Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Every generation tries to reinvent the wheel and millennials are no different. From how they work to how they marry and how they raise their kids. New surveys show 88 percent of millennial parents say their parenting style is different from how they were raised and 73 percent believe it’s better. The latest approach is called gentle parenting, and three out of four millennials say they practice it. But experts say when gentle parenting goes too far, it can backfire.
Social media is buzzing about it. A new trend in parenting called gentle parenting. But what does it mean?
“Well, really it’s a lot of emotion coaching, so really labeling the child’s emotion,” said Cari Alvarez, PhD, Clinical child psychologist, WellBunch Psychology.
Clinical child psychologist Cari Alvarez says at its best, gentle parenting helps children feel seen, heard, and understood. It also requires parents to pause and respond, instead of reacting. But she says problems start when emotions are acknowledged without limits.
“It sometimes stops there where parents are just very warm and fuzzy, but we’re missing the whole consequence piece,” explained Alvarez.
Alvarez says constantly validating a child’s feelings without limits, can actually make tantrums last longer.
Permissive parenting is high on warmth but low on boundaries, turning parents into friends instead of leaders. And that can have long-term consequences.
“We see higher instances of substance abuse because children need boundaries,” said Alvarez.
So, what’s the right balance? Alvarez says the goal is high warmth and high structure, sometimes called authoritative parenting. That means validating feelings and following through with consistent consequences.
When parents feel out of control, it’s easy to swing to the other extreme — all rules, no warmth. But Alvarez warns that without connection, kids may be afraid to come to you when they need help most. Her advice? Keep the warmth and add the boundaries so your child knows you’re always and there and that you’ll keep them safe.
Contributors to this news report include: Marcy Wilder, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
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Sources:
https://www.rd.com/list/things-millennials-have-killed/
https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/millennial-parenting-statistics/
