Shared by Priyanka Shetty
Before I became a parent, my parenting style was the “ideal” parenting style. The ones most of us had – I will never let my child do XYZ. Can I just say how very naïve was I?
Honestly, I am still a parent who holds boundaries for my child but they are definitely not as rigid as I had imagined them to be before.
If I have to label my parenting style, I would say I sit somewhere between gentle and respectful parenting.
Or at least I try to every day because even after trying very hard some days the traditional parenting that we have seen generations follow, creeps in and I consciously have to brush it aside.
Gentle parenting for me doesn’t mean giving in to all your child’s whims. It doesn’t mean saying yes to everything or not letting them cry.
For me, gentle parenting is treating your child like a human being just like any other adult, treating them with respect, empowering them so they can make their own choices and take their own decisions and the most important one for me is raising emotionally confident humans.
Someone who is not afraid to cry, not afraid to express their true emotions and is emotionally intelligent. At least these are my reasons to have gone down this parenting path.
My style of parenting has definitely changed after I became a parent and my daughter was a few months old.
I felt so guilty about this transition because my husband and I were on the same parenting page – positive disciplining – when we started and I felt like I was betraying him.
But eventually, through lots of chats and discussions, we both have made peace with it. We have laid few ground rules and luckily for us, Gaia has adapted well to it and it works for us.
Ground rules are pretty simple –
– we don’t interfere with each other’s style,
– we trust the person to have control over the situation,
– we never demean each other’s styles or make fun of it,
– we always apologize when wrong and do not shy away from telling her we love her and she is precious to us.
I am always told how different parenting styles is going to confuse the child and how we are not raising her right.
But I only have one thing to say, as long as there is love, respect and understanding amongst each other in your family, nothing else matters.
Kids are very resilient and they will adapt and learn. No parenting style is the perfect answer. Just like every baby is different, every family is different and what suits my family might not necessarily be the right answer for yours.
Figure out what works for your family!
Figure out what are your family’s values that you want your kids to learn and stick to. Adapt!
No parenting style will give you all the answers. So mix it, alter it to suit your needs because only you are the best judge for what is best for your family.
Happy parenting!
Once I landed on her page, I cud not exit it. I was so hooked by her writing that I wanted to read each & every post.
Priyanka is an expat mom living in Australia, raising a 3 year old with her husband. They follow different parenting styles without stepping on each other’s toes with a common goal of raising a kind, independent and confident human.
I love how she puts things simply yet it has such a powerful impact. I love her Sagas of Gaia post at thesouthwesternmum where she shares innocent conversations with her daughter.
Her ‘Matrescence’ series will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions as you read different stories of women finding & accepting motherhood.
Don’t miss her posts on her pregnancy journey and how she is preparing her elder one to welcome the new one.
I love her #whattosaywhatnottosay series too where she taps into our subconscious unchecked behaviour and gives a new perspective.
This is a leaf from Parenting Series Chapter where I am inviting Parents to share their views on Parenting and #buildourparentingstyle
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are solely based on author’s experience. Please do not consider it as professional advice.