than just expecting them to do as they were told… This was how I would raise my children.
I bought all the books, took online courses, memorised the scripts, and made my husband, parents and in-laws learn them too. By the time my eldest daughter was old enough to interact with us, I was ready to put it all into practice.
It turns out, it doesn’t work. But you’re not allowed to say that. Gentle parenting has gone from an idealistic vision to something akin to a cult. If anyone says they disagree with the methods, the Instagram police swoop in. I’m awaiting their knock on my door right now.
But the truth is, no…
