Parenting is never easy, even with the most pleasant children. After all, it’s not just about keeping one’s offspring alive, they need to be happy, to develop interests and skills and to become fully formed people before they leave the home. So, naturally, many parents seek out the advice of people who have done it before.
Mom and content creator Rachel Gibbs shared her best tips for who to be a more effective “gentle parent.” She gave some examples and viewers shared their thoughts in the comments. We reached out to her via email and will update the article when she gets back to us.
More info: TikTok
A mom shared how she approached “gentle parenting” with her kids
Image credits: rachonlife
Image credits: August de Richelieu/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Barbara Olsen/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Kampus Production/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: rachonlife
You can watch the full video below
@rachonlife 5 easy things to get started in gentle parenting- these tips work for kids of all ages, and can really help us become more empathetic in general! #rachonlife #relatablemomcontent #gentleparenting
It’s important that children feel heard and seen
Gentle parenting is an approach that focuses on respect, understanding, and empathy rather than strict discipline or punishment. It encourages parents to guide their children with patience and communication instead of relying on fear or control. The goal is to foster emotional intelligence, independence, and a strong parent-child relationship by treating children as individuals with their own feelings, thoughts, and needs.
At the heart of gentle parenting is the belief that discipline should be about teaching, not punishing. Instead of reacting with anger or strict consequences, parents help children understand their emotions and behavior. If a child is upset or misbehaving, a gentle parent might kneel to their level, acknowledge their feelings, and calmly explain why certain actions are not okay. The idea is that children learn best when they feel safe, heard, and understood rather than fearful of consequences.
This approach also emphasizes consistency and setting clear boundaries, but in a way that is respectful and nurturing. Parents using gentle parenting do not simply allow bad behavior; they set expectations while explaining the reasons behind them. For example, rather than saying “Because I said so,” they might explain why bedtime is important for health or why sharing is kind. This helps children develop a sense of responsibility and cooperation rather than just following rules out of fear. That being said, it’s important to realize that not every “perfect parent” one sees online actually knows what they are doing.
Actually achieving effective “gentle parenting” is easier said than done
One of the biggest challenges of gentle parenting is that it requires patience and self-regulation. This is perhaps why this video ended up going viral, as many viewers were specifically interested in how to handle this style of parenting. Empathy and respect are simple words to say, but a lot harder to put into practice. That being said, some parents set the bar very low, so one should still be commended for trying.
Parents have to model the behavior they want to see, which can be difficult when dealing with stress or frustration. It takes effort to remain calm and teach through guidance rather than reaction. However, many believe that the long-term benefits, such as stronger communication skills, emotional stability, and mutual respect between parent and child, make it worth the effort.
Gentle parenting does not mean being permissive or never saying no. It means parenting with empathy, consistency, and understanding so that children grow up feeling secure, valued, and capable of making good choices on their own. It is about teaching children not just how to behave but also why, helping them develop the skills they need to navigate the world with confidence and kindness.
That being said, there are some specialists who suggest that it’s too permissive and seems to treat the child as this fragile being that can never be reprimanded. In many cases, parents see these models and adopt simplified versions of gentle parenting, which end up backfiring as they don’t have the tools to confront a child when needed.
Viewers shared their thoughts in the comments
