Gentle Parenting with Not So Gentle Children

When it comes to the upbringing of our children and this so-called "new aged parenting," the practice of gentle parenting represents a paradigm shift from the way that we have traditionally done things. When it comes to disciplining your child, interacting with them, and simply being there for them, gentle parenting emphasizes more constructive approaches. As a culture, we have progressed past the stage where we consider children to be property and have instead begun to view them as the tiny human beings with enormous feelings. But what should we do if our kids are…..not so gentle? Believe me, as the mother of two young children, I totally get it! However, gentle parenting is more about you as the parent than about the child. When you raise your children gently, you come to realize that they are not yet capable of controlling their feelings, thinking logically, or making choices that are in their best interests. Therefore, as the parent, increasing your awareness of this factor enables you to have compassion for your child who, has not yet developed the skills necessary to effectively manage adversity. Here are 7 tips that can get you started on your gentle parenting journey

1.     Put empathy first! Remember these tiny humans do not have the ability to reason!

2.     Set age-appropriate boundaries. What your child is capable of doing versus what you think they should be doing.

3.     Communicate the reasons to your boundaries. “Because I said so” is NOT a reason

4.     Be flexible. Balance is key!

5.     Use your words. Instead of raising your voice, use your words to get your point across

6.     Help them learn from their mistakes. Teach them the right thing to do when they make a mistake

7.     Connect with your kids!

By Jealisia Webster