Is Gentle Parenting "Too" Gentle?

What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms

What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood

Parenting, Kids & Family, Comedy

4.6 • 962 Ratings

🗓️ 16 April 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

There's a reason "gentle parenting" has become synonymous in some circles—and on social media—with never ever telling a child "no," even in the most extreme circumstances. But where did "gentle parenting" begin, what does the research really say about it, and what can it actually offer parents in the way of making their lives easier? Amy and Margaret discuss: The original definition of "gentle parenting"—and how it leaves the door open for broad interpretations What research has actually shown about the effects of gentle parenting—and how those who consider themselves gentle parents are faring What the disagreements surrounding gentle parenting tells us about parenting in the modern world Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Jessica Winter for the New Yorker: The Harsh Realm of 'Gentle Parenting' Kathryn Watson for Oprah Daily: The Truth About Gentle Parenting Annie Pezalla for The Conversation: Gentle parenting can be really hard on parents, new research suggests Anne E. Pezalla, et. al for the Public Library of Science Journal: “Trying to remain calm…but I do reach my limit sometimes”: An exploration of the meaning of gentle parenting Sarah Shemkus for the Boston Globe: ‘I’m hanging on for dear life.’ The parenting style pushing parents to the brink. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson. mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, toddler, baby, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, gentle parenting, permissive parenting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	There's a lot to keep new parents awake at night.
0:03.9	But it won't be the prices at ASDA's Baby and Toddler event, starting from the 21st of April,
0:09.0	including the MAM anti-collic bottle set down from £38 to £24.99.
0:13.3	And the newbie rapid cool bottle maker down from £40 to £24.88.
0:17.4	Plus, for more exclusive offers, sign up to Asda Rewards, Baby and Toddler Club. That's Asda
0:22.6	Price. Select a source and line subject to
0:24.6	availability as the reward requires app and registration
0:26.7	while membership per person full teas and sees
0:28.4	azda.com slash rewards slash terms.
0:32.4	Gentle
0:32.9	parenting is like communism, Amy.
0:34.9	The idea is kind of solid
0:36.8	but in practice it gets really messed up.
0:39.7	What fresh hell. Laughing in the face of motherhood. Kids are not wired to control themselves,
0:46.9	and we are. With Margaret Abel's and Amy Wilson. Whenever you parent in public, people are going to have a lot to say about how you're doing it.
0:56.0	A podcast that solves today's parenting dilemmas. So you don't have to. It is an impossible
1:01.4	situation to set yourself up for that you will never feel frustrated. Hello, everyone,
1:08.4	and welcome to what fresh hell laughing in the face of motherhood. This is Margaret.
1:12.1	And this is Amy. Today we're going to talk about gentle parenting, what it is, what it isn't.
1:18.8	What's good about it. What's hard about it. The kids did end their dental parenting, Amy. That's where I start. And it was a term I heard after my kids were pretty well baked. So, you know,
1:29.3	I'm sort of like, oops, I miss gentle parenting. For sure. It actually, as I always like to do,
1:35.0	go all the way back to the beginning, right? Like, okay, like, what is it actually before we decide if we
	...

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