What Is Gentle Parenting?

If you have watched, read, or listened to the news recently, you have probably heard the phrase “gentle parenting” used fairly often.  Do you wonder what it is?  Have you researched it?  Have you decided how you feel about the concept?  Will you plan to raise your baby using the strategies of this newer parenting style?

For those of you who don’t know what it is or are unsure, let me give you some very basic information.  Perhaps it will encourage you to learn more and maybe even put it to use in parenting your child.

What is gentle parenting?  It is a way of parenting that takes into account

Understanding

Empathy

Respect

Gentle parenting follows the natural rhythms of the child.

Parents respect the child so that the child learns to respect the parents.

A child’s natural need to have some control over his or her life is acknowledged and respected when appropriate.

Negative behaviors are not seen as “bad,” but as an unmet need and a way to learn.

Parents see self-soothing as a developmental stage and support the child by “being there,” and waking at night is seen as “normal.”

No behavior is rewarded.

Praise involves effort, not outcome.

Parents are aware of limited brain development, so expectations are lowered accordingly.

Parents recognize the young child’s need for dependence by providing a ‘secure base’ for the child to eventually become INdependent.

Parents respect the individual child with her own likes and dislikes as well as speed of development.

Parents recognize the importance of connection with the child, and unwanted behavior is seen as the child’s cry for more attention and connection with the parent.

Parents accept that they may need to make changes in their lives while the children are young so the parents can cope with the child’s normal development.

Parents recognize the importance of boundaries for the safety and well-being of the child, that consistency of enforcing limits is vital, but parents are flexible according to the developmental stage and limits are reserved for the things that really matter.

Parents are mindful of their own needs as a parent, they look after themselves, find support, ask for help, nurture themselves so they can then nurture their child, and they know that their own feelings and childhood may impact their parenting.

Thanks to Sara Hockwell-Smith for allowing me to use some of her information.  You can find more information on the Gentle Parenting Website.  Happy Gentle Parenting!

©2015 Brenda Holland-Robinson