Families For Life | Should you follow parenting "trends"?

In the age of the internet, parenting guides and tips are everywhere. This is great news for new parents who might be feeling lost or unsure about their parenting journey.

We know how stressful it can be to navigate this information when you want only the best for your child. Here’s a guide to finding a parenting style that suits you and your child’s needs!

So, which parenting style is the “right” one?

The parenting landscape today is different from what it was a decade ago. More parents are openly sharing their parenting journey, and tips and guides for new parents are just a few online searches away! However, this influx of information can be overwhelming, especially when you come across new parenting terms that you’ve never heard of.

With so many different styles available, remember that these are simply some of many approaches to nurturing your child. It’s more important to consider how you interact with your child and how you discipline them. The way you respond to their achievements, handle their mistakes, and guide their behaviour shapes more than just their daily routine - it influences their self-confidence, emotional well-being, and even their success in school.

Parent around your child

While some approaches might work for other children, they might not work for your little one. Every child is unique, and it’s okay to apply more (or less) discipline and guidance to bring out the best in your child.

Don’t forget that children with different needs will also require varying levels of guidance. For example, a child with ADHD can benefit from structure but the same rules can be restrictive for other children.

Take some time to do research and find a balance between approaches to do what’s best for your little one.

What about “Gentle Parenting”?

If you’re unsure where to start, gentle parenting is a positive parenting style that can help you foster your child’s ability to make good decisions for themselves.

Gentle parenting focuses on building positive relationships to boost self-esteem and emotional well-being. It emphasises respect, empathy, understanding, and setting sensible boundaries. It’s all about the comfort and happiness of your child and building strong bonds together.

Here are some ways you can practice gentle parenting:

• Be a role model for positive behaviour and let your child learn from your example. This can encourage your child to self-regulate too!

• Help your child learn from their mistakes by explaining what they did wrong instead of punishing them. By focusing on the action and not the child, you help them understand the impact of their behaviour while protecting their self-esteem.

• Praise more, scold less! You can reinforce good behaviour by praising your child when they make good decisions.

• Explain your actions when you do something they don’t like. This can help set boundaries while respecting your child’s feelings. For example, you could say “I can’t let you have ice cream today because you’re coughing. How about next week?”

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, but you can aim for a good balance between structure and warmth. Give your child the freedom to discover themselves but provide structure where necessary. Joining parenting programmes is also a great way to help you find the best way to nurture your child!