A Beginner’s Guide to Gentle Parenting
This is a writing sample from Scripted writer Terri Mitchell
Gentle parenting encourages understanding of the child’s behavior, and empathy with the child’s feelings. The goal is to foster free expression, independence, and a feeling of safety being who they are, while simultaneously, promoting a peaceful environment for everyone to feel comfortable without being scolded or judged.
Four Fundamentals of Gentle Parenting
There are essentially four fundamentals for gentle parenting: boundaries, empathy, understanding, and respect. Here is what parents should know:
- Boundaries
The gentle parenting style embraces boundaries, both setting them and enforcing them. This helps to develop stability, predictability, and subsequent safety.
- Empathy
Do not be quick to dismiss how a child feels. While parents may think that minimizing a child’s concerns is reassuring, it can leave a child feeling as though their concerns are not valid.
- Understanding
Try to understand where the child is coming from. Children yearn to be heard and will be more likely to confide in a parent that truly listens to them.
- Respect
Respect should be shown to each member of the household. Model this behavior by showing respect to children and engaging with them in an uplifting and encouraging way.
The aim is for everyone in the household to feel safe and secure conveying their thoughts, feelings, and opinions- without facing judgment.
Invest in Gentle Parenting
Gentle parenting requires an investment of your time, energy, and patience. You must be present and engaged with the child to field questions, make observations, and circumvent behaviors that may arise. Gentle parenting is most beneficial and effective when it is implemented at a young age.
Some ways to gentle parent include:
· Teach your kids life skills and support them trying new things.
· Hear the words coming out of your mouth and remember to always speak in a positive way- especially and most importantly during stressful or chaotic times.
· Aim for a team mentality. Work together to find solutions to common situations or problems.
· Never tell a child to stop crying. Gently speak to them in a reassuring way to make them feel loved and validated.
· Think of yourself as a coach. When discouraging specific behavior, don’t punish the child. Instead, encourage them to do better.
· Gentle parenting works best with a firm schedule and consistent routine that everyone can anticipate and expect.
Parents need to practice gentle parenting techniques, too. Think about how you will respond to a variety of situations ahead of time, so you do not react in a way that compromises what you are trying to achieve. Take a moment, if necessary, so that you remain calm and positive.
Benefits Of Gentle Parenting
So, what are the benefits of this parenting style? Gentle parenting fosters an empathetic and healthy rapport between parents and children. This communicative approach can eliminate some of the common disagreements, tensions, and resentments that often build among members of a family unit.
Some other benefits of gentle parenting include:
· The boundaries set in gentle parenting help to foster a sense of security and comfort in young children.
· Gentle parents instill the freedom in their children to express themselves without reservation.
· The presence of a consistent authority figure helps make children feel safe.
· Studies show that the gentle parenting style helps reduce precursors for anxiety and insecurity among children as young as toddlers.
· The trust and respect fostered with gentle parenting can instill confidence and self-esteem in children during crucial developmental stages.
Foster self-assurance, confidence, and communication in your child with a gentle parenting approach to parenting. Gentle parenting requires commitment, patience, and consistency. Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor are other great resources for information or for questions related to the gentle parenting model.
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