Gentle parenting. It's all the rage on social media, but what is it?
This buzzy new style of parenting is all about compassion and acceptance. It's about leaving space for your child's emotional needs while raising them to be thoughtful and caring of others. That doesn't mean there isn't room for discipline, and it can all become quite complicated, but there are loads of parenting influencers sharing their journey on blogs, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, and you can learn and live right alongside them to get that support you need and your questions answered.
See also: Actress Lyndsy Fonseca on Motherhood and Conscious Parenting: "You Don't Have to Struggle"
We may not have the answers, but these seven parenting influencers have a lot of knowledge on the matter. Check them out and get inspired!
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Known as Laura Love on TikTok, this mom of two boys was is one of the first moms on the platform to start posting about gentle parenting styles. Love discusses the trauma a lot of children experienced with older parenting styles, and she wants to break that cycle by advocating for this new way of thinking. Her videos provide tips on how to be a more gentle parent, and she demonstrates how she handles certain situations with her sons. Love has inspired many of her followers to educate themselves on gentle parenting via live streams or by doing their own research.
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Bella Crum, author of Crummy Parenting, is a new mom with goals to share the messiness of “good parenting.” Bella notes that it’s not how clean your house is or how many Montessori items you have for your children that make you a good parent; it’s the drive and constant pursuit of trying to know better—and then do better—for your children. Bella’s blog has more than just gentle parenting tips. She also shares delicious snacks and recipes for parents to make for themselves or for their children.
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Licensed marriage and family therapist Carol Kim shares a lot of useful tips for parents to create stronger bonds and restore relationships with their children. Carol’s Instagram page is filled with suggestions and alternatives for parents on how to interact with your child if you’re having a stressful day, how to help heal your kids after an emotional outburst and more. Parenting isn’t easy, but Carol reminds you that you don’t have to do it alone. She is here to offer support through counseling, or by offering simple tips and tricks to try for yourself.
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Across the Atlantic in Yorkshire, United Kingdom, you'll find this mom of two with a goal to make gentle parenting accessible for everyone. Lucy came found gentle parenting as she reflected on traditional parenting styles and realized they didn’t sit right with her. She wants to treat her girls with the same respect she receives as an adult, to boost their confidence rather than shake it, and to create an environment where they can thrive and become the wonderful human beings they are meant to be. Lucy’s blog discusses a lot of the benefits of gentle parenting, especially with regard to mental health. She shares tips on how to discipline your child without being harsh or causing damage. Lucy at Home is a prime example that gentle parenting isn’t a construct made up in the United States. It is a real parenting style people are turning toward now more than ever.
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Amber Faust has been working on the blog Faust Island for many years. Amber prides herself on being an eco-friendly mom, raising her children to be more environmentally conscious while writing articles on what other parents can do to be more green. Faust Island also provides tips on how to connect with your children; whether that's an article on sailing with your children, ways to spend time away from screens and with family, or how to help your kids understand their emotions. Faust Island has a little bit of everything, but if you’re an environmentalist mom, this blog might be the one for you.
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Sonnet Simmons Matthews is the co-founder of Raising Children You Like, the Not Your Mother’s Podcast, a musical artist, and a mama of two. When asked what kind of parent she wanted to be, she said she wanted to be one whose children felt seen, safe and loved every day; who can teach her children how to process hard emotions and navigate life’s challenges. The Raising Children You Like blog helps parents raise well-behaved children by relearning how to discipline. Raising Children You Like offers online courses for parents to learn different ways to be a good parent while also respecting their children.
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Author of 13 parenting books and well-known parenting expert Sarah Ockwell-Smith may not be a blogger, but she still has a lot to share about gentle parenting. Whether in her books or Instagram captions, Sarah shares tips and advice for parents to practice this buzzy style. Sarah posts short videos on her account answering a lot of questions parents may have about their children, like how to tackle a toddler’s tantrum the gentle parenting way, why your “tweenager” is becoming “difficult,” and more. Sarah provides further help through her books, which range from How to be a Calm Parent, The Gentle Eating Book, and The Gentle Discipline Book. Sarah has a lot of resources for parents who want to become more gentle with their children, so dive in head first today.
Photography by: Omar Lopez / Unsplash
