A MUM showcasing her gentle parenting style has been slammed by commenters who say that she’s giving her kids too much control and they’ll become “monsters”.
Mum Emily filmed herself talking to her toddler during a tantrum, and while she thought it was an example of how to let children regulate themselves, many disagreed with the approach.
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Emily and her young daughter were sitting the car and the child began to deliberately squirt her carton of juice.
While many parents would shout or throw the juice away, Emily decided to encourage her daughter to use breathing techniques.
She gave her daughter the juice carton twice, and both times the girl either deliberately squirted the juice or kicked the carton, despite Emily’s encouragement of deep breathing.
Emily explained her methods: “I’m helping her learn to navigate these feelings. Giving her opportunity to calm down.
“She wanted her juice but was throwing it and squeezing it and was unable to calm herself down.
“I set firm boundaries – she will not be allowed to spill her juice on purpose.”
When mum Emily decided to make a joke and distract from the tantrum, her daughter laughed and got the juice she wanted.
Emily explained: “I then redirect to something silly. She processed her feelings. No screaming. And she got her juice which she drank nicely.”
While mum Emily seemed to think this was a moment to share as an example of what to do when your child has a tantrum, many people thought she’d really just given in to her daughter’s wishes without issuing any punishment for bad behaviour.
One viewer wrote: “31 year veteran teacher here. You are giving her way too much control. One intentional spill, juice is all done. Less stress on her.”
Emily responded to this comment: “I think I’m setting her up for big things in life.”
Another critical commenter said: “I babysat for a woman who used these methods. All 4 of her kids were absolute monsters. She literally hired me to babysit her kids WHILE SHE WAS HOME.”
“Very clearly a power struggle and you let her win one too many times. She understands that if she plays your breathing game she gets what she wants”, a third added.
“After the second or third try, she should get the silent treatment and then a time out when she gets home. She knew exactly what she did was wrong”, agreed a fourth.
Others, however, felt that Emily had handled the situation perfectly.
“To the people mad about gentle parenting: just say you can’t control your own emotions and move on”, wrote one encouraging viewer.
Another said: “Love this. People hate on gentle parenting because it’s harder than yelling and controlling. The opportunity for the child provides skills for life!”
For more in parenting, check out this mum who says she’s “not a good mum” and sends them to bed at 8.30 so she can “watch TV“.
Meanwhile, a mum admits she is mum-shamed for feeding her eight-month-old roast dinners.
