In the realm of parenting, Kayla Huszar aimed to nurture her children to be emotionally intelligent and self-thinking individuals when she became a mother. Hoping to break away from the traditional, rigid upbringing she experienced, Huszar embraced the concept of “gentle parenting,” a contemporary method that emphasizes empathy, emotional acknowledgment, and fostering calm, respectful communication.
However, Huszar found that the idealistic vision of gentle parenting she had adopted did not align with the practical challenges she faced in raising her children. In a recently published essay titled “My Misadventures in Gentle Parenting: No timeouts, no limits, total chaos,” she candidly shared how the approach left her feeling drained, overwhelmed, and uncertain in her parental role.
Her experience is not unique, as a study published in the journal PLOS ONE in 2024 revealed that a significant portion of parents identifying with gentle parenting reported experiencing burnout and uncertainty in their parenting journey.
Gentle parenting has gained popularity among Millennial and Gen Z parents seeking a more compassionate and connected approach to raising children. While the method has garnered widespread attention on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Huszar discovered that the scripted advice and emphasis on emotional validation found online did not always translate effectively to real-life parenting challenges.
Clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Ashley Miller, noted that gentle parenting, often misconstrued as solely focusing on empathy and emotional support, also requires setting clear boundaries with understanding and explanation, rather than resorting to punishment.
Huszar’s realization came when her attempts at gentle parenting failed to address her son’s behavior effectively, leading her to reconsider her parenting approach. She now strives to strike a balance between authoritative and gentle parenting styles, acknowledging the importance of setting boundaries while also allowing space for emotional expression and resilience.
As parents navigate the complexities of child-rearing, finding a harmonious blend of empathy and authority may be key to fostering healthy parent-child relationships and promoting emotional development in children.